SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. —
Many Airmen go through deep, personal challenges–few go on stage to share these stories in hopes that others can learn. That is exactly what the Airmen at the Storytellers event decided to do here last Friday.
Storytellers, hosted by the Scott Air Force Base Resilience Office, is a forum for Airmen to not only share, but listen and relate to where each other has been and how the other got through it.
Katie Thaxton, Scott AFB Integrated Resilience Office prevention chief, opened the event with a few words.
“These four individuals are up here to tell you their stories not for you to feel bad for them, and not for your pity.” she said. “They’re here to remind you that there is hope, and if you’re struggling, that you’re not alone. They’re here to give you that message of hope, and they’re still here, so they got through it, and so can you.”
Master Sgt. Topher Slade, 345th Recruiting Squadron first sergeant, spoke about multiple physical and emotional events in his life. “I realized that I had been sexually assaulted,” said Slade.
Had it not been for the people who surrounded him and looked out for him, he might not be here to tell his story today.
“You know that expression ‘between a rock and a hard place?’ For me the rock was this feeling I had in my chest…knowing that I had possibly sacrificed my livelihood and my career,” Slade said. “I’d been thinking about the trajectory of this bullet for so long, that I could feel the sight from the front of the gun scratching my teeth.”
He hoped the Storytellers event would help others, no matter how big or small the challenges they are facing. “When we share our stories–we’re more vulnerable with people when we trust people…it gives them an opportunity to feel supported.”
Senior Airman Jamaree Jackson, 375th Air Mobility Command A3/10 executive administrative support technician, wasn’t expecting to become a father, and during the early stages of raising his son with his partner, he had to deal with being falsely accused of crimes he didn’t commit. Ultimately, he spent time in jail due to what she said, which was later proven to be false. Thanks to his determination and support, he was able to represent himself in court, gain custody of his son and start a new chapter.
“I was not raised to be vengeful. Just because she did something to me, does not mean she doesn’t love her son,” said Jackson. “I don’t want his mom out of his life, he loves his mom.”
Master Sgt. Josephine Santana, 635th Supply Chain Operation Wing Nuclear Weapons-Related Materiel transaction control cell superintendent, spent 15 years overseas and felt the pain of missing many family milestones. Between her grandmother passing away, her mother’s addiction issues and her father becoming extremely ill, Santana, who always considered herself a provider for her family, struggled with an immense sense of guilt. Santana was pushed to the edge and almost didn’t make it.
“Thank God somebody sent me a text message because it completely made me lose focus. I was seconds away from jumping off that balcony…my foot was on the railing,” Santana struggled to say.
The support she received from her team was what helped her recover. “I needed to have trust in my team, to be vulnerable with my team, and let them know that I needed to take a knee,” Santana said. She explained that she needed to trust that she trained her team well enough that they could hold the baton while she took a break.
The final story was shared by the Integrated Resilience Office director, who oversaw the entire event.
“Don’t get me wrong. I love you and I miss you. Nothing can change that. I’m also mad as hell, sad as hell, that you thought you had no other choice but to end your pain by removing yourself from the equation,” said a teary-eyed Jeziorske.
John Jeziorske, 375th Air Mobility Wing Integrated Resilience Office integrated prevention and response director
John Jeziorske, 375th Air Mobility Wing Integrated Resilience Office integrated prevention and response director, led with “Every Airman does have a story, I would even argue every Airman has multiple stories.”
Jeziorske detailed the immense loss he’s felt since his younger brother committed suicide. It was especially impactful since his job is to help and look out for people and prevent that exact thing from happening. He never shared this story with strangers prior to this.
As part of his healing process, Jeziorske wrote a letter to his late brother and he read a portion of it to the audience.
“Don’t get me wrong. I love you and I miss you. Nothing can change that. I’m also mad as hell, sad as hell, that you thought you had no other choice but to end your pain by removing yourself from the equation,” said a teary-eyed Jeziorske.
He ended with a statement from the letter that echoed Storytellers goal of resilience and support.
“If even one person hears this and decides to get help versus taking their life…if one person decides to check on somebody they’re worried about, then it was worth it. I love you and I miss you, Rob.”
