Like many young girls growing up in the 1980s, Christina Rogers’s career aspirations began when she set her sights on becoming an astronaut. But as she got older, she knew that she wanted to find a way to give back and serve those around her. She explored a degree in education before finding her place as an X-ray technician, staying in that field for more than 12 years.
Her path changed, however, after her husband Allen was injured in the military. The stress of caring for her husband, working overnight shifts, and maintaining a household of their combined five children became too much. Christina’s body suffered from the stress and it took her several years to physically heal.
“During the healing process, I knew I wasn’t ready to retire,” Christina says. “I began leading support groups for Military Caregivers through a national non-profit and went back to school. I earned my degree in Deaf studies. I thought I wanted to be an interpreter, but while I could sign easily, I struggled to interpret it. I went on to earn a bachelor’s in psychology through SNHU. I worked for 3.5 years as a Casework Manager for a national nonprofit before officially joining the Summit BHC Tactical Recovery team.”
We spoke with Christina about her work with the Tactical Recovery program and how caregiving fits into that.
What does it mean to be a caregiver through the Veterans Administration?
I finally became an official VA Caregiver in 2015. It wasn’t easy. Being a VA Caregiver isn’t just about a paycheck. Stepping into this role was a huge decrease in my annual salary as a Radiographer. As a VA Caregiver, the VA providers and staff look to me to help supplement information on my husband’s medical needs and history. Memory issues and pride often prevent him from being honest. As a Caregiver, I am more worried about his health and safety than pride. I am allowed to assist him in making appointments and ensuring he gets the care he needs.
How does being a caregiver lend itself to your position as National Veterans Services Coordinator for Summit BHC’s Tactical Recovery Program?
Being a Caregiver allows me to really connect with the Veterans I serve as a National Veterans Services Coordinator for Summit BHC’s Tactical Recovery Program. The Veterans I work with know that I understand the process. They know that I have a true connection with them and I am not just here treating them as a number. I see them, I get them, and I understand who they are.
How did you get involved with Veterans?
I have a deep family history with the military. Both of my grandfathers served in World War Two (Air Force and Navy). My dad’s cousin was in Vietnam and, to this day, deals with the side effects of Agent Orange Exposure. My husband served more than 17 years in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and my son-in-law was in the Marines.
How does Tactical Recovery help Veterans across the country?
The Tactical Recovery Program wants to ensure that veterans needing mental health or substance abuse treatment have access to the care they earned. Our team is unique in that we all have a military affiliation. We are all Psych Armor Certified and annually take courses to stay current on the military and first responder community. Our Tactical Recovery Program is so good at what we do because we all have first-hand experience.
What do you think is a misconception about Veterans and their need for mental health treatment?
Veterans often feel concerned about appearing weak when admitting they need help, even though seeking help is actually a sign of strength. There is also a common misconception that residential mental health treatment involves sitting in a room with four white walls for the entire duration of care. However, at Summit, we recognize that while the diagnosis may be similar, the treatment approach may vary for each individual.
In addition to her position as National Veterans Services Coordinator for Tactical Recovery, Christina is a 47-year-old mother to three children (28, 20, 19) and two bonus children (29, 22). She is also a proud grandma to two new grandsons and is a step g-ma to two more. She has AA degrees in Liberal Arts, Radiologic Sciences, and Deaf studies and a BA in Psychology. She has been an official VA Caregiver since 2017.
“I am proud to state that I have met and worked personally with Dr. Colleen Richardson, the head of the VA Caregiver program, in Washington, DC. I have always strived to show my children that life changes and it may not work out how you planned it. That doesn’t mean you can’t change the plan. I feel I am an excellent example of this.”
