Courtesy Photo | (Photo courtesy Fort Cavazos SRU) Samples of the glass blowing work at an adaptive...... read more read more
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FALLS CHURCH Va.- Glass blowing is an art form that’s been around since the first century BC. The process is basically the same today with a bonus, healing therapy. Soldiers at our Fort Cavazos Soldier Recovery Unit went on a journey to heal through this ancient art. “This AR event is focused on allowing them to take some respite time away from their normal daily routine of appointments and other responsibilities and have a chance to go out and experience something new and introduce them to activities they can do on their own with family and friends,” said Fort Cavazos Adaptive Reconditioning Specialist, Natalie Sanderson who set up this event in Waco Texas.
Sanderson goes on to explain that healing through learning a complex skill takes the Soldiers focus off medical issues and helps create confidence and beauty. Sgt 1st Class Robert Oliveras couldn’t believe how his focused changed with a trip to a glass blowing establishment in Waco with his SRU.
“It was fun and very interesting to see the glass blower doing the manipulating of the glass which at the time was no more than sand. They gave us a chance to blow into the tube to give it the actual shape and they kept manipulating it and twisting it and twirling it in and gave it the exact shape that we were looking for. It was cool! It was more than just colored glass,” said Oliveras, who is a Soldier in recovery due to a head and hip injury.
Oliveras credits the myriads of programs at the Fort Cavazos SRU in helping maintain his sanity and improve his health. “Basically, you don’t sit in your room. These activities take your mind off the pain and your issues when you embrace them, like the glass blowing but there is so much more,” said Oliveras.
The fourteen SRU’s around the country offer a variety of ways for Soldiers to heal, many of them through partnerships within their communities. According to geographic location adaptive reconditioning events can range from snowboarding to equine therapy, to ocean paddle boarding to name a few.
Sanderson shares this importance of these partnered events for a Soldiers recovery. “Definitely the partnerships that we have across the area are a huge help. Our community partners are offering our Soldiers more opportunities. Especially with specific things like glass blowing, we want to create that partnership and rapport with them so that we can continue to provide Soldiers these great experiences outside the SRU.”
Glass blowing was not on Olivera’s radar, but Sanderson said he was eager to try new things to help succeed in all areas of recovery. Some he’s done multiple times. “He participated in both of our glassblowing events and both times expressed how much he really enjoyed it. I saw he was super involved with the activity,” said Sanderson who hopes more Soldiers will get involved with an SRU when they are in need.
Oliveras said he knows it’s the hardest thing to reach out for help. “I was one of those Soldiers. I'd always try to push through my pain and say it’ll get better tomorrow, but sometimes tomorrow never comes because of the pain that you're enduring. If you're in pain for whatever reason, be it physical, mental, or spiritual, it's a good thing to reach out to your command.”
Proud of his progress Oliveras gladly shares his experience at Fort Cavazos and in the surrounding community. “I really enjoy the time away, seeing new places around Texas. I enjoyed the last glassblowing event and was glad I could participate again. All these new opportunities have really helped me throughout my recovery.”
| Date Taken: | 03.06.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.07.2025 09:04 |
| Story ID: | 492177 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, It’s more than just colored glass, by MaryTherese Griffin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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