The "Recreational" music therapy is just about ready to kick off. I've recruited 2 doctors, 2 peer support specialists, and several other VA staffers to volunteer for the project and I've scrambled among vendors, service organizations and others for donations of equipment and sponsorship. I made it through the background checks and orientations of volunteer service and I've knocked on about every door, in every building on campus. The realization that if I don't do it, it won't get done was my prime motivator.
Starting an actual Therapeutic group within the VA mental health program (officially sanctioned, staffed and budgeted) is going to be a massive undertaking, but starting as a "recreational" group for now has required far less flaming hoops to jump through and allows us to end-run the bureaucracy and kick-start the establishment of the program and hopefully produce positive results.
We're having a "Homecoming" event at the VA in October and my goal is to have an ensemble ready to debut in public by then. The suggestion I made last fall that we start a music "mindfulness" group has grown into more heavy-lifting than I ever imagined, but it's kept me busy and been great personal therapy having a worthwhile project to invest myself in. Its obviously a labor of love and a welcome distraction from my own PTSD.
My love and prayers to you and mom (and Caro too), I've been there, done that with daytime caregivers and night shifts when mom and dad had dementia. I don't envy you but offer major props and huge respect.