The Rockstar and the Warrior
In June of 2012, Rick Allen of Def Leppard and John Roberts of Wounded Warrior Project came together to share their stories and help others with PTSD. The campaign, nicknamed "The Rockstar and the Warrior" has the humble goal to normalize PTSD and to reduce the stigma. PTSD does not discriminate and is not just a military condition. PTSD is a perfectly normal reaction to a traumatic situation.
Rick and John have been interviewed by radio and tv shows all over the nation and they continue on their path.
Here are a few of the interviews:
KFAB RadioWGN RadioSummary:
The Rockstar and the Warrior
After a visit to Walter Reed Military hospital in 2006, Allen decided to focus his non-profit on helping veterans due to the strong connection he felt and the obvious need. While visiting the hospital, Allen met several amazing warriors who would later become WWP staff. Fast forward 2 years and Rick is reunited with one of these warriors and the relationship between Allen’s nonprofit and WWP officially begins. As co-programs are building, Allen and Roberts meet. They were different in all aspects including where they are from, their careers, their goals. However, after their accidents, their lives looked remarkably similar. The self-destructive behavior, anger, and the fact that they did not see themselves as the men we were before, but how with the help of those closest to them and that supported them despite themselves, they have come to understand what their new life or "New Normal" is. They are now stronger for what they experienced and are able to share that strength with others that are now suffering and have yet to fine their "New Normal." They have both been there and we have both self-medicated to numb the pain in their own ways and they also shut themselves off from those closest to us at times, or they put on an act that they were fine when in reality they were not.
Bio John Roberts
John Roberts served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 14 years. He was injured in a helicopter crash in March of 1992 and sustained third degree burns to 80% of his body. After spending a year in a burn unit at Brooks Army Medical Center and two years in physical therapy, John started his new mission to help fellow warriors. In his current position, John oversees all of WWP's mental health and family support programs.
Bio Rick Allen
Rick Allen became the drummer for Def Leppard at age 15. At the height of worldwide fame in 1984, he had a car accident that changed his life. Rick lost an arm, but turned personal tragedy into spiritual transformation and continued his musical career. While he was already a hero to millions of young people, he soon added millions of new admirers. Since then Rick has been reaching out and giving support to others all over the globe by sharing his personal experiences and his love of drumming. Over the past 12 years Rick has reached out to teenage cancer patients, children with special needs, at risk youth in crisis, families of domestic violence and veterans who have served in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was awarded the Humanitarian Award by Maria Shriver’s Best Buddies of CA and continues his work through the Veteran Resiliency Project created by his nonprofit the Raven Drum Foundation.
About WWP
The mission of WWP is to "Honor and Empower Wounded Warriors." We define a wounded warrior as a service member or veteran who incurred a wound, injury or illness of the mind or body in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001.
About the Veteran Resiliency Project
The Veteran Resiliency Project provides a variety of programs that support veterans and their families as they learn to live with the personal impacts of war and separation. These programs guide participants and give them somatic and contemplative tools that bring the body and mind to a place of rest and balance.
About The Raven Drum Foundation
Raven Drum Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by Rick Allen, drummer for Def Leppard, and Lauren Monroe, musician and healer. Raven Drum's mission is to serve, educate and empower veterans and people in crisis. The foundation engages music as a tool for healing allowing participants to use rhythm as a form of release, an avenue for empowerment and a means to connect to others. Through the foundation’s acclaimed Resiliency Radio radio show with Rick Allen and special guests, thousands are reached around the globe.
