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#DoYouGiveARuck? Brittany's Story

Damien Lee Gilliams Damien Lee Gilliams Follow Jan 29, 2020 · 5 mins read
#DoYouGiveARuck? Brittany's Story
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Good News Sebastian! Today we share a Letter to the Editor written by Brittany Norair of #DYGAR?.

My name is Brittany Norair and this is why I joined DYGAR.

“My name is Brittany Norair and this is why I joined DYGAR. I found out about DYGAR from my friend Jimmy Lee. I saw his social media blowing up about this rucking stuff, which I had no idea what it was about. The more I learned, the more I liked though. So I decided I was going to give a ruck and come out and see what it was all about for the July event. A week before the event I got some really bad news about my back. So the day before the event I messaged Jimmy saying unfortunately I didn’t believe I was gonna be able to ruck but I was going to bring my camera because I wanted to capture what Jimmy and his team were doing and give them something that they could share on their social media.”

"I definitely gave a ruck."

“When I got there I didn’t care about my back pain. I cared about what a great group of people were coming together to do to help their community. With that being said, my addictive personality kicked in immediately and I wanted to be a bigger part of this. I was hooked. I definitely gave a ruck. I rucked 4 miles while taking photos and flying my drone for the first time. It was such a great event.

A few days after the event Jimmy and the Board invited me to the team as the “combat” photographer. No stolen valor here, I am just a civilian.”

"This came at a perfect time for me."

Brittany’s Story

“This came at a perfect time for me. Many people may already know this about me but if you don’t here’s a little background: I am an alcoholic and I had to find that out by losing my marriage and getting two DUIs after loosing my father to a heart attack. This all happened within 4 years. I spiraled all the way down to the basement of my rock-bottom. After my second dui the Indian River court system offered me a program called drug court. This is a program where they try to rehabilitate you in an outpatient setting. I began that journey on 8/22/18, the last day I drank. I am 525 days sober today.

I was very nervous approaching the end of the year long program. I really worried about relapse. I really worried about not having the accountability of the program to keep me sober.

And then just as always God gave me exactly what I needed.”

"... anytime I am struggling or celebrating I have my team, no my family, standing by me."

“Right when I didn’t know what was next, DYGAR showed me what was next. Little did this team know, they were giving me a reason to keep fighting for my sobriety and myself. My love for photography has been renewed. My 12 step of service is been fulfilled. And anytime I am struggling or celebrating I have my team, no my family, standing by me.

"We come from all walks of life. None of our roads were easy, but our journeys are easier together."

You don’t have to be a veteran to be part of us. You don’t have to have PTSD to join us. You can pray to God or to your rifle and we will still welcome you. We come from all walks of life. None of our roads were easy, but our journeys are easier together.

This is why I am part of DYGAR.

So this divorced 34 year old with two DUIs is now sober, saved, a Board Member, and hopeful for the future.”

#doyougivearuck #nooneleftbehind

" Little did this team know, they were giving me a reason to keep fighting for my sobriety and myself."

This has been a Letter to the Editor

We have been moved by your story, Brittany. Thank you for sharing all of this with us and Sebastian. We hope you never stop giving a ruck!

Get Involved! Give a Ruck!

Would you like to get involved with #DoYouGiveARuck? click here to join their Facebook page! They get together often. Make sure you don’t miss their next Ruckus! You can also check out their website https://doyougivearuck.org/ for more information.

Everyone has a story to share

If you have a story you would like to share, reach out and send it to us!

Damien Lee Gilliams
Written by Damien Lee Gilliams Follow
Your Editor-in-Chief and Website Developer. Damien is a Sebastian native and a graduate of University of Florida in Computer Engineering: Digital Arts and Sciences. He founded www.GoodNewsSebastian.com to help promote positive news in his beloved hometown.