{"id":7887,"date":"2025-04-19T18:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-19T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7887"},"modified":"2025-04-19T18:30:00","modified_gmt":"2025-04-19T18:30:00","slug":"veteran-finds-purpose-with-immersive-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7887","title":{"rendered":"Veteran finds purpose with immersive technology"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2025-04-19T18:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

U.S. Army Veteran Dennis Wagner found himself living in a new area and in a deepened state of depression after his wife passed away. \u201cI just wouldn\u2019t do anything,\u201d he said, which significantly impacted his quality of life and the chronic pain he was experiencing.<\/p>\n

Wagner found himself rarely leaving the house or seeing others\u2014something that changed when he started participating in group virtual reality (VR) sessions during recreation therapy at the Indianapolis VA alongside Veteran peers.<\/p>\n

Veterans come together during these sessions to use immersive technology for wellness, pain relief and mental health challenges. When Wagner started participating in these sessions, his life completely changed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve taken my existence on this earth from a zero to a 50 out of 10,\u201d he shared. \u201cI can\u2019t tell you how much it\u2019s meant to me. It\u2019s phenomenal.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Discovering VR at VA<\/h2>\n

Wagner first heard about VR group sessions through yoga classes and recreational therapy at VA. After discussing a flyer for VR in one of his classes, he became intrigued and signed up. His first experience with VR was \u201cunbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was mind-blowing because I chose a roller coaster,\u201d he recalled. \u201cIt was so intense, and the graphics were phenomenal.\u201d<\/p>\n

He quickly saw benefits from using immersive technology, both mentally and physically. \u201cI can do more physical activities in a safe way,\u201d he explained. \u201cThe pain level is very manageable when using VR.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finding a new purpose\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Perhaps the biggest benefit that Wagner has found from the VR group sessions is a new purpose in life. After living in isolation for some time, he has discovered something that motivates and encourages him. This includes improving his hygiene, having a better headspace that allows him to get out of bed, shower, and take healthier care of himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s gotten me out of the house. I have a purpose of getting out and bettering myself,\u201d he said. \u201cWhether it\u2019s exercising, strengthening my core, yoga\u2026 it gives me a chance to get out. I want to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Creating a community<\/h2>\n

In addition to improvements in his mental and physical well-being, Wagner has experienced another important benefit from group VR sessions: a sense of community. Veterans find connection in these sessions and are reminded that they are not alone in their physical, mental and emotional struggles.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Veterans, no matter if it\u2019s Navy, Marine, Air Force, Army, or Coast Guard, they all help one another. We share information, and that network is very important,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The connections Wagner has made in group VR sessions have grown into friendships outside of VA. \u201cI have friends now, and they come over to my house,\u201d he said. \u201cThey help me with shopping, certain things I can\u2019t lift, and cooking. We play cards. Recreation Therapist Amanda Swinea has also been instrumental in helping me socially adapt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wagner would encourage Veterans who are hesitant about VR to give it a try. \u201cThere are some people in my group VR sessions now that I\u2019ve been in other groups with\u2014I try to pass it on as much as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

VA has deployed over 3,700 VR headsets across more than 170 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics in all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa with over 40 documented use cases and over 10,000 Veteran experiences to date. To learn more, visit the VA Immersive website<\/a> and watch the YouTube playlist<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a>. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Thanks to group virtual reality and immersive technology sessions, Veteran Dennis Wagner has found purpose and community after his wife\u2019s passing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":339,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7887","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-u-s-veterans-news"],"yoast_head":"\nVeteran finds purpose with immersive technology - Its Veterans<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Thanks to group virtual reality and immersive technology sessions, Veteran Dennis Wagner has found purpose and community after his wife\u2019s passing.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7887\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Veteran finds purpose with immersive technology - 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