Spotlight Recognizing Women Veterans – Kelley Guidry

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affair’ “I Am Not Invisible Campaign” shines a spotlight on women veterans to show the diversity of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This campaigns aims to increase awareness and dialog about women veterans and the myriad levels of expertise possessed by these women warriors.

In the spirit of this campaign, NDVS will begin highlighting amazing women veterans who are living in our state. This month the spotlight shines on Kelley Guidry.     

Guidry is an Air Force veteran and is currently the Co-Founder of the Veteran for Purpose and Forgotten Not Gone, Inc. Her story is one of strength and perseverance in the face of adversity and overcoming it.

During her military service, she was a Vehicle Control Maintenance and Air Force Security Forces Airmen serving in the United States Air Force for 6 ½ years. She was awarded an Accommodation medal for her role in Operation Enduring Freedom from Nellis Air Force Base, 820th Red Horse Squadron, directly following the 911 Terror attacks.

Following a challenging eight-year struggle with the deteriorating health of her disabled veteran husband and her own disability and depression, she was at a breaking point. After a week of unpaid leave from work at the IRS to take her husband to the War Related Illness Clinic, a therapy was prescribed for her husband that would change both their lives.

Kelley and her husband decided to take out a personal loan and purchase the recommended 3-wheel recumbent trike for rehabilitation through Utah Trikes. Utah Trikes gave them a great deal and they were able to purchase two trikes, so they could ride together. The Doctors stated it would help with anxiety, depression and physical recovery. After just 2 months, Kelley saw an amazing recovery with her husband. Peter’s anxiety level had decreased, he was getting physical activity and he had begun to be social again.

Together they realized every veteran should have access to this therapy and any other alternative therapies regardless of whether the VA could provide it or not. Forgotten Not Gone was the answer to how to live without pain, psyche pills and how to have a quality of life after leaving the military.

The Guidry’s goal is to continue to give back, inspire, motivate, serve and breathe hope into fellow veterans who are not forgotten upon their return from home.