“This program is giving me hope,” he says. “It’s okay to think you’re a little messed up, because you can get better. It’s not the end.”
For years, David Vaughn lived his dream as a police officer, serving his community and answering his calling. But in a moment, everything changed. A traffic accident left him with severe injuries, leading to five surgeries and months of painful recovery. But the hardest part wasn’t just the physical toll…it was feeling forgotten.
“I equate it to being in the military, being injured and sent home, and then nobody speaking to you or checking in on you,” David shares. “I was willing to give anything and everything for that career, and you get nothing in return.”
The weight of the accident took a toll on his family and his mind. Guilt crept in, convincing him that maybe it was his fault. For a year, he minimized what had happened. Overtime he realized just how much it had truly affected him and his family.
That’s when he found Shields & Stripes.
His first conversation with the team was eye-opening. “It was the first time I saw that people actually cared about people like me – that we’re not just a number.” Through the Shields & Stripes Program, David is finding his strength again, mentally and physically.
In David’s Own Words…
In this video, David Vaughn shares his story and experiences with Shields and Stripes.
Shields & Stripes Impact
To view more stories from alumni of the program and to see the impact it brings to all those involved.
