JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Lt. Col. (ret) Kim Boehm joined the Air Force in 1997 as a Registered Dietician in the Biomedical Services Corp. then cross-trained into Force Support. Throughout her career, she has received twenty different medals including the Bronze Star and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
In 2017, Boehm was diagnosed with a rare spinal cord tumor. Upon diagnosis she had surgery to remove the mass and although 98% of the tumor was successfully removed, she was left with permanent nerve damage after the operation. It was not until a year after her surgery, in 2018, where she found out about the Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) Program after being nominated. Around the time of nomination to the program, she was also in the beginning stages of the Medical Evaluation Board process.
“I thought the program was only for Airmen wounded in combat and questioned whether or not I qualified for the program, but my doctor assured me I did. I was excited to see what the program could help me with, especially getting moving again,” Boehm said.
Homebound, with limited mobility and energy after her surgery, her Recovery Care Coordinator, Shawn Housley, stepped up and encouraged her to participate in a Caregiver Support, Adaptive Sports and Ambassador Workshop, Recovering Airman Mentorship and Resiliency Programming and Empowerment in Transition (CARE) event.
“Shawn was my link to the Air Force. He called on a regular basis just to see how I was doing and see if I needed help with anything. He knew I was frustrated with my recovery and was the first one to suggest I attend one of the in-person CARE events. His repeated encouragement and friendly nagging finally prevailed, and I signed up for the Adaptive Sports Care Event at Scott AFB,” Boehm said.
Despite her challenges, Kim has continued to rise above and remain optimistic about her journey. Through the AFW2 Program, she has participated in the Adaptive Sports Program where she was awarded the Sportsmanship award. When reflecting upon her first in-person care event, she experienced a multitude of emotions.
“I was completely overwhelmed and terrified when I showed up. Here I was 2 years out from major spinal surgery, learning to walk again, and still couldn’t feel the lower half of my body and I had signed up for the Adaptive Sports program. I wanted to back out so many times, but I met some amazing fellow warriors that really started me on my path to healing. My disabilities weren’t looked down upon and my successes were cheered on by so many,” Boehm said.
It was also at her first event that Boehm had a moment of realization about how the program works. She learned very quickly that she would never be forgotten or left behind and that finishing what she started and building connections is what AFW2 is all about.
“Everyone else crossed the finish line well ahead of me, I was devastated and thought I was crazy for trying and just wanted to turn and leave. But when everyone else finished, they turned and cheered me on, and a couple of fellow warriors and Coach Consuella stayed by my side with me for the remaining rounds. I had felt so left behind during my whole medical journey and it was at this point I knew I wasn’t alone anymore. I literally was teetering on a breakdown right then and there on the track, but my fellow warriors and the coaches gave me strength to keep going. I had little moments like this throughout the entire event, each day I felt more and more confident,” Boehm said.
Her experience with the program has been rewarding in a multitude of ways. Adding on to list of accomplishments, she was recently nominated to become an AFW2 Ambassador to which she shared has been a rewarding experience and hopes to make a difference in someone’s life who may be going through a similar journey. She was inspired after hearing another Ambassador’s testimony and has now shared her own story on virtual platforms reaching over 1.5k people.
“AFW2 has given me a safe place to heal, express myself and be surrounded by people who genuinely care and can completely relate to the challenges I go through during every phase of my journey. I have so much to be thankful for and I know there are so many others out there worse off than me,” Boehm said.
The AFW2 Program continues to display social events every week hosted by warriors, caregivers, and staff members. Tune in to the AFW2 Facebook page to witness our events and stay connected with us. To learn more about the AFW2 Program, or to refer an Airman, visit www.woundedwarrior.af.mil for additional information and resources.