James Childs was on the brink of self-destruction and suicide when he got a life-changing phone call from Mary Dague.
James returned home after 33 months in Iraq and Afghanistan, but his fight wasn't over. He continued to battle PTSD, and the debilitating disease left him without the will to live. In April, he posted a goodbye note on Facebook, and stopped answering his email and his phone.
By chance, fellow veteran Mary Dague found out about James through a mutual friend, who told her about James' farewell. Mary served in the military for more than five years, and lost both of her arms when a bomb detonated. She is also a breast cancer survivor.
Even though she didn't know James, she picked up the phone and contacted him endlessly until he finally returned her call two hours later.
And from then on, the two became fast friends, and talked for hours not just the first time they spoke, but every time after that, too.
Kleenex sponsored Mary and James's first emotional in-person meeting just outside of Seattle. They were even able to spend the day together.
James credits Mary for saving his life. Now, thanks to her, he is in specialized therapy and managing his PTSD. He's even studying to become a motorcycle technician!
Please SHARE if you found this reunion deeply moving, and want to honor a veteran you know!
