At 54 years old, Kesha R. Bruington has lived a life marked by both profound challenges and remarkable resilience. Growing up as a self-described “military brat” she spent her childhood moving frequently between military bases, both in the United States and overseas, as her father served in the U.S. Air Force. Looking back, Kesha views her childhood with fondness.

In 1989, Kesha enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where she served for five years as an Operations Specialist. While her primary role was operational, Kesha discovered her true passion in Public Affairs, working as a writer and photographer for the base newspaper.

“I loved capturing stories—especially those of families reuniting after long deployments. It was heartwarming to witness those moments of pure joy, and I felt honored to be part of them.”

But Kesha’s time in the military wasn’t without its hardships. The traumas she endured would eventually lead her down a difficult path, one she’s still navigating today.

Kesha is now a divorced mother of three children: Aleeya, 28, Andersen, 14, and her late son, Gregory, U.S. National Guard, who tragically passed away in March 2024, at the age of 30 due to a drunk driver.

“Losing Gregory has been the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced. He’s my forever angel, and I carry him with me every day.”

One of the darkest chapters in Kesha’s life began when she was sexually assaulted in the military, a harrowing experience that changed the trajectory of her life as a young sailor. For Kesha, the Military Sexual Trauma (MST) that she endured was a silent burden, one she carried alone for years.

“Back then, MST wasn’t something people talked about. It was hush hush,” Kesha explains. “There was no real support system in place.”

Today, MST remains a serious issue, but there’s more awareness and support for survivors.

“The climate is better now, but it’s still happening. 1 in 5 women in the military experience MST,” Kesha shares. “There is much work to be done but speaking out against it as a survivor and sharing my story will hopefully help a fellow female veteran and or active-duty personnel know that they are not alone.”

A resource that was helpful for Kesha was her local VA’s stand-alone Women’s Clinic – here she started to find the support she needed.

“The Women’s Clinic was a game changer for me,” she says. “It’s a space where women who’ve experienced MST can feel safe and heard. Having that dedicated clinic made all the difference in my healing.”

Kesha didn’t just battle the scars of MST— she also survived domestic violence during her time in the military. These combined traumas, along with the pressures of service, led to severe depression and anxiety, though it would take years before she realized the full extent.

“I was in survival mode for so long,” Kesha admits. “I didn’t realize how bad things were until I started working at a new Human Resources position. My boss at the time was always yelling, and it triggered something inside me. I was constantly in fight-or-flight mode,” she says. “That’s when I started seeing a VA therapist, and I was officially diagnosed with PTSD.”

Kesha remembers resisting it at first. “At the time I did not accept that diagnosis. I struggled for many years, it took some time for me to understand what was happening. All the nightmares, flashbacks and panic attacks now had an official diagnosis I could not accept. I wanted a magic pill to make it all go away but that wasn’t possible.”

“I had to learn that there was no quick fix. My VA therapist took me under her wing, and I began a healing journey 20 years in the making. She said I must do the work to heal. My symptoms were so bad that if felt paralyzing. I was afforded a medical retirement from my job at the age of 35 so that I could focus solely on my mental health. My recovery became a full-time job. I dove in with both feet.”

“Some of the things that really helped me were DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), emotion regulation, 30-day inpatient women’s trauma recovery program for MST, and many other modalities. Many of the modalities, I had to take over and over until they eventually began to help me cope.”

After years of traditional therapy Kesha was referred to recreational therapy. This is how she was first introduced to kayaking. “I immediately felt like this was helpful. I remember feeling so peaceful on the water,” she says.

Although she had kayaked a few times through the VA, Kesha’s true connection to the water was solidified when she joined her local Heroes on the Water chapter. She found out about the organization through a Facebook post and decided to attend one of their events.

“I went alone, and it turned out to be a very therapeutic day for me. So much so that it became my favorite past time,” she says.

That sense of relief became even more profound after Kesha lost her son, Gregory.

“When Gregory passed, I barely left the house. I couldn’t function. But then I got an email about an upcoming HOW event, and I knew I had to get there,” she says. “I made it that Saturday with tears in the welts of my eyes and once I got on the water, I immediately felt relief from my grief. I felt lifted, I felt free and with each paddle I felt lighter.”

One of the things Kesha treasures most about HOW is the sense of community it provides. “The camaraderie is incredible,” she says. “After the morning session, we all sit around in fellowship, share stories, laugh, and enjoy a meal.”

As one of the few women—often the only African American woman—at these chapter events, Kesha never feels out of place. “Everyone makes me feel welcome, included and safe.”

One of her most memorable experiences with HOW came after her son’s death. “At one event, they held a moment of silence for Gregory. I was also presented with a beautiful handmade quilt made by the mother of the chapter coordinator, Patrick. I will treasure the quilt and that moment forever.”

Kesha’s journey is one of resilience, but she knows that healing is an ongoing process. She wants other female veterans to know that they don’t have to suffer in silence.

“You are not alone,” she says firmly. “It’s okay to seek help and treatment, and it’s okay to advocate for a good mental health treatment team. If you don’t feel like you are getting better or if you are not being heard, request another provider. You are worthy of feeling better and having a better quality of life.”

Survivors of MST can receive free, confidential treatment for physical and mental health conditions related to MST, even if they aren’t eligible for other services.

“This is the first time I am able to speak openly about my military sexual trauma and my road to recovery,” she says. “I hope that me sharing my healing journey will help a female veteran speak up, seek support and feel empowered to heal. My journey has been long, but I am grateful for organizations like HOW that continue to provide non-traditional paths to healing.”

For those who may be curious about Heroes on the Water, Kesha has simple advice: “Reach out to your chapter with any questions and then come out for a wonderful day of fishing, kayaking, fellowship, and a delicious meal. You will go home feeling lighter and lifted.”

Be part of something transformative and healing—join or support the Heroes on the Water community.