Her newly published memoir, Brass & Unity, tells the story of one woman’s service in Afghanistan. She wrote this book to deal with her struggle with stress after her trauma.
Five years after her first stint, Canadian veteran Kelsey Schellen has finally published her story.
“For me, writing was more of a liberation than an intention to write a book or a film or whatever. It was about how I could help myself.” She told Global magazine, “This is BC,” he said.
Sent to Afghanistan as a 19-year-old artilleryman, Sheren suffered brain damage and post-traumatic stress disorder from his experiences on the front lines.
“When I went to retrieve the body during the shootout, it felt like the lights in my brain were switched off,” Schellen said.
“I didn’t feel any more emotion. I didn’t have patience or compassion anymore. It was straight anger.”
Since then, Schellen has become an advocate for helping men and women in uniform get the help they need, fueled by the efforts of some nonprofits.
“You can’t keep telling veterans to do XYZ and expect different results. said.
Sheren’s personal journey to recovery began eight years ago, when she made jewelry on her kitchen table as a form of art therapy.
A portion of the sales of the Brass & Unity line is now donated to the rehabilitation of veterans and paramedics. She has also created a podcast that provides discussions for many others in need of help.
“I have professional athletes, actors and crazy people I never thought I would be in the same room with. Show me how you did it so I can,” said Shellen.
Now her story may reach an even wider audience. Actor Neal McDonough has secured the TV and film rights to her story.
“This is a story of hope,” Sheren said. “So that our future generations can understand how we are doing this right. How can we be cured? How can we be better?”
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