For veterans like Mario, it’s a reminder that the battles they face don’t always end when they leave the battlefield. 

Too often, veterans find themselves slipping through the cracks of the system they fought to protect, left to navigate a complex world of chronic pain, mental health struggles, and unmet needs.

Mario served for nearly 20 years in the Marine Corps and faced injuries that would have sidelined most, yet he kept going, determined to fulfill his duty — to serve, to fight, and to protect his brothers and sisters in arms. But even the most dedicated warrior can’t fight alone, and there comes a point when the wounds of war, both physical and emotional, become too much to carry.

Mario enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was young, full of ambition and a desire to serve. “When I was younger, I wanted to be an architect, to build people’s dreams,” he recalls. “But then I joined JROTC in high school, and that gave me insight into military life, responsibility, and leadership. That’s when I made the decision to join the Marine Corps.”

His first assignment was with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines. Three months after arriving, he was deployed to Iraq, just as his daughter, Ariana, was born. “My daughter was just a few months old and I had to leave right after. That was hard. But it motivated me to keep pushing through and get back to her,” Mario shared.

His first deployment, spent in the aftermath of the intense battles of Fallujah, tested him in ways he couldn’t have imagined. Seven months in a war zone left its mark on him, but it wasn’t until a training accident back in California that the true weight of his injuries began to take shape. During a training exercise where he was repelling from a tower, Mario slipped, and while the rope caught him as he fell, his back hit the wall, followed by his head. “That was my first big injury,” he says, reflecting on the moment that changed everything.

At first, Mario thought the pain would fade, that it was just a minor injury that would heal with time. But as the years passed, the pain only intensified. His back, neck, and shoulders ached constantly. Migraines became a near-daily companion. “I was told to suck it up,” he says, the familiar refrain of many veterans who push through their injuries. “So that’s what I did. I kept going. But eventually, it catches up.”

Deployments to Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2014 only made things worse. Mario underwent multiple spinal surgeries, and the pain persisted, affecting every aspect of his life. He began to lose interest in the things that once brought him joy. His once vibrant, outgoing personality dimmed as he struggled with depression and the isolation that often accompanies chronic pain. “Life was good. I had zero issues before my medical conditions,” he admits. “But after my injuries, I became bitter, depressed, and lacked motivation. I lost interest in everything.”

Even after nearly two decades of service, Mario found himself unable to work due to the pain. “I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t even enjoy time with my kids, who are my whole world,” he said. “I just wanted to make up for lost time with them, especially after being away for so many years.”

Despite his sacrifices, Mario found that the care he needed wasn’t always available. Here was a veteran who had served his country with honor but couldn’t find the help he deserved. And that’s where Chive Charities stepped in.

When Mario reached out, Chive Charities was able to provide a solution — not just a temporary fix, but a lifeline. Our donors helped fund a new Tempur-Pedic mattress and a massage chair, a gift that would help Mario find relief from the constant pain that had become a part of his daily life.

The mattress, designed to support his back and alleviate pressure, will allow him to finally get the rest he needs. The massage chair will help reduce the need for physical therapy and offer him a way to manage his pain more effectively at home. (Mario continues to receive treatments, including radio frequency ablations and epidural steroid injections, to manage his pain.)

For Mario, these gifts weren’t just physical comforts; they were a way to regain a sense of normalcy. 

With the support of Chive Charities and its community of donors, Mario is finally able to take a step forward. The total impact of that support was $15,879 – but to Mario, it goes well beyond a number.

Mario, and so many other veterans like him, have given everything for their country, and yet too often, they are left to navigate a system that doesn’t always have their best interests at heart. But with the help of Chive Charities and its supporters, Mario is beginning to reclaim the life he fought for — not just for himself, but for his family as well.

By donating, you’ve demonstrated with your words and actions how grateful we are for their service and sacrifice. Mario should be able to have his needs covered – he earned it – but unfortunately, too many slip through the cracks. Thankfully, there’s an organization like Chive Charities and people like you who exist to step in when others step aside. 

“The struggle is real,” he said with a smile. “We all know it. We all serve knowing we might not come back. We all serve knowing we might not be normal for the rest of our lives. But we all serve willingly.

“I feel like if you’re in the military and doing it because you believe in something, that’s all that matters. At the end of the day, it’s very rewarding.”

Mario’s journey is far from over, but thanks to the generosity of our Chive Charities donors, he’s taking one step at a time toward healing. It’s a reminder that even when the cards are stacked against you, there are still people willing to step in and make a difference. 

The struggle is real. It’s part of all our lives. But helping those when they need it most is real, too. Thanks for being part of that life-changing movement with us. And if you aren’t a donor yet, we’re always looking for more people to stand alongside us. Ten percent happier, until the end. DONATE HERE