Project Healing Waters with program lead Joseph Parente



Segment 3, March 23rd, 2024

Many times on the Carolina Outdoors we talk about how the outdoors helps heal.  Whether it being taking on the Appalachian Trail after a job loss or divorce.  Maybe it’s taking on Kilimanjaro or another tall bucket-list mountain after a cancer diagnosis. Recent guests on the program have spoken about the outdoors aiding with anxiety, depression, & anxiousness.

But what about returning combat veterans?  How do they use sport & the outdoors to sooth their pains?
Joseph Parente, program leader for the Charlotte-area’s Project Healing waters joins host Bill Bartee, to talk about how Fly Fishing works in regards to healing the wounds of combat veterans.
Show Highlights:

  • Project Healing Waters began in 2005 at Walter Reed Army Hospital
  • It is now nationwide
  • How the waters on a fly fishing trip helps sooth the soul?
  • Project Healing Waters includes comradery & combats loneliness.
  • Activities include fishing, casting, fly tying, & share time for vets
  • Needs are qualified veterans, volunteers, monetary donation, & property with fishing water (Ponds, lakes, streams)

Things You’ll Learn by Listening:

Project Healing Waters can get qualified veterans that are dealing with both emotional, concussive, & physical challenges.  The physical includes adaptive additions to enable holding a rod for an amputee, to choosing a stream or boat that handles a wheelchair, and other ways to overcome reasons not to fly fish.

Contact Project Healing Waters by typing in Charlotte, online & Facebook.

The Carolina Outdoors is powered by the Charlotte fly shop, Jesse Brown’s