Sr. Ann Catherine Veierstahler, SCSJA, RN, BSN

   My life has been featured in both newspapers and magazines.  My professional life has included working as a Registered Nurse in a refuge camp in Cambodia with the Red Cross, serving as a Nursing Home Administrator, starting clinics for the homeless in Milwaukee, and creating programs to meet the needs of persons with mental illness in boarding homes.
   I presently spend the majority of my time since I retired volunteering at Milwaukee's VA Hospital and at various community veterans programs.
   I also devote my time and skills to my website www.hopetohealing.com that collects stories about how people have addressed their mental health care needs successfully.  The website shares stories of individuals’ successes despite the many challenges of mental illness in order to offer hope to persons still struggling with mental illness and to help overcome the stigma of mental illness by educating the public.
   My own story can be found on my website.  As a member of Al-anon for many years, I use the 12 step program in my own life and know firsthand the challenges of addictive behaviors.
   I have received many awards for my programs and innovations in empowering people to meet their needs and lead very enriching and meaningful lives.  Among my awards include the Mental Health Association Consumer Advocacy Award and several awards from NAMI including the Adult Services Award.
   As the eldest of eight children, I learned the meaning of service through the faith and example of my parents, Frank John and Katherine Hipp Veierstahler.  Although financial resources were limited, my parents were very involved in their local faith community, in the education of their children and in service projects with their children starting when we were young.
    I continued on my pathway of service inspired by the Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida who taught me at St. Joan Antida High School.  Through their quiet and humble example, the sisters taught the importance of service to the students.  After high school, I became a Sister of Charity of St. Joan Antida.
   I completed my nursing education at Alverno College where holistic health care was emphasized.  This was an ideal education since most of my career as a nurse was spent working in nursing homes and other community settings where I could provide physical, social, spiritual and mental health care for the residents in a home like setting.
   Providing this diary to the public has brought much healing and some closure to my time spent in the Cambodian Refugee Camp.  Although no one can ever go back to correct the situation there, it is important to raise awareness of the consequences of war - and maybe prevent future wars.
   Pictures are powerful expressions of life and behind each picture is a story - stories that are only known to the people in the photos.
   If this diary touches the heart of even one person to realize we are all one in the world, the mission of this website and diary will be accomplished.
   The goal is to provide hope and healing for the present and future - a time filled with peace.