I met Robert “BJ” Jackson the same way many people meet in the 21st century: Facebook. We had multiple friends in common, lived in the same neighborhood, attended the same events and commented on the same posts in our community page, but we never really had a chance to meet face-to-face.

So, why not send over a friend request? BJ and I were friends on Facebook for about 18 months, even exchanged private messages back and forth, until we decided to meet for coffee at 407 Café in January. It was during coffee that I got to hear his story – who he is, what drives him, and who he strives to be on a daily basis.

BJ, as he is known, was an Army Specialist in the 186th Military Police Company. According to his biography on fairwaysforwarriors.org, “On August 7, 2003, BJ was driving a Humvee with other soldiers through Baghdad. The vehicle triggered a roadside bomb, and a thick, black smoke cloud billowed, while the soldiers were besieged by insurgents firing AK-47s. BJ was trapped in the burning wreckage.

“Several hours lapsed as soldiers fought off the insurgents, created cover-fire and worked to extract BJ from his vehicle to transport him to safety. He was then airlifted to an Iraqi field hospital for immediate care, then to Kuwait, and finally to Germany for additional treatment.

“After being stabilized, he arrived at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas on August 12th. Over the first five days, Jackson received 25 units of blood. To help the healing process, he was placed in a medically-induced coma. He remained in a drug induced coma for 6-weeks. Jackson lost both legs below the knee, and suffered severe burns on his arms, legs and back, and flash burns on his face and head. He spent nearly 50 days in the post burn unit.”

After enduring many surgeries and skin grafts, most would give up and throw in the towel. Not BJ! He took his circumstances and near-death experience and turned them into a positive experience for himself, his family and our military veterans across the United States.

Since being wounded, he has been committed to helping others understand that they can overcome the odds and that they do not need to limit themselves because of their injuries. He helped build the foundation of national organizations that are assisting our nation’s veterans. He has managed many international, national, and local nonprofit programs and has been a national spokesperson for the past 12 years. He also takes pride in saying he has been a keynote/motivational speaker at more than 200 events. This has gotten him worldwide media coverage, ranging from Oprah, Fox & Friends, Geraldo, and Neil Cavuto to media outlets in countries such as Germany, Switzerland and France to name a few.

After moving from Iowa to Orlando with his family, BJ now serves as a National Board Member and is the National Spokesperson for Fairways for Warriors.

Fairways for Warriors provides hope, healing and camaraderie for combat wounded-veterans and families. Currently, one in five veterans is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Through the game of golf, BJ has found that veterans receive physical, cognitive, emotional and social benefits, such as improving motor skills, increasing focus and attention, assisting with managing stress, and bringing about meaningful relationships to improve the veterans’ overall lifestyle.

Golf, while frustrating for many, provides a bridge to combat veterans to the realities of being home with their loved ones, and Fairways for Warriors is more than just a game of golf.

Founded in 2011 by Tom Underdown, Fairways for Warriors provides golf instruction and clinics, but also includes support to the veterans and their families as well. Families are encouraged to be part of the process by participating in golf activities; however, Fairways for Warriors also offers therapy for PTSD, anger management, marriage counseling and financial counseling, as well as helping veterans write resumes and how to access their veteran benefits.

On May 21, Fairways for Warriors opened their Orlando Training and Life Center, just south of Lake Nona. The new center is an 8,000-square-foot facility that houses a counseling center, a 40’x20’ putting green, chipping and full swing area, a golf simulator, a club repair workshop and a Warrior Fit workout area with a focus on golf training and fitness.

On the opening of the new Training and Life Center, BJ says that it will “save lives, marriages and families.”

Visit www.fairwaysforwarriors.org for more information and to learn how you can make a difference in our veterans and their family’s lives.