Shown here with 2 of her 4 children, Renée Bertrard is a Veteran who moved to PEI in 2018.
In 2018, Renée Bertrard moved to PEI with her four children. A Veteran, she chose PEI as her family’s new home because she was seeking a quieter, less busy place.
We’ve spoken before to Renée about what it was like transitioning from an serving Military member to a retired Veteran. Checking in, we wanted to see how Renée was doing, settling in to her new home, and how the MFRC has helped with that transition.
PEI MFRC: Hi Renée! It’s so great to chat with you again. Can you talk to us about the role the MFRC has played in your family?
RB: Certainly. The opportunities the MFRC has given us—through the art projects, the activities, gatherings, etc.—it takes us out of our routine…both us and our kids, and allows us to reconnect with our kids in the community. To break the routine, get out, meet new people…it’s great. It offers the kids more opportunities to explore—the glass painting activity for example. We were doing an activity together, chatting with other people, and getting out of our routine and it allowed them to discover a new skill…something we never would have explored on our own.
Renée spoke to us about how some of the programs have been particularly therapeutic for certain members of her family. The horse camp, for example, has helped with ongoing anxiety one of her sons experiences.
RB: It brought him some inner peace. How to deal with emotions and things like that.The MFRC always brought us a little something more to our day-to-day life—whether that’s mental health or interest in general.”
PEI MFRC: That’s so great. I’m curious how you’ve found the MFRC services as a Veteran—can you speak to us about that?
RB: I said last time that the MFRC feels like home. It’s like a friend you haven’t seen in a long time but you know they’re always there. I’ve struggled a bit making the transition from the military to the civilian world, and the MFRC is making that transition easier.
PEI MFRC: How so?
RB: As a Veteran, you can feel lonely, and the MFRC allows you to stay involved with that world you were once connected to. I’m not in the military system anymore and I’m so grateful that Veterans are included… and more and more younger Veterans as well, and the resources that are being offered at the MFRC are so important.
Renee mentioned how she grew up in a military family and wishes the resources available now at the MFRC were available back then.
RB: It certainly would have made things easier.
Thank you for sharing so candidly, Renée. We’re so happy that PEI is treating you well, and that your journey from Military to Veteran (struggles and all) is a supported one. We look forward to seeing you and your family at the MFRC!