From Adversity to Volunteerism: An Inspiring Angel Story
December 12, 2024
At just 11 years old, a life-altering health crisis forever changed the course of Denise Bautista’s life. “I was at school when I suddenly felt very sick and fell down a flight of stairs,” she recalls. What followed was a harrowing series of events that would lead to a two-week coma, years of medical challenges, and a lifelong determination to make a difference as a volunteer.
Her resilient health journey
“When I woke up from the coma, I had short-term memory loss, which I still have today at 54,” she shares.
Between the ages of 11 and 18, she spent a cumulative year in the hospital battling diabetes and a host of unexplained symptoms. In fact, her doctor told her should would not live past 25. Despite taking up to 12 insulin shots a day, her body remained unpredictable. “Doctors couldn’t understand how I could become so sick so quickly,” she says.
By 25, she was ready to face her prognosis. “I was ready to meet God, but I wasn’t prepared to live,” she admits. She survived 25, but more medical challenges began to arise. Allergies, falling asleep in the middle of activities… the list of strange symptoms went on and on. Denise became determined to find answers – and started advocating for herself. She interviewed doctor after doctor until she found Dr. Michelle Stookey, who embraced her case as a mystery to solve.
“Dr. Stookey ran extensive tests and discovered that I have a genetic condition where part of my DNA is missing. This causes my immune system to attack my body,” she explains.
This revelation brought clarity to years of confusion and pain, as well as a comprehensive treatment plan involving an insulin pump and daily medications to manage her autoimmune diseases. It was a relief to finally know what was happening and how to treat it, but it didn’t mean her health challenges were over. Eventually, her doctor told her that her body could no longer handle the stress of her career. After years of working 40-60 hours a week in the 911 dispatch center entering information into the system and setting up traces for abducted children, she had to retire.
“I went home and went crazy because I can’t handle not doing anything,” Denise said laughing. Her job was one that she loved because she got to help people, so her next step was to find some other way of feeding that passion.
A mission to serve
Denise decided to do some research to find purpose – a way to help others that was less stressful on her body. She was very adamant about choosing a credible nonprofit where the money actually went towards supporting those they serve. She wanted to support Service Members and Veterans because her stepfather served. After 2.5 months of research, she found Soldiers’ Angels and has been an Angel volunteer with us for over 10 years!
Over the years, Denise has written thousands of cards to Service Members and Veterans. She has also been a team leader and a mentor to new Angels. Her service didn’t stop at Soldiers’ Angels though. She also discovered Reboot Recovery, a faith-based program offering trauma and PTSD counseling to Veterans for free. She continues to facilitate these courses, combining her lived experience with PTSD through her many illnesses with a deep desire to help others heal.
Despite stepping back from mentoring due to health constraints, she remains active with Soldiers’ Angels.
“I still send 20 to 100 cards a month and help where I can,” she says. “I won’t quit until I’m dead,” she affirms with a laugh.
Stories from over the years
When you write 20-100 cards a month, there are bound to be people who write you back. One story that sticks out for Denise is from an Honor Flight. When Denise writes cards for Honor Flights, she usually tells the story of her Stepfather, who was spit on and almost trampled when he came home.
“I include that to let them know how much I appreciate them and how much I know it means for them to be appreciated,” she says.
Well, one year, an entire Honor Flight wrote a letter back to her, and they all signed the letter!
“They said that I will never know how much that meant to them.”
Words of wisdom
Since she is no longer able to mentor, we asked Denise to share some words of wisdom for Angels (or future Angels). Here’s what she said:
“Be yourself. Don’t worry about what you’re saying other than just be positive and be yourself. I think when you’re just yourself, and you act like you’re having a relaxed conversation over coffee, the Service Members know that, and they appreciate it. It makes them calm and relaxed, and that’s what they need. The other thing is to have fun with it. Be goofy, be a kid. Service Members love nothing more than to get a box of yo-yos and paddle balls and crazy stuff. They’re out there in a dismal situation, in a land they’re not used to. They wanna see something that makes them go, oh, that’s crazy. What was she thinking?
Another piece of advice I would give new Angels is to understand that Service Members are so busy that it’s hard for them to write back. You can’t expect it. You have to remember that we are doing this as a service to them.”
Angel Denise’s journey of turning pain into purpose is so inspiring. Her commitment to Soldiers’ Angels and Reboot Recovery stands as a testament to her resilience and compassion.
