StemCell Therapy

FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Today, Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) unveiled the 2022 Outlander SUV that will carry Team 207 throughout the Rebelle Rally on October 7-16.

* 2022 Outlander livery celebrates 2001 Dakar rally victory of Jutta Kleinschmidt, first woman to ever win the famed event

* U.S. military veterans and a PTSD service-dog named Sammy talk about the invisible scars of war, overseas deployments, returning home, and family

The lightly modified vehicle sports a special livery that pays tribute to the brand's history-making Dakar Rally win twenty years ago, when Jutta Kleinschmidt drove a Mitsubishi Pajero to victory, becoming the only woman ever to win the world-famous Dakar. Before the event even starts, the crew of Team 207 are already winners.

Sisters-in-law Selena 'Mason' Converse and Erin Mason are not afraid of a challenge. As an emergency medical services technician in the U.S. Air Force, Mason provided emergency medical care in both non-combat and combat situations. As an aviation structural mechanic, you could find Erin weaving in and out of incoming plane traffic on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. They joined the military, right out of high school, to establish their independence, seek adventure, and serve their country.

This October, Mason and Erin, along with Mason's two-and-a-half-year-old, PTSD-trained service dog, Sammy, are embarking on a new adventure, further testing themselves and their 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. They will represent MMNA and veterans nonprofit Record the Journey (RTJ) on the nine-day, 2000-km, all-women, off-road Rebelle Rally.

Described by veterans who competed with Mitsubishi Motors and RTJ in past years as a 'mini-deployment,' Mason, Erin and Sammy will face a grueling schedule of long days and short nights, challenging and diverse off-road terrain, and the memories of their service - the good and the bad - head on.

We sat down with the team, before they head out on the Rebelle, to learn more of their stories.

FIVE QUESTIONS WITH U.S. AIR FORCE VETERAN SELENA 'MASON' CONVERSE

Team Record the Journey Driver, Owner of Mason Converse Media

1. On paper, you are a wife, mother, combat veteran and small-business owner. How do you define yourself? I am all of those things with all of my heart. Those titles are a huge part of me and have helped form who I have become. I have not seen any of those titles as a job, rather, an opportunity that I have been gifted. I've grown to know that I am a caretaker. I consider myself as caring and creative and I am the happiest when I am caring for others and/or utilizing my creative talents.

2. You were an emergency medical services technician in the U.S. Air Force - stationed all over the U.S. and once deployed to Afghanistan. Help us understand, as much as a civilian could, what that was like. My job as an EMT for the U.S. Air Force was incredible, and for the most part, very rewarding. I saved lives, cared for countless families and was able to train future medics for the U.S. Air Force and Navy. I was initially trained at the EMT - basic level, and I was able to work in the emergency room, on an ambulance and in multiple specialties around the hospital.

Realizing my love for teaching, I became a certified Nationally Registered EMT (NREMT) Instructor. Eventually, I deployed to Afghanistan and worked in the intensive care unit and the emergency room. I cared for injured U.S. soldiers, our allies, as well as confirmed enemy combatants.

My job at home, when not deployed, was primarily focused on preventative medicine - keeping soldiers (and their families) healthy. My job while I was deployed was rather different. There was no preventative medicine, only reactive medicine to the most traumatic injuries with limited supplies. After returning from Afghanistan, I was hand-selected to become a military training instructor at the Military Education and Training Center in Texas.

3. You left the military after almost 13 years to put down roots and raise your family, and you started your company, Mason Converse Media. Everything was going well. When did you begin realizing you might have PTSD? PTSD came in waves. I didn't just leave the military and feel this intense overwhelming PTSD sensation - it is not quite like that. I experienced traumatic things during my deployment, and they forever changed who I am. But while in the military, we were trained to deal with stress and trauma extremely well.

After leaving the military, I had the mindset that I 'had PTSD,' but I did not 'suffer from PTSD'. I assumed the things I felt were just transition stress and that they would go away on their own. What I did start to notice was that I perceived and dealt with certain things differently than my non-military friends. Things that I worried about, or that caused me anxiety, did not cause others to have the same emotional triggers.

I lost my parents as a child. Since then, I've used the avoidance tactic to manage extreme stress: if I didn't face it, discuss it, or even think about it, then it couldn't affect me. I applied this same tactic to my post-military life, and it 'worked' for quite some time. The pandemic was a huge PTSD trigger for me and a turning point for me to openly evaluate and discuss my PTSD symptoms.

4. You are the proud mother of three human children, and Sammy, a two-and-a-half-year-old, all-black German Shepherd. Tell us how Sammy entered your life. Sammy entered my life as an unexpected blessing. She was born at a time that I was navigating my PTSD symptoms and not openly discussing any of them. At that same time, my husband's canine best friend of 13 (Joe) years was getting to the end-stage of life. A neighbor of ours offered my husband a German Shepherd puppy, Sammy, to help with the transition and eventual loss of his dog. Sammy came to us much sooner than expected, at just four weeks old (another story for another day), and I spent the next four weeks being mom to the tiniest bear-cub looking puppy.

Joe passed shortly thereafter, and Chuck did not yet feel connected with Sammy. We thought it would just take time for the bond to form, so we kept her and spent the next year training her. Sammy was smart and was ready for a meaningful role. At that time, I had begun therapy for PTSD. The idea of having Sammy trained as a service dog came up, and it really became obvious that she was truly meant for me and not my husband.

5. Together, you, Sammy and your sister-in-law Erin make up Team 207, Mitsubishi Motors' entry into the 2021 Rebelle Rally. As you head into the dunes, why is it important for you to tell your story? The biggest key to managing my PTSD was being able to admit the issues and symptoms I was experiencing. When you separate out the individual symptoms or triggers, then you can treat the PTSD more effectively. Many people assume the treatment for PTSD is taking a prescription medicine. It can be, but that's not the treatment for everyone.

Part of my PTSD treatment is the use of a service dog. Service dogs provide treatment of PTSD symptoms, much like a medication could, but other times better than medication can. Service dogs are specifically trained to perform tasks to aid in a person's disability.

As a team of female veterans, I believe it is so important to share our story and help others understand that PTSD does not have to control your whole life - it is possible to live the life you want while managing PTSD. Sammy's participation in the Rebelle Rally will go a long way to doing that.

FIVE QUESTIONS WITH U.S. NAVY VETERAN ERIN MASON

Team Record the Journey Navigator, Owner & Farmer, Mason Wholesale Greenhouses

1. Congratulations (and awe) are in order! You just welcomed a new baby girl, Selena, to your family, and she will be just six weeks old when you head out for the Rebelle. What is motivating you to take this on so soon? By competing in an all-woman rally, I believe I am sending my two young girls a message that anything is possible and that some things are meant to be. A year ago, Rachael Ridenour, founder of veterans non-profit Record the Journey, picked us to go on this adventure to represent her charity and Mitsubishi. Before Mason and I knew it, we were driving across the country to learn technical driving and navigation skills from Rachael, and in between trips to the desert, were on Zoom calls, trying to absorb as much as we could. Around Christmas, I learned I was expecting, and was relieved to learn the due date - I'd be cutting it close, but I could still compete in the Rally. It was a good pregnancy, and even better delivery, so it really feels meant to be. I know my daughter Selena will be cheering me on from home. As if the rally wasn't challenging enough, I will also be pumping so I can return to breast feeding when I get home.

2. You joined the military, in your words, as soon as you could. You were young, wide-eyed and from a small town. What were those first years like for you? Sitting across from the recruiter, signing my papers to join the military, I knew I was leaving my small town for something bigger, and I was right. If you've never seen an aircraft carrier, it's beautiful, the way the planes come in and out. It's like controlled chaos, like synchronized swimming - it's an adrenaline rush. My first years were defined by adventure. My first assignment was Virginia Beach, and I was crossing the seas in an aircraft carrier in no time. I would volunteer for every detachment and work to achieve every qualification, chasing fighter jets across the world, knowing it would mean more adventure, and that's exactly what I wanted.

3. What deployment stands out to you as having the biggest personal impact. My deployment on the USS George H. W. Bush was by far the most impactful time I spent serving my country. It was the ship's maiden deployment - we sailed for eight months, from Virginia, to the Rock of Gibraltar, to the Suez Canal, around the Horn of Africa and into the Arabian Gulf. Along the way, we made stops in England, Italy, France, Spain, Bahrain and Dubai. It was equally thrilling and grueling. I learned what my body was capable of, by operating on minimal sleep and maximum exhaustion. When we arrived back in the States, I quickly came to grips with the mental toll as well, as a good friend from the deployment took his own life. Losing him is one reason I am so passionate about mental health awareness and PTSD advocacy for my military brothers and sisters.

4. You would have stayed in the service longer, if that was an option. Describe your transition out of the military and into civilian life. The year I left, the government was downsizing the military, and was not renewing thousands of service member contracts. I thought I was going to spend my whole life in the Navy, but life had other plans. Navigating the transition was lonely and confusing - all of a sudden, I felt like I didn't have a purpose. In the service, we are a family. We grow together. We experience life and death, births and divorces together. I was a shoulder to cry on when a friend was on a deployment, watching a YouTube video of their baby taking their first steps. I went from traveling the world, to being stuck in one place. Re-entering the civilian world, returning to people who never left... they can't understand what we are going through. It took me a couple years to adjust back to civilian life and to find my identity outside of the military. I became a civilian mechanic... I met my husband, also a veteran, who served in the Air Force. I eventually finished school and started a family. There will always a part of me that can only be filled up by my military family, so I try to be around them as much as I can.

5. Now, you run Mason Wholesale Greenhouses with your husband - also former military. Tell us about the business and how you got started. We started when my husband was transitioning out of the military. He worked at a nursey in high school and has a real way with plants. I found a place called Archi's Acres in Southern California that has a six-week course, designed to introduce veterans to sustainable agriculture, and I signed us both up. While we were there, my husband received a call that his former boss, the nursery owner, passed away, and his wife wanted to sell the property to us! Now in East Texas, we grow organic produce and crops in greenhouses. We aim to keep a small carbon footprint and really enjoy sharing our passion for sustainable agriculture with our community. The soil therapy has been so good for me! In the future, we hope to invite other veterans to our property for off-grid retreats, to help others find the same peace.

FIVE QUESTIONS SAMMY THE SERVICE DOG

PTSD-Trained, 2.5-Year-Old, All-Black German Shepherd

1. Describe your perfect day. I love to go on adventures with my family - my mom, dad, my human sisters and my brother. My mom owns a 4x4 off-road adventure photo and video company, so it is kind of part of the territory. We go to lakes, where I am learning to fetch rocks and sticks off of the lake bottom, and we go to the desert, where I am learning to help mom dig big trucks out of the sand. (Should come in handy for Rebelle, right?) By nature, I am curious, confident and loyal, making me the pawfect adventure partner. Oh, and I absolutely love frisbee. I could play frisbee for hours. At the end of a long day of adventures, or a long day on PTSD-service duty, I love my quiet time. Did I mention I love frisbee?

2. What does it mean to be a PTSD-trained service animal? My mom is my hero. She served in the U.S. Air Force for 13 years. (Planes are like frisbees, but much bigger.) As an emergency medical services technician, she skillfully and bravely attended to men and women on both sides of armed conflict. But when she came home, it was hard for her to really feel at home. She had flashbacks and nightmares; sometimes she felt sad, isolated, angry and scared. Not to brag, but I am pretty intelligent and observant, and I take direction really well, so I am kind of the perfect service animal. I went through intense training, learning about all of the things that could trigger my mom's anxiety, and how to make her, and my whole family, feel safe. Now, everywhere they go - on adventures, to the grocery store, to bed at night - I have their back.

3. And we understand your vest isn't just a fashion accessory... It is a very cool vest, yes, but it is much more. It is like a super-hero cape. When I put on my vest, it makes me feel powerful, and it reminds me of my training. It means that I am on duty, and no one can mess with me or my family. When I take off my vest, I am just your average 2.5-year-old puppy. I like to play frisbee... run, jump, roll, scratch and snuggle with my siblings. I take my job seriously; I take my play time seriously, and I take my down time seriously. You have to, in this business. Sometimes, it is important for me to find a quiet space, sit, and reflect on the day.

4. All-black German Shepherds are extremely rare. How do you keep that beautiful coat so clean? Why, thank you. It's true, my line of work can be ruff on hair, skin, nails and teeth. To keep me looking and feeling good on the Rebelle, pet wellness company Skout's Honor has loaded down our 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander with array of probiotic grooming and wellness essentials, including Probiotic Shampoo + Conditioner, Prebiotic Pet Balm, Probiotic Deodorizer and Paw Spray. Also, Mitsubishi has outfitted us with some pretty cool, Team 207 swag, including a custom bandana from http://www.mymitsubishistore.com. Shout out to my sponsors!

5. What are you most looking forward to about Rebelle Rally? Well, I have done my research, and there are a lot of car commercials with dogs in them, but none can do what I can. I don't see any other pups protecting their mom from danger, or digging their team out of sand dunes. I will be the first animal to ever compete in the Rally, just saying... In all seriousness, I really identify with the spirit of Rebelle - the adventure, the strategy, the girl power! My mom can do anything, with me at her side. I hope her story inspires others to be authentic, brave and embrace adventure - just like us.

For more information on the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, visit https://www.mitsubishicars.com/outlander/2022.

About Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Through a network of approximately 330 dealer partners across the United States, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for the sales, marketing and customer service of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in the U.S. MMNA was the top-ranked Japanese brand in the J.D. Power 2021 Initial Quality study, ranking third overall and tied with Lexus. In its Environmental Targets 2030, MMNA's parent company Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has set a goal of a 40 percent reduction in the CO2 emissions of its new cars by 2030 through leveraging EVs - with PHEVs as the centerpiece - to help create a sustainable society.

With headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, and corporate operations in California, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, Florida and Virginia, MMNA directly and indirectly employs more than 8,000 people across the United States.

For more information on Mitsubishi vehicles, please contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at 615-257-2698 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.

Contacts

Jeremy Barnes

Senior Director, Communications and Events

jeremy.barnes@na.mitsubishi-motors.com

Mobile: 714-296-1402

Lauren Ryan

Manager, Communications and Events

lauren.ryan@na.mitsubishi-motors.com

Mobile: 404-862-8286

Read this article:
Mitsubishi Motors : Unveils 2022 Outlander for 2021 Rebelle Rally; Introduces the Military Veterans Who Will Contest the Event - marketscreener.com

This entry was posted on October 15, 2021 at 1:52 am and is filed under Preventative Medicine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |