How Painting Helped an Air Force Veteran Recover Her Sense of Self
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Cheri Carandanis spent her career caring for others as an Air Force nurse and later in hospice. After two brain injuries forced her to retire, she had to face life without the role that once defined her. What began as a simple attempt to follow medical advice led her to something unexpected: painting. Through it, she found healing, direction, and a deeper understanding of herself.
In this episode, Cheri talks about growing up in a military family, serving through deployments, and learning to rebuild after loss. Her story is a reminder that recovery takes time, creativity can be medicine, and there’s always a way forward, even when life throws you a curveball.
Timestamps:
- 04:00 – What deployment is like for a nurse
- 10:00 – Life on an early base in Afghanistan. Chaos, humor, and teamwork
- 15:00 – The brain injuries that ended her nursing career
- 17:30 – Picking up a paintbrush for the first time and finding peace
- 30:00 – Why she now sees the injury as a turning point, not an ending
Links & Resources
- Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
- Website: https://www.carandanisfineart.com
- Follow Cheri Carandanis on Facebook: www.facebook.com/carandanisfineart
- Follow Cheri Carandanis on Instagram: www.instagram.com/carandanisfineart