BURTON, Texas — A group is using nature to help victims deal with the traumatic experience from mother nature itself more than a year after Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast.
The idea is to turn tragic memories into something positive, to help cope with mental health struggles after the storm.
"I have that memory but without anxiety and pain," said Antonieta Cadiz. "It's just a memory for me now."
Forgetting about the damage done by Harvey has been tough for Cadiz and her family.
"It's something we never thought would happen to us," Cadiz said.
She's one of dozens of people using nature to help cope with mental health struggles after the storm.
"My family stuck together in a very hard time," she said.
Now they are taking part in a weekend adventure at Camp For All in Burton, Texas.
Camp For All is a barrier-free camp where campers of all abilities come to discover life. The nonprofit group is using the outdoors to help those like Cadiz fight post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
"Harvey has triggers," Cadiz explained. "When it rains a lot I get very anxious."
"Coming into nature allows us to get things out of our heads and experience things in a different manner," said Dr. Christy Gamez, a psychologist with Easterseals in Houston.
They're using nature to turn tragedy into pleasant family memories.
"Coming to something like this allows them to come out," Dr. Gamez explained. "Hearing the families talk about how they were able to do something together they've never done before, makes it feel like we've done a good thing."
The group is hoping to bring relief and calm to those affected by Harvey's floodwaters.
Doctor Gamez encourages anyone dealing with mental stress to speak up about your feelings. She said being vocal will help reduce the problem.