When United States Army Veteran Daniel Haynes talks about his son, Stephen, it is as if his voice is smiling. “My son is the fastest crawler I have ever seen,” he says. “He has some catching up to do, but he is a happy, happy boy.”
“If our son had been born in any other hospital, in any other city or in any other country — he wouldn’t be as healthy as he is today.”
Today, Stephen is 19 months old, but he was only two months old when Dan and his wife, Gina, received the call they had prayed for: A baby was available for adoption. The Holden, Massachusetts, couple would meet their new son at Massachusetts General Hospital. Stephen had been born at 28 weeks and weighed only two pounds, six ounces. He spent the first few months of his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
“When we went to pick him up, it was obvious he had been loved by the nurses and staff at Mass General. I cannot say enough about the care they provided,” Dan says. “If our son had been born in any other hospital, in any other city or in any other country — he wouldn’t be as healthy as he is today.”
An Unexpected Connection
Since Stephen’s placement, he has been thriving — and so has Dan. When Dan is not with his son, he is lacing up and hitting the pavement — training for the 129th Boston Marathon.
“When Stephen was very little, I came across an application for the Mass General Marathon Team,” he says. “I had always wanted to run the marathon, and with Stephen’s care experience fresh in my mind, I looked closer at the opportunity.”
Dan also decided to apply when he saw that the team runs in honor of Home Base, a program founded by Mass General in partnership with the Red Sox Foundation, focused on healing invisible wounds of war, such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury, at no cost. Dan knows firsthand the lifechanging impact their services have on Military Members and their Families. “I served as a Cavalry Scout. We are the eyes and ears of the Army, specializing in reconnaissance,” he says. “We would go observe enemy forces and act as necessary.”
Dan’s first tour was 12 months long and his second was 14 months. In both, his team was given a section of various cities in which to act as local police force. “It was war. We saw a lot, and I can still remember the smells walking through the cities,” says Dan of his time in Iraq. “It opened my eyes so much, and it gave me a chance to serve my country. I’m very proud of that.”
Like many Veterans, coming home and transitioning out of the Military was a challenge. Dan found himself struggling to adjust to the pace of civilian life and missing his friends who, he says, felt like his brothers. Together, they had been through so much.
“We were in a bubble together, and then one day, we were not. It was lonely,” Dan says. “On top of that, we were used to living a certain schedule in the Military; logistically, we knew what we needed to do, and everything was laid out. Civilian life isn’t like that, so coming home and trying to do regular things — like standing in line at the grocery store when the person in front of you is taking their time — is tough. It’s hard to recalibrate.”
Dan made an appointment at Home Base and spoke to clinicians who understood. In his sessions, Dan learned various coping strategies to deal with the anger and frustration he sometimes felt. He was able to use those strategies and through them, improve his quality of life.
“I had a great experience with Home Base, and my family is so grateful for Stephen and the loving care he received at Mass General,” Dan says. “Participating now in the Boston Marathon is a way I can show my appreciation and gratitude.”
Propelled by Encouragement, Running with Gratitude
While Dan finishes these last weeks of training, he often reflects on the beginning of this journey when he first came across the application for Mass General’s team and credits his wife for championing his dream.
“Remembering Home Base is available as a resource — and that treatment works — is important. That’s why I am so proud to participate in the Boston Marathon on its behalf. I can’t wait to run and to see my wife and my son when I cross the finish line. It’s all a dream come true.”
“We had a new baby, but Gina said if I don’t do it now, I never will. She has really encouraged me,” he says. “She helps me with fundraising and most important, she selflessly takes care of Stephen when I go on my long runs. She has been amazing, and I couldn’t do it without her.”
Dan knows the 26.2 miles will be incredibly difficult, but is confident that, with the mission in mind and his family’s steadfast support, he will be ready.
“I know more guys who have died from suicide and substance use once they were out of the Military, than I knew who had died during the war,” Dan says. “Remembering Home Base is available as a resource — and that treatment works — is important. That’s why I am so proud to participate in the Boston Marathon on its behalf. I can’t wait to run and to see my wife and my son when I cross the finish line. It’s all a dream come true.”
If you would like to support Daniel, click here.
To learn more about Mass General’s marathon team, click here.
