Hundreds of Injured Veterans Learn Basics and Benefits of Livestreaming

In October, more than 200 injured veterans came together in a virtual webinar hosted by Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) to learn about livestreaming. The event was the largest single-day livestreaming or gaming event WWP has held as the veterans nonprofit continues to expand in the gaming space.

Navy and Army veteran Jody Farmer attended the webinar and has become more involved in livestreaming and gaming, including through WWP’s Discord server. Discord, an online chat and community platform, gives warriors an outlet to discuss a variety of topics and personal challenges they may be facing.

“If it wasn’t for me finding a safe space to talk in the WWP Discord, I don’t know how I would have made it through the summer,” Jody said. “As my good friend Fluriden would say, ‘Discord has become our generation’s VFW or American Legion.’”

Jody went from never having played the video game Call of Duty to co-hosting WWP’s Monday Night Mayhem livestream on Twitch. She also joined the esports program at the University of Oklahoma, where she’s enrolled as a freshman. Livestreaming is now a mainstay in her weekly routine.

“You don’t need any experience or expensive equipment,” Jody said. “Use it to tell your story.”

Scott Smith’s story is a lot like Jody’s. He faced mental health challenges that the pandemic exacerbated, and he turned to gaming as an escape. In a WWP survey of the wounded warriors it serves, of those who play electronic games, playing games also helps calm more than one-third (38%) when they are angry.

“Gaming has been a way for me to relax and pull myself out of this world and into a fictional one,” the Marine veteran said.

And just like Jody, Scott is looking to grow in the livestreaming space. He, too, attended the webinar and took away valuable insights.

“Do it because you enjoy gaming and if you want to build a community of people who enjoy watching you play,” Scott said. “Enjoy the games and don’t sweat the little things.”

Want to support injured veterans and their families through livestreaming? Register your stream through Stream to Serve™ today.

Contact: Chris Obarski — Public Relations, cobarski@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.570.0823

About Wounded Warrior Project

Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more.