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Team Shaw spouses stroll away stress

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Jeffers
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Service members often change duty stations, or PCS, during their time in the military to support the mission. They may receive orders to move across the country or go to a different country entirely.

When service members move, they don't always go alone. When spouses and dependents are able to travel with their loved one, they may find moving difficult.

"We are pulled away from everything we know - our families, our homes and everybody we grew up with - and we start a new life," said Sarah Mier, a 20th Fighter Wing key spouse. . "Some people have to start a new life every two years. Just when you get rooted and grounded, you are pulled up and pulled away. In those situations, it is very easy to hermit yourself when you get to a new base. It is my job as a key spouse to organize activities to get them out and meet new friends because it is not easy to do that."

One of the activities the key spouse created was the stroller club, which meets every Monday and Wednesday at the sports complex here.

When they meet, the spouses and their children walk a mile and a half, as a group, along one of the trails.

"I think it is a great club," said stroller club participant Jennifer Peterson , "It gets ladies out to meet each other and exercise. It helps relieve stress. We all go through stressful times. Either you are changing duty stations soon, you just moved here, or (your) spouse is deployed. I think people need to connect to deal with stress."

The stroller club can help participants connect with people who can relate to their situation.

"You are with other people who know your situation and are in the same boat as you," said Mier. "You get to de-stress, talk and have fun. You get to be yourself with people who are just like you."

Anyone is able to join the club, even those who are not a spouse, and there is no fee or membership.

"It is geared for young mothers, however, nobody will be turned away," Peterson said.

"You don't have to have a baby or a stroller to come out," Mier added.

Also, children are not restricted to walking.

"Our older kids will bring their bikes and their scooters so it is more fun for them and they get their exercise," Mier said.

Participants spoke about how they enjoyed going to the walks and how they found the stroller club beneficial to them.

"I love it," Mier said. "I am losing weight and having so much fun. I enjoy the socializing ."