Name: Anisha Hankins
Describe yourself with one word… positive
Number of years married…1
Children…2
To relax and unwind you…meditation and MS (Multiple Sclerosis) yoga
Currently reading…The Help
Listening to…I love listening to NPR when I’m in the car. In the house, I listen to whatever music my daughter is listening to which usually results in us dancing.
Favorite quote…I have MS but it does not have me!
Favorite sports team/s…Pittsburgh Steelers
Thoughts on Family…you only get one so live fully, love much and laugh often. Nurture them and be positive with them to teach them optimism.
Thoughts on the current state of the economy…It is very unstable but I do feel if everyone worked together, a change could be made. It is what we all wanted, a change, but it takes everyone working together to fix it.
Thoughts on Life in General…Love it, embrace it. Even when things are great, pray. When times are bad, pray. We only get one shot at this thing called life so make the most and be the best person that you can be for yourself, family and friends.
The most satisfying aspect of being an Army spouse…Being a mentor to younger spouses and showing them that you can have strength when faced with adversity such as deployment. The camaraderie is amazing and your fellow Army spouses quickly become family.
One thing you would change about military life (if any)…People getting along with each other and appreciating the changes that the Army has implanted. When I joined active duty years ago, there were not all the things available that are now. It would be to teach spouses and Soldiers to appreciate what they have and are given.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?…I have been told by physicians due to my illness that I will not be here in 5 years. But, I see myself loving my grandson, mentoring my fellow Army spouses and volunteering and giving of myself to the community as I always have.
Who and/or what inspires you… People that are positive, drama free and business-minded are what inspire me so much. A positive person will smile and handle any situation with dignity and poise. That is inspiring to me.
What do you love most about your Soldier…I have known him my whole life. We grew up together. Then 20 years later to run into him again and catch him up on my life and the illnesses that I have; he still loves me for me. He loves the old Anisha that he grew up with but he appreciates and loves the new me, for me.
Words of wisdom for other Army spouses… Make the best of any place that you go. Make friends wherever you go and build bonds with your fellow Army spouses. Do not be so quick to burn bridges because the Army is big, but it is small at the same time. You will run into people again so always be careful of burning bridges. Treat other spouses the way that you want to be treated. Get involved with your FRG; that is the key. Take as many classes as you can to learn everything that you can learn about the Army. The old saying used to be “Be All You Can Be,” well the Army now offers classes so that you can “Do All You Can Do” for yourself. Knowledge is power!
More . . .
I am a mentor for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. For those that are newly diagnosed, I help them come to terms with it. I am a listening ear whenever they need. I run several Facebook pages to keep families informed of things that are going on in the community. I am a key caller with USASMA’s FRG, have been a Brigade FRSA for about five years and worked at ACS before then. I have been part of AFAP for the last 12 years from delegate to FRTI team. I strongly believe in AFAP because that is where your voice can be heard. It’s where you get a chance to tell the Army what you think a solution to a problem is.
I have been an FRG Leader from Battery to Division Level, AFTB Master Trainer; hold a certificate in Critical Incident Stress Management, Care Team, FRG Leadership and Senior Leader Development Course as well. I was Volunteer of the Year in Hawaii and have Volunteer Awards for Fort Campbell and Fort Bliss, Dr. Mary E. Walker Award, Molly Pitcher Award, Commander’s Award for Public Service and many other certificates of appreciation and coins and plaques for projects I have put together. For example, I organized the silent counter protest for the funeral of SSgt Michael Diaz, US Marine Corp, in less than 24 hours with about 2000 people present to show their patriotism and support of his family after I received an e-mail from his mother asking for help. Being able to bring the community and Team Bliss together as one, not for an Army Soldier, but for our Marine brother in arms in such a short amount of time is something I am most proud of.
Photo by: Live,Love,Laugh Photos
