Editor’s note: The original story was published in Shepherd’s Men. https://www.shepherdsmen.com/share/dylan-sims/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6JC2rQsIi3F9WNdkLGdl5LPVtxBxylqvZ3_TH6KMtbQDsXJVUHORO27Ybv6g_aem_nG_hYNTpWlHIvCRL-QG5jQ
Dylan Sims (Delta State ’14), a former air traffic controller for the Army, embarked on an extraordinary path of resilience and recovery after facing the challenges of a brain injury and an early-onset dementia diagnosis. He found healing and renewed purpose through the SHARE Military Initiative.
Military Service was almost a calling for Dylan, whose family’s legacy of service can be traced back to the Civil War. Following in the footsteps of his father, an Army recruiter, Dylan enlisted in the Army in 2013 as an air traffic controller. His deployments to Kuwait and Iraq brought responsibility but also unfathomable challenges. At AL Asad Air Base in Iraq, a mortar attack left Dylan with a crushed hip and an undiagnosed brain injury, setting off a difficult chapter in his life.
In 2022, Dylan was diagnosed with early-onset dementia at only 29 years old; shocking news that turned his world upside down. Reflecting on the moment, he shared, “They determined that my executive functioning was declining, and they couldn’t figure out why.” Plagued by amnesia episodes that stretched for multiple days, Dylan found his life unraveling piece by piece. Unable to continue his job with these episodes, Dylan began traveling the country, searching for meaning and peace. During this period, he connected with the SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center, where he found the personalized care he needed.
“At SHARE, it wasn’t just about managing symptoms. They looked for the root causes and provided practical tools that truly worked,” Dylan recalls. Under the guidance of the SHARE team, his condition was re-diagnosed as a treatable brain injury. Over time, therapies like eye-tracking exercises and techniques to manage overstimulation helped Dylan regain control of his life. “When I found out it wasn’t dementia and that it was treatable, it opened up so many possibilities for life. It gave me optimism for what could be achieved.”
While at SHARE, Dylan also rediscovered his passion for writing, which became a vital part of his healing process. Dylan has gone on to publish two works, Sanctuary Delta, a moving tale of resilience, personal discovery, and the enduring bond between people and the natural beauty of the Mississippi Delta; and Valor in Verse: A Journey From Darkness to Light, a collection of poetry deeply rooted in his personal experiences, with more to come in the future. “I’ve really embraced sharing my story, because I know how much hearing someone else’s story has helped me. If my story can help someone, then it’s worth it,” he explains.
After returning to his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi, Dylan has reconnected with his roots and found purpose in serving other veterans who are struggling. Whether sitting on the board of Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, volunteering with the American Warrior Association, or championing the SHARE Military Initiative, Dylan’s advocacy and resilience inspire fellow veterans to seek healing and know they are never alone.
