Is there or can there be a balance between celebrating July 4th and the trauma it can create for our warriors who suffer from PTSD?

2015-07-04T12:55:12-04:00

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jul 4 at 2015 1:09 PM

2015-07-04T13:09:13-04:00

I had a few rough years. It wasn't the boom that got me as much as feeling the shock wave. That was what got me in Iraq. Instead of drinking the anxiety away, I got help from our friends at the VA. Don't let our past control our future. There is no excuse for not getting help. Help and support is EVERYWHERE. The only stigma that accompanies PTS(D) is what WE allow it to have on us. The PTSD inpatient programs will help you with problems such as this. The attendance ratio was still much higher for Vietnam vets despite over a decade of OIF/OEF, etc. They all said the same thing, don't wait 40 years to get help.

Response by SMSgt Judy Hickman made Jul 4 at 2015 1:25 PM

2015-07-04T13:25:59-04:00

Sitting in San Antonio recently during Fiesta, I was at a friend's house far north of central San Antonio, but I could hear the booms. My friend and I both were deployed to Iraq, her to Iraq and Afghanistan. At first I tried to ignore the booms, my head said that sounds like a mortar... my heart started racing... I looked at my friend and she looked at me, and she said don't worry its the just the Fiesta Fireworks. Like that I started to calm back down and took another sip of my wine.

I do not believe I have PTSD, but it does exist. At the same time I would hate for the world to have to change their celebration plans for little old me, for those that have a more severe case of PTSD fireworks can be a trigger that leave them like my dog, shaking in the corner.

I love the signs that our Vets are using to inform people of their condition, people should be aware of what is going on around them and have a heart for those that are living with PTSD. Finding a balance will be difficult as the sound of fireworks can be heard for miles, even if you can see the display (I could not see the display in San Antonio).

Response by SSG James Arlington made Jul 4 at 2015 1:39 PM

2015-07-04T13:39:12-04:00

Yes there has to be preparedness. The ones that still startle some is backfires in the street.