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Monday, December 16, 2013

PTSD, NO JOKE -- AND THERE'S MORE --


“The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with Healing in His Wings.” Malachi 4:`2

    The son of David and Maria Stanza, David Jr. the eldest son of this St. Paul, Minn. Catholic family dealt with the ongoing
repercussions of traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder. JR., the name that family and friends called him, struggled for months attempting to make sense of civilian life. Retreating more from the daily areas of living, JR. found
himself ultimately isolating himself from all the enjoyable things of life.
   JR. admitted himself to the confines of Walter Reed National Medical Center, with these words; “Nothing can hurt me.
Nothing can scare me. I need no one, and no one needs me.” The doctors of this center recognized JR`s malady, for the
studies of recent years had enlightened them concerning the disharmony JR. suffered.  JR. followed the advice of the counselors  and soon recognized how distant he had become from the enjoyments of life.
   Joining the activities of `Team River Runners`, a nonprofit fellowship of veterans from around the country. JR. quickly
was rejuvenated by the healing power found in Nature’s running rivers and streams. This fellowship of kayaking and fast water canoeists has had the effect of healing for a large percentage of the members.
   Today, unlike the previous generations of military veterans there are many outreaches offered by the Dept. of Veterans
Affairs and other community programs assisting in the physical and psychological issues of present day returning G.I.`s.
   The awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder-P.T.S.D., Traumatic Brain Injuries-T.B.I.`s, suicide, substance abuse,
alcoholism, and depression caused isolationism, has increased in the medical and clinical associations. These groups are
working together in much closer affiliations with themselves and the veterans than ever before.
   Throughout history the internal injuries of the `Protectors of Freedom` the Armed Forces, have always been studied.
The terms; A Soldiers Heart, Shellshock, Battle Fatigue, and Sailors Sorrow, are just a few of the many names given to
describe the `Fight to Fight Stress` personalities related to the disharmony found in veterans.
   On Sept. 16th 2011, a former Navy Reservist, shot and killed 12 people at the Washington Navy Yard. This event is
just one of the many tragedies caused by the complications of the psycho-emotional states of war time veterans.
Veterans of the Vietnam War era finally after many years of denial and lack of knowledge are stepping forward to
receive the therapeutic assistance of present day research.  The Armed Forces Health Surveillance Centers throughout
the U.S.A. have recently listed alcoholism, drug addiction, and domestic violence, as the major areas of discord.
   The many misconceptions of the past have been eliminated over the past 35 years. Therapies of various types also
have proven to be beneficial to the once `hopeless, helpless, homeless, veteran.` Advertisements, TV announcements,
radio interviews, and the National Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-TALK) have opened doors of healing to veterans,
families, and friends.
    Being a veteran myself, I have personally experienced the the positive benefits of therapy, along with the grace
supplied by God because of the many that pray for veterans.
   


Here is a short list of Health references available to veterans and their families:
veteranscrisisline.net.                            maketheconnection.netwomensveteranshotline.net        ptsd.va.gov.                                           coachingintocare.net.                   
National Call Center for Homeless         
giveanhour.org.                                                 
startmovingforward.org.                 Veterans.....1-877-4AID-VET.

  Lets not forget the Armed Forces Members and the Veterans this Christmas Season !!
                                                                                  
Always Remember `FREEDOM is not FREE !!`
                                                                                                

Br. Phil Bara.   12-4-13

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