“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
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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