[Published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of America. Story titled “Freedom Fighter”] What started out as an ordinary plane flight left me awestruck! No two women on the same flight could possibly have been more extreme opposites. I had just finished a very fulfilling speaking engagement to wives of warriors battling PTSD,…
DetailsHave you ever wondered how to help suffering individuals? Today, we discuss Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and discover how to support survivors of traumatic events. I’m honored to welcome author Welby O’Brien to the Quid Pro Quills. Welby is crazy about her veteran husband, who battles PTSD. She founded the spouse/family support network Love Our Vets…
DetailsI often get asked, “Can PTSD be cured?” We all wish we had a definitive answer to this age old question! And as the great debate continues, millions – along with their loved ones – struggle with the relentless battles of Post-Traumatic Stress. Is there hope or not? A brave young veteran recently shared with…
DetailsFor all who are new to PTSD, or want to share these PTSD Basics with others…this is ideal! Please feel free to download and share. We also have it available in 5 x 7 glossy cards. If you think you could use a bunch (no charge, but minimum order of 250), please contact us at…
DetailsWe all know that triggers set off PTSD. Brace for explosion! Thankfully, I am learning much better these days how to handle it when my vet gets triggered. And occasionally I myself get triggered. But what really threw me off guard last week was when we BOTH got triggered! WHOA! No fun. Not pretty. Downright…
DetailsI heard recently that over 50% of our veterans with PTSD are NOT getting help! Sometimes it takes months, years and even decades for our vets (or other loved ones) to realize they have PTSD. Many times it is the loved ones around them who see it so clearly day after day, and hopefully eventually…
DetailsJustin Low, son of a veteran with PTSD, shares a tribute to veterans and a challenge to his fellow Americans at Oregon City High School: All of you have paid the price to keep our nation safe and secure during times of calamity. The patriotism and security all of you brave veterans and servicemen…
DetailsHow Can We Treat the ‘Invisible Wounds’ of War? It’s one of the most life-altering war wounds that a service member can experience, even though it doesn’t leave a scratch on the body: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe mental health condition that can take a tremendous lifelong toll on military veterans and their…
DetailsThose of us who love someone with PTSD are especially susceptible to burnout. Compassion fatigue. Although the month of November is dedicated to Caregiver Support, every day of the year we need to support the supporters! What can we who give and love day in and day out do to keep from dying on the…
DetailsIf there are millions and millions of people with PTSD, then there must be just as many who love them. I wanted to try to put into poem form what so many of us hold deep inside. And too often we think we are the only ones who struggle. Or if we just try harder…
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