Subject of PTSD documentary faces more troubles

Life takes another tough turn for brother featured in sibling's film about PTSD
Lexington Herald Reader
By Mary Meehan
Published: July 7, 2013

The Harlan soldier at the heart of a documentary about PTSD is on house arrest facing multiple felony charges as the film, Two Brothers, is scheduled to run on KET.

The short documentary features Joe Edwards, who returned forever changed after two tours in Iraq as an Army gunner. It started as a student film by his brother, Jason Edwards. But with the help of Jason Edwards' professor at Eastern Kentucky University, John Fitch, the film has started appearing in film festivals and being shown to veterans' groups.

The goal of the film was to show how post-traumatic stress disorder affects not only the returning soldier but also all those who love him, said Jason Edwards. Withdrawn and ultimately suicidal, Joe Edwards, who joined the National Guard after high school, was different from the brother Jason grew up with.

As the filming wrapped up last summer, Joe Edwards' once debilitating symptoms of anxiety and depression were lifting. And, Jason Edwards said, Joe Edwards was proud that the telling of his painful story might help other veterans.

A black and white epilogue at the end of the 28-minute film acknowledges Joe Edwards' involvement with the police.

According to a report from the Kentucky State Police, Joe Edwards exchanged gunfire when deputies tried to serve a warrant at his Harlan apartment at 11 p.m. Nov. 30.
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