Vietnam Veterans Carrying PTSD Torch For 40 Years
"You see these astronomical numbers where PTSD, mental illness, some of the serious problems we're having, they're just going up and up and up, said Sen. Tom Udall.
But there is another part of this potential disaster. One where we are playing catch-up.
30 percent of Vietnam vets will likely suffer from PTSD.
"The Vietnam generation? Those guys are my heroes.
Those are the guys I look up to because they've been carrying the torch for 40 plus years," said Jim.
"It started in about 1980 that the diagnosis was first recognized, so there didn't exist a diagnosis of PTSD before that," said Dr. Diane Castillo.
War continues for veteran's suffering from PTSD
KOB Eyewitness News 4
By: Tessa Mentus
Created: 11/16/2014
If you could look into the future, you'd probably make some changes to prepare for what's coming. We have that luxury right now, but this isn't about winning the lottery, finding that perfect person or choosing the right job. It's about our real American heroes and what we're doing to get them out of the path of a perfect storm.
The call to serve has no sound, but Jim Stanek heard it. He heard it through the sirens, the screams and the deafening sound of our hearts breaking on Sept. 11, 2001.
"I was a, uh, iron worker, and a volunteer fireman in New York City," said Jim. "You know I think the recruiters saw me coming a mile away because I walked in and said I want to be on the first thing smoking overseas."
Stanek didn't have to wait long before he got his way. He headed to iraq, as part of the army's airborne infantry.
"I got to put on a uniform, I got to serve my country, I got to wear an American flag on my uniform," Jim said.
And he did that for three tours, until a hand injury turned into a much more permanent and painful diagnosis.
Jim got to the hospital, dropped in a think tank and was told he had chronic severe PTSD and a mild traumatic brain injury.
Jim never knows when that monster will take over. One time it did and it looked a lot like a scene from a movie that showcased the unpredictable battles with PTSD.
read more here
The definitive answer to "When were you there?", "Last night" is the answer, I was reminded that "This morning" was true as well. I doubt I will ever understand why "this" war stays with you like skin. I returned in 03/69 and we are still saying "Welcome Home", I will never stop saying it, but why so forever long?.
ReplyDeleteIf "Welcome Home" was replaced by "Welcome Back" then it may have meant more sense to those sent to fight foreign wars. The problem with that is, no one comes home the same as they were before.
ReplyDeleteThere is a change even after each deployment for the re-deployed.
You are among only 7% of the population so it is very hard for non-veterans to understand you. I can't totally understand even though I spent my life with veterans plus worked on PTSD for over 30 years. The truth is, I will never really know everything going on with my husband and he came home in 71.
He is still changing/healing, but it is all still within him. it needs to be since it was a life altering time.
You can make peace with it and maybe that is what all veterans should be seeking instead of forgetting about it, getting over it or all the other nonsense people have said they should do.
I thank God veterans aren't like the rest of us. You risked your life for others while we got to get on with our lives.