Have you decided to get into your life and drive? PTSD Patrol Sunday Morning Empowerment Zone Kathie Costos August 12, 2018
When you are a passenger, you do not control anything. Someone else is in control of where you go, how fast you get there and how safe your trip is.
When you are the driver, then you decide all of it! Where you go and how fast you get there is all up to the decisions you make. There are things you decide in your own life. Do you want to be happy? Do you want to stay miserable? How you live can change just as it did when you survived the events that caused PTSD. This time, it can change for the better! PTSD is change, so, change again! It is your life. Get in and drive it instead of letting it drive you!
PTSD Patrol Sunday Morning Empowerment Zone topic is are you a passenger in your own life or a driver?
Iraq War veteran, radio host David Bellavia to run for 27th Congressional District WHAM ABC News 13 August 11, 2018
Buffalo, N.Y. (WHAM) - Decorated Iraq War veteran and radio host David Bellavia will run for Congress to represent New York’s 27th District.
Bellavia confirmed his decision to run Saturday, hours after Rep. Chris Collins announced he will not be running for reelection. read more here
Bellavia spoke at the Point Man conference in Buffalo last year.
Money Raised for Veterans Charities at Hog Heaven for Heroes News 9 and 10 Bret Greenacre August 11, 2018
“Well, I woke up in the middle of the night with a dream, and it just blossomed from there.”
It started as a dream, but it’s now become reality, helping to raise money for charity.
Saturday, people are going hog wild at an event to raise money for veterans organizations.
People at Saturday’s “Hog Heaven for Heroes” event at Hopewell Ranch in Weidman are being treated to everything from a roast pork dinner to live music — and even a live auction.
The money raised is going to two veterans organizations that support veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: Project Solomon and Reboot Combat Recovery.
About three years ago we pulled together a group of veterans to create an advisory board so we could expand our programming to help veterans struggling with PTSD,” said Jodi Stuber, executive director of Hopewell Ranch. “We’re really excited to have this great event here today.” read more here
Ed Smith, would-be loner and World War II veteran, dies at 92 Star Tribune By Emma Nelson AUGUST 11, 2018 Those who knew him describe a man whose life was colored by tragedy from the beginning, but punctuated until the end by moments of grace.
Smith was able to bring Puffy when he spent the night at St. Stephen’s. Later, with help from the organization and Novatney, he moved into an apartment. When Puffy died, Smith asked that the dog be cremated and the ashes tucked inside a stuffed animal that he could hold as he slept.
The RV stood in the same downtown Minneapolis parking lot, day in and day out, never moving.
Don Novatney could see it from the building where he worked and wondered if someone was living inside. He hoped not — it was deep winter and frigid cold.
Then, one Sunday, he read a newspaper story about a World War II veteran living in an unheated RV.
“I drove over there and knocked on his door and asked him if he was the person in that article,” Novatney recalled. “And he said yes.”
Shortly after, the man, Ed Smith, also caught the attention of the VA. He soon started receiving enough benefits to move out of the RV, and he lived the rest of his life in an apartment building for seniors in Minneapolis.
Smith died July 25 at age 92. Those who knew him describe a man whose life was colored by tragedy from the beginning, but punctuated until the end by moments of grace.
“He didn’t really have anybody most of his life,” Novatney said. “He just wanted somebody to know his story.” read more here
Why are NATO Defense leaders making our jobs impossible? After decades of endless hours working to get them to overcome the stigma of PTSD, advocates have been showing them how much hope there is in healing, veterans continue to be dumped after duty! We tell them to ask for help in this battle the same way they asked for help to do their duties in combat. We tell them the same people who would have died for them in combat, will listen to them now. We tell them everything they need to hear but cannot say their government will be there for them too! Mum who found dead body of soldier son who served in Afghanistan says Army “can’t be bothered” to help men like him The Mirror UK Sean Rayment August 11, 2108
Kevin Holt, a former member of the 2nd Battalion, was discovered dead by his mother Shirley – who said the Army “can’t be bothered” to help men like him
Shirley Parker Holt with the shrine to the son she buried last Friday (Image: John Gladwin/Sunday Mirror)
The regiment with the highest Afghan war casualty toll is still suffering losses as its heroes battle demons in civilian life.
The Rifles lost 55 dead and 252 wounded serving on the front line but its mentally traumatised veterans continue to die young.
A fortnight ago Kevin Holt, a former member of the 2nd Battalion who had always dreamed of being a soldier, was discovered dead at 29 by his mum Shirley – who said the Army “can’t be bothered” to help men like him.
Kevin’s death a fortnight ago, after nearly a decade of struggling with post traumatic stress disorder, remains a mystery.
But this year alone at least six men who served in the Rifles have taken their own lives, including one in the past week.
Cleaner Shirley, who found Kevin’s body in the caravan he used as his home, said he never got over what he had witnessed in Afghanistan.
Shirley insisted aftercare had been totally lacking, saying: “It was like the Army couldn’t wait to get rid of him. As soon as he was diagnosed everything stopped and he was told he was going to be discharged.
“That was it – no help, no counseling, nothing. He even had to wait four years for a pension. read more here
