What more should be in your story? Combat PTSD Wounded Times Kathie Costos September 17, 2018 Every now and then, it gets hard to do more than stare at a blank screen. Flipping through emails, mostly mindless reports feeling more and more empty, it gets hard to find a reason to not walk away from the computer. Today was one of those days. I went through emails going back over 10 years, hoping to be encouraged, as usual, but this time, I was more discouraged. How the hell did I go from being the go-to on PTSD to being buried by the BS that has taken over social media? It is easy to feel useless. Easy to think that I've really given all I have to give. Nothing new to say, because nothing has changed in the basic design of humans but there are just more needing help. Maybe that is what I needed to see today. Believing in what you are doing, being able to do it, can become so much a part of your identity, it is in your DNA. Being reminded of that feeling of being useless, it is easier for me to explain why men and women, put their lives on the line willingly, get wounded or disabled, and it rips their soul to not be able to do it any longer. It became a part of who they were, not just what they did. They paid dearly for every ounce of courage, every pull of compassion and every hopeful step they walked while believing, it was not just a matter of they could make a difference, but had to try. To believe that there is nothing more they can give, just shows how blind we have made them to be. We allow some to beat them down as if they are broken beyond repair. We let them feel sorry for themselves instead of helping them stand up. They cannot see the value they still have by being in the unique position to help all the others just like them. This veteran from the UK lived to tell of how he knew what it was like to become "useless" in his own eyes because he could not see the truth was still within his soul. The ex-soldier survived the suicide bid and says that it helped him appreciate his life more
An ex-soldier who jumped in front of a train while suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder has apologised to those who witnessed his attempted suicide.
Perry Tatler kissed his two young children goodbye for what he believed was for the last time before heading to the train station.
Despite throwing himself in front of a train, the 29-year-old survived to encourage suicidal people to seek help.
The father of two remains in hospital five months on, having sustained a broken back, shoulder and ribs, and a bleed on the brain.
Trying to help others stay alive! Isn't that a lot better than talking about something they already know how to do? They already know how to die...they don't know how to heal! There is so much more that can be in your story. You just need to know how to keep adding to the ending!
This morning on PTSD Patrol, we're talking about how some people want to think veterans are all broken, damaged beyond repair. You know, the ones who think we're all supposed to feel like giving up. After over 3 decades, it would be easy for me to explain the difference between "broken" and what a survivor looks like. It is like looking at a vintage car that has been fully restored.
Your ride may be getting old, but it is far from ready for the junk yard. Most people value antiques and if you are a senior veteran, that is a great way to look at what comes with age. You have a lot of miles on your spare tires. Your shock absorbers may be a little worn out. You may need some body work. The truth is, you survived all of the events that put miles on your ride. A lot of them were bad but more of them were good times. read more here
She was sure she was about to die at Navy Yard, and five years later has built a new life Washington Post Anne E Marimow September 15, 2018
The anniversary comes as a group of victims’ relatives and survivors, including Stultz, have reached settlements in their negligence lawsuits against two private companies that employed Alexis, who was fatally shot by police who flooded the scene. The agreements close a chapter for the 15 plaintiffs who went to federal court in Washington seeking a combined $189 million in claimed damages.
Lori Lee Stultz no longer works at the Washington Navy Yard, where she escaped a mass shooting in 2013. She now runs a linens company that she credits with helping her heal. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)
When the first shots were fired inside Building 197 at the Washington Navy Yard, Lori Lee Stultz huddled beneath a desk with two colleagues, gripping their hands and trying to stay quiet, certain they’d be killed.
All around her, glass shattered, fire alarms blared, desk phones rang incessantly, and a colleague screamed, “Help me!”
The shooter, Aaron Alexis, gunned down 12 Navy civilian personnel and contractors that morning in September 2013, including too many of Stultz’s friends and colleagues from 15 years at the Navy Yard.
Stultz, of Arlington, and about 20 other survivors from Building 197 plan to gather Sunday to mark five years since the mass shooting.
“You become part of a strange community that no one else understands. We’re not crying; we’re just remembering,” Stultz said. “You can’t really talk to other people about it. It’s just upsetting, and they don’t know what to say.” read more here
Thank you Al Whitaker! We’ll miss your flair for going after scam artists, fighting for what’s right and telling rich stories WHNT 19 News Denise Vickers September 15, 2018
Al fought for a veteran who fought for our country. Al’s story began, “Ron Buis served his country with honor but now he’s serving time.” Buis was charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling – a felony and he was being held without bond. Al’s narrative explained, “It’s not that Buis was outside shooting into someone else’s house. He was in his mobile home and the bullets traveled into the mobile homes near his. It happened on more than one occasion, too. His friends tell us Ron wasn’t trying to hurt anyone. They say he was shooting at the voices in his head.” Buis came home from Vietnam with a Purple Heart, a Vietnamese Citation for Gallantry with Bronze and Silver stars, and a Gold Star from the Marines in lieu of a second Purple Heart. Al’s story revealed, “He also brought with him the haunting memories of a horrible experience that would later manifest themselves as psychotic depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” On live tv, Al stared directly into the camera and closed his report vowing, “Mr. Buis, we make you this promise, sir, we will not rest until you get the help you need. And we promise you we’ll keep you apprised of any developments.” It took 5 months, but Al Got Results for Buis. read more here
It's about me North West Florida Daily News By Kaylin Parker Posted Sep 15, 2018
“One of the reasons that made me do it that very first time I did it, someone said, ‘it’s about me,’ and I get that all the time,” Morgan said. “It wasn’t a show. It wasn’t a pity party. It was about me, and that means something.”
Members of the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors team bring fish to the weigh scales during the 6th Annual Soldiers on the Water deep sea fishing event.
Michael Snyder Daily News
DESTIN — Combat wounded troops, caregivers, service dogs and active-duty military were among the large crowd on hand Saturday for the 6th Annual Soldiers on the Water event hosted by the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors.
Natalie Sayles, who lives in Atlanta, has been coming for three years. She served as an Army combat medic for 17 years and was medically discharged in 2012 after breaking both her legs during training.
Sayles said she enjoys the “camaraderie” among the veterans.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to take care of myself medically, so I like to try to extend that favor ... through conversation, through talking,” Sayles said.
Soldiers on the Water features a free fishing trip for veterans or active-duty troops who have combat-related injuries. read more here
NC National Guard has ‘historic’ response to Hurricane Florence Fayetteville Observer Drew Brooks September 14, 2018
North Carolina National Guard troops are working alongside first responders as Hurricane Florence makes its way inland.
Officials said they know the worst is yet to come as the state prepares for more flooding and high winds.
Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division prepare themselves and their equipment for the potential impacts of Hurricane Florence at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, Ga September 13. In addition to the Army's preparation happening on bases, Hunter Army Airfield has become a staging point for U.S. Coast Guard helicopters who mat be called on to assist in hurricane response efforts.
“We still have just over 2,800 National Guardsmen on state active duty,” said Lt. Col. Matt DeVivo, a spokesman for the NCNG.
That is the most troops ever activated ahead of a major storm.
“We’ve never had this many already ready to respond,” DeVivo said. read more here
Julia Roberts is here to help them in this trailer for Amazon’s Homecoming Critical Hit Entertainment By Craig Risi September 14, 2018
Four years later, Heidi has started a new life, living with her mother (Sissy Spacek) and working as a small-town waitress, when a Department of Defense auditor (Shea Whigham) comes to her with questions about why she left the Homecoming facility. Heidi begins to realize that there’s a whole other story behind the story she’s been telling herself
These days it’s not just books, plays and other formerly successful shows that form the source of inspiration for new TV series, but also podcasts, which is exactly what Sam Esmail, creator of Mr Robot, has done here for Amazon Prime’s new series Homecoming. And if Esmail’s name doesn’t already get your attention, then its list of actors most certainly will as the series will be headed up by none other than Julia Roberts and features a support cast that makes even a hit blockbuster movie look week by comparison with Sissy Spacek, Dermot Mulroney, Bobby Cannavale, Frankie Shaw, Shae Whigham, Alex Karpovsky, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste also starring.
It’s certainly an impressive cast list and has my attention. Homecoming explores the subject of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in soldiers and much like Esmail’s aforementioned hit series Mr Robot, it explores a topic that is highly relevant. And based on this first trailer for the series, it’s also similar to Mr Robot in that it’s not afraid to go a little bonkers and leave you in a state of not knowing what is reality and what isn’t: read more here
Homecoming Season 1 - Official Trailer | Prime Video
Man pleads guilty to threatening airline crew on flight to New Orleans NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune By Laura McKnight September 14, 2018
A New Jersey man pleaded guilty Thursday (Sept. 13) in a New Orleans federal court to interfering with an airline crew after he drunkenly threatened the plane's captain and crew during a flight last fall from Chicago to New Orleans, court records show.
Joel Michael Bane, 39, also struck two local law-enforcement officers who had boarded the plane upon its arrival in New Orleans to escort Bane off the aircraft, according to a factual basis for Bane's plea agreement.
U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo set sentencing for Dec. 13.
Flying off into the sunset as a flight departs to the north from Louis Armstrong International Airport in Kenner, La. Tuesday, September 15, 2015. (Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune) ((Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.c)
An airport worker described Bane as "very large and very muscular" and warned law-enforcement that "four or five officers would be needed to remove the passenger from the plane," according to court records.
DeSalvo said that his client, a military veteran diagnosed with PTSD, was reacting in accordance with his training.
"It was just a very unfortunate situation where I think there was a lack of communication, and Mr. Bane was suffering from PTSD from six tours in the Middle East," DeSalvo said, adding that Bane's PTSD has been deemed "a total and permanent disability."
Bane faced up to 20 years in prison for the conviction, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. But he will receive no prison time and be ordered to probation as part of a plea agreement, defense attorney Frank DeSalvo said Friday. DeSalvo said the incident was caused by miscommunication and compounded by his client's post-traumatic stress disorder. The disturbance, caught at least partially on cellphone video, occurred Oct. 13 as Southwest Airlines Flight 208 neared Louis Armstrong International Airport.
read more here
‘Fighting for his guys’ lives’ in Afghanistan: Marine got off over 400 rounds after having his leg blown off Military Times By: J.D. Simkins 4 hours ago
After nearly melting the barrel from sending over 400 rounds toward enemy positions, Gustafson finally acquiesced to the requests of other Marines to tend to his wounds when he swapped his place in the turret with another Marine.
Then-Lance Cpl. Brady Gustafson is presented the Navy Cross, the Marine Corps' second highest award for valor. (Pfc. Michael T. Gams/Marine Corps)
Brady Gustafson and the Marines from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment were rolling through the village of Shewan, Afghanistan, in July 2008 when they suddenly noticed villagers shrinking away from the convoy of mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, an ominous sign of what was to come just moments later.
With the streets virtually clear of civilians, all hell broke loose as an estimated 100 Taliban fighters attacked the convoy with rocket-propelled grenades and machine-gun fire, part of a calculated, multiple angle ambush.
Gustafson’s MRAP was quickly struck by an RPG that ripped through the hull and exploded inside. The blast shredded his lower leg and sent an inferno up through the turret, where he was manning the mounted M240B machine gun. read more here
Suicide survivor sharing hope with Missoula students KTVH NBC News Anna Penner-Ray September 13, 2018
MISSOULA – Willard Alternative High School in Missoula invited musician and suicide survivor David Simmons to host a three-day workshop as part of National Suicide Prevention Week.
Simmons says he’s been inspired to bring awareness and education to teenagers and says his message is a celebration of life in the wake of his 2009 suicide attempt.
Willard students will collaborate with Simmons during the workshop to write a song about a journey of happiness and celebration.
Simmons says it’s a natural fit to use his musical and educational background to reach the students, and the connection is tremendous.
“The reason music works for me is that it instantly gives kids a voice. The two things for me are never give up, tell your story — just keep those things going,” said Simmons who founded the UBU Project.
“If you plant that seed with someone young enough hopefully they don’t get to the point that I did in later years, because they will be in the habit of telling their stories and expressing themselves,” he added. read more here
