I wanted to share with you the letter I wrote to the Editor of "The Post Star".

I am writing in response to “Wounded US Troops return to Iraq to find closure”

I would like to express how hard it is emotionally to revisit those old wounds.  For those who have suffered with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Our minds have revisited it over and over again, without prompting it to do so. The nightmares, terror, smells, sounds, vibrations and visuals are triggers we never asked for.  It is not often talked about.

I have been living with PTSD for two years. I have revisited places of trauma, spoke with others involved and have dealt with numerous professionals.  There is a huge Stigma involved for the emotionally wounded. Why? I ask why?

I didn’t lose a leg, I didn’t lose an arm. I don’t have scars on my face. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t wearing service cloths. I wasn’t in Iraq, I wasn’t even a US Troop.

I was a victim in a different war. A civilian on US soil, a child who never asked to be abused verbally, physically and sexually. As an adult I never asked to be raped.  

I didn’t ask for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and neither did they.

When you go four miles in, you must come four miles out.  It’s hard to do. It takes every bit of courage, faith, and strength to be a survivor. It’s the fight we can never give up! Let’s keep going!  Love, Forgiveness and Peace… I will keep you in my prayers, God Bless!

Tags: A Different Kind Of War Stigma PTSDRape Abuse

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