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I want to applaud Gina Hamilton (and Brandon Carter) of the Coastal Journal staff for the articles on PTSD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder]. For many people of this state and country, the war has been put on the back burner, and to some people, it was never their concern.
For the small minority of us who have loved ones who have returned from this ill-gotten war, the war in Iraq is still with us everyday as we deal with our loved ones who have suffered physically, emotionally, or psychologically. I would dare say that over two-thirds of those returning from the war suffer PTSD.
When one looks at my son, they see a strong, sturdy, intelligent human being, but under the exterior is a back crippled with pain and a soul who has been diagnosed as 60% disabled because of PSTD. A trip home from Minnesota to celebrate Christmas with his parents was a joy for Ben, but one filled with nightmares as he did not take his medicine that helps him sleep at night because he wanted to drink a little wine.
In a conversation with his father Ben told Dexter that he will never forget that the bullets from his gun killed ten human beings. Ben’s therapy consists of a 15-minute session every six weeks. How many Bens are out there? This is how we treat these wounded soldiers. Shame on us all.
Gretchen Kamilewicz
Orr’s Island
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