| |
Testimonial
Female Veteran
Serving my country is one of the greatest honors I could behold. Even though I was in a place where I couldn’t tell the difference between the local family trying to strive to make a better life and the evil blood thirsty enemy.
I became always on guard, always on alert ready to react to any situation that could occur at any time. It became easy. My body and my mind were in sink to protect the innocent and to defeat the enemy.
The hard part for me was coming home. Family and friends surrounded me to show their love and gratitude and they were thankful I was finally safe at home. I felt overwhelmed. People were too close to me, my mind went to all directions to see how many were behind me, what was in their hand, who was coming in from the hall way, jumping and turning to see who just put their hand on my shoulder.
My body was tense, my mind raced, my heart beat so fast so intense. Where was a safe place, where was my machine gun, where was my backup. It was like a million thoughts in one second.
I could not keep myself from reacting. Yes, I was in a safe place surrounded by loved ones
But my mind and my body was still in a heighten awareness mode.
I couldn’t come home and just be me, the same person that left. I came home a different person. I was always on alert. I had to know what every sound was. From a sleep I would rise suddenly out of bed because of a sound so quiet that no one else could even hear. A raindrop would sound like an explosive in my mind, so loud, so close. I had to react.
I met with OEF OIF after being home for about 2 years. My counselor Travis met with me on a regular basis and even though I never told him of any experiences of my fellow soldiers in Afghanistan he made me realize all of my thoughts and actions were normal. I wasn’t alone.
I finally told him one of the nightmares I had. He explained it to me and it made so much sense. It meant something different to me after we talked about it.
I began to feel a little bit more normal. OEF OIF can help the returning soldiers and their families.
You have done your part; now let OEF OIF do their part to help make you whole again. You have to take the first step. Call them. They are there for you! They helped me and my family.
Cathi Johnson and my family
Ellettsville, Indiana. |
|
