Today June 1st sparks the beginning of PTSD awareness month, and today I'm rocking my teal t-shirt in solidarity for PTSD awareness. I feel like this would be a great time to address a common question that I get in my Facebook inbox whenever I link my blog. And that question is:
Why do you call your Blog 'Worth Fighting For'?
Well, simply put, because life with PTSD can sometimes seem like a constant fight. Those of us close to PTSD fight every day against a system that seems uncaring. We fight against a society that doesn't understand. We fight amongst ourselves because of inequality of VA care between the different veteran eras. We fight for our rights, for awareness, for fairness. But 'fighting' doesn't always mean violence!
I get extremely annoyed when people assume that simply because my husband lives with PTSD that our home is somehow unsafe or a proverbial pressure cooker by nature. The only person liable to explode violently when approached with well intended "advice" on my safety and the safety of my daughters is me. I never, ever react well to that kind of intervention. So, I fight the stereotypes that follow PTSD, one well-meaning person at a time. And today, I'd like to challenge you to do something for PTSD Awareness Month.
If you live with PTSD, as a sufferer or as a loved one, share your story. It's never easy, to attempt to explain what you go through, but knowing you're not alone can help. Sharing your story helps others who struggle, those don't understand, those who are misinformed. It helps obliterate stereotypes and stigma, and create understanding and compassion. I'm fond of the quote "there is not a person in the world you would not love, if you have read their story". I find this especially true when dealing with PTSD.
If you don't live with PTSD, take this month as a challenge to educate yourself. There is an overwhelming amount of information at your fingertips, and just a little education goes a long way in furthering general understanding and acceptance of PTSD . Learn what to say to those with PTSD, and what not to say. Realize that asking probing questions about military service or combat action isn't appropriate, and can trigger flashbacks. Asking how someone's feeling that day probably won't. It's fine to tell a person with PTSD that you're there for them, it isn't fine to say that you understand what they're going through.
Realize that for those unfamiliar with PTSD, it's not uncommon to avoid being around or feel uneasy being near someone with PTSD. It's also vital to remember that combat wounded veterans with PTSD are, first and foremost, still human. They still need friends and family. Encouragement. Compassion. Support. Don't be shy of freely giving those things, you never know when kind words are needed.
In essence, to answer the many times over asked question, I named my blog 'Worth Fighting For,' because I believe my Squee, my combat PTSD veteran, is worth fighting for, in any way I can, every single day. We fight for his rights, for his care, for his health, and we will continue to fight, because he already fought for us.
