Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
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Every month or so I speak on PTSD at one of two churches in my area, and today I spoke at one. I'm free to speak from the heart without having to actually belong to the church. I had the best time with the church folks I had had in a long time. We kind of know each other now. They know that I teach death and dying classes at the college. Before I got out of my car, the guy for whom I did the funeral when his wife died in February met me. He asked me to be a part of a private memorial he's arranging for her.
Another guy then met me at the door. Before I could even enter the church he was reporting to me that the anniversary of his wife's death just happened. He wanted to tell me how he got through it well. He went to a park where there were some swans and released balloons in her memory. He was miserable when I saw him a month ago but he was happy today and really excited to tell me about his little ritual.
Then a nice older couple pulled me aside to talk to me about their grown son, who is having a PTSD crisis. He's not answered his phone for 48 hours now, so the father in the couple has decided he has to have his son committed to a VA hospital. I just listened. He literally cried on my shoulder. I had heard fellow members speak here about such things, so I just knew to listen.
I got to speak about the Orlando shootings from the pulpit and how I'm going through the 5 stages of grief about it. I told them that now I'm in the anger stage, and that's ok. It was good to give their grief permission.
We went to lunch afterward, and hung out until 3pm. I never felt more useful, and that possibly includes in my college work. It was a real bonus to be there today. The conversations we have here have really helped me with my conversations at that church. I told them about DS PTSD today, of course.
I am far from finished with my PTSD recovery, I realize that every day I come here and learn something more. It's nice to share what I learn out there, though. It kind of cements it for me in the process.
I have heard of a couple of other members from here at DS PTSD who have spoken publicly, too. Anybody speak out there lately?
Another guy then met me at the door. Before I could even enter the church he was reporting to me that the anniversary of his wife's death just happened. He wanted to tell me how he got through it well. He went to a park where there were some swans and released balloons in her memory. He was miserable when I saw him a month ago but he was happy today and really excited to tell me about his little ritual.
Then a nice older couple pulled me aside to talk to me about their grown son, who is having a PTSD crisis. He's not answered his phone for 48 hours now, so the father in the couple has decided he has to have his son committed to a VA hospital. I just listened. He literally cried on my shoulder. I had heard fellow members speak here about such things, so I just knew to listen.
I got to speak about the Orlando shootings from the pulpit and how I'm going through the 5 stages of grief about it. I told them that now I'm in the anger stage, and that's ok. It was good to give their grief permission.
We went to lunch afterward, and hung out until 3pm. I never felt more useful, and that possibly includes in my college work. It was a real bonus to be there today. The conversations we have here have really helped me with my conversations at that church. I told them about DS PTSD today, of course.
I am far from finished with my PTSD recovery, I realize that every day I come here and learn something more. It's nice to share what I learn out there, though. It kind of cements it for me in the process.
I have heard of a couple of other members from here at DS PTSD who have spoken publicly, too. Anybody speak out there lately?
jewells1
Muji, I have in some of my classes and definately on some of my discussion posts for my online classes. It helps explain why my view on things like child, spouse and the many reasons I am here, are different than what others are saying. Most of the feedback is positive, though it does leave some scratching their heads, I hope they never have to understand.
MillaSofia
I have.
CrazyCanuk
I have my first speaking engagement on July 18th. I am waiting for more information on the group I will be speaking too, how long I have to speak, and what they want me to focus on.
mujicaptsd
It's a scary thing to do, but I find it rewarding, and not just there with those people. It seems to boost my will to continue PTSD recovery. Did it do that for you?
mujicaptsd
I thought of you when I asked this question here. I thought maybe you'd already done it, CC. Good luck as you prep.
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