Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.

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mujicaptsd 04/29/2016

I've posted here that since I joined DS PTSD about one weekend a month I've spoken about our recovery in small churches in my area. Now I've been asked to go to a big church in Boston and speak about it. It's for an occasion--the installation of a new minister there. I was asked to speak about us because they want a fresh start for the church as a whole with more sensitivity to our issues.

It's a real honor and a big task. They asked me to speak about how we manage to go on after all hope is gone. That's why my speech's title is "Hope After Hope." I'm ready. Tomorrow I fly up to Boston, and Sunday I speak. But I'm nervous, too. Oh boy, am I nervous. My nervousness is reminding me that PTSD is, after all, an anxiety disorder.

Wish me luck. With your support I met the challenge of going up for tenure last month and made it through to get tenure. So with your support I think I can get through my jitters. I want to speak about us to these people who say they want to hear about us. Just wish me luck, ok? I have to admit that I'm nervous.

jewells1 04/29/2016

Well you know the material so that's not a reason, you have done similar speaking engagements in some familiar and some new audiences, so that's not it.

That leaves " Butterflies" an almost normal reaction, now that's scary.

Hugs Muji, You can do this.
J.

LillyPotter 04/29/2016

i'd give you brat - but she'd not represtent you very well,... you'd do so much better with Gertie :O) Gertie's got the best presentation skills :O)

LillyPotter 04/29/2016

oh Muj, I think what Jewels said makes the most sense, don't you? the stage fright is trying to get you.

I would be scared, that's for sure.

what you have to share with them though is about love and it is so important for them to better understand. so, you are teaching them.

maybe that will help? they are better behaved students in a nicer classroom.

hugs, you got this

SunCloudJD 04/29/2016

Big squishy hug of calm muji... I know that you will be great... Think of the people there as your classroom.... You are in my prayers....xo

CrazyCanuk 04/29/2016

I cannot think of a better person for the job. You are a true educator and paving the way to acceptance and reducing stigma.

Mujiji I don't think I ever told you but you have inspired me to speak about my own struggles. I have been accepted as a speaker for a local mental health group. I will be speaking to corporations, high schools and others groups. My message will be one of hope.

Mujiji the courage to come forward comes from you and your support. You are changes lives and providing hope. Keep up the good work my friend

neocortex27 04/30/2016

You'll do great, Muji! Like Jewells said, you're more than familiar with the material and you're used to speaking in front of an audience.

It's indeed a big honour, one I can't think of anyone more suited for than you. I know, I'm repeating myself, but you really are an inspiration, for me and everyone else in this group, for your students, and you will be for your audience in Boston as well, no doubt about that.

Wishing you good luck, although I'm sure you won't need it! Hugs!

mujicaptsd 04/30/2016

Well, I'm off to the airport. Jewells, you make me feel like these butterflies are going to fuel me forward. Lilly, I'll approach it like I'm teaching them--yes, they'll be better behaved than a classroom for sure. Ha! SC, thanks for the hug! Neo, with the way you took on the challenge of your exams so well, I'm inspired to do this. CC, I didn't know you were speaking to a group, too--go for it!

Thanks everybody. Off to do this.

arfie 04/30/2016

I have heard rumors that even the most seasoned performers and public speakers still have to deal with performance anxiety and yes. . . PTSD is an anxiety disorder, after all.

Support and good wishes.

LeoX3 04/30/2016

You got this! Go go Muji! Woooot! Puma power to you:-)

min63 04/30/2016

you go you well do great hugs min

cheesecake88 04/30/2016

Muji, Thoughts and Prayers going out to you, i agree with everyone, you are going to be great, you Are a message of Hope and that is what they want to hear....Big Hugs

mujicaptsd 05/02/2016

I got my speech done, that's what I can say. I told them about us. Wow, was it an uncomfortable environment. A ton of ministers showed up, big shots from rich Boston churches. People with status who went to Harvard and Yale, professionals, then amateur me who teaches at an Appalachian community college. It was humbling.

Some nice people said thank you afterwards, but I had to run to the airport to get back in time for school the next day.

arfie 05/02/2016

I does believe this might be the very trigger sequence which contributed to my 14 years of higher education without the ability to even finish the Freshman core classes. The academics in the humble Universidad del Azuay (where I studied Biology) managed to trigger this response in me. The U.S. Ivy Leagues? Call yourself an Ivy League PhD and I am already dissociating into catatonia. . . I can barely handle the University of Texas student union. I still can't even drive past campuses like Harvard or Yale. When I have driven by road signs pointing the way to them, I had to turn the other way. Couldn't stop myself.

You did it, muji. I am proud of you. Envious, too.

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