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.
Today I got a once in a lifetime request to use my PTSD story in, of all things, a newspaper column. It came from a former classmate in seminary when I was studying to be a hospital chaplain 10 years ago. Since my health broke and I had a PTSD crash, I really feel like I've salvaged a life from it all. But the article was a lot more complimentary than that. I gave my permission and my gratitude, too.
TRIGGER WARNING
I was sent a copy of the article, which I share here in part. I must warn you it might look like I'm bragging in sharing it. It may trigger notions I'm a narcissist in sharing it. But I live alone and I don't have another soul in the world to share it with. And it seems like the kind of thing to share. If for no other reason than than that we deal with stigma so often. I's a big surprise when anyone sees us and our PTSD recovery as an inspiration. So here it is, with names changed for anonymity:
"One of the highlights of the recent Thanksgiving holiday was having coffee with my friend Muicaptsd. Mujicaptsd and I went to seminary together.
In a downtown coffee shop, we asked ourselves how can we find our way to hope when the world we inhabit is so broken?
But Muji knows something about finding ones way to hope. Mujis father was a fundamentalist Christian missionary. His call to ministry brought the entire family to Uruguay during the years of military dictatorship. Muji grew up in an environment where he had no choice but to see and experience terrible things, in a society where democracy was destroyed by violence and corruption.
Yet, each time I reconnect with Muji, he reminds me that Uruguay is now one of the most progressive democratic nations in the world, with many of those who were tortured during the dictatorship now leading the country. The President, Jos Mujica, is known, in part, for giving away 90% of his income and living in a humble house.
Muji is careful to not suggest that such a happy ending was inevitable. As he put it, some worlds do end. Sometimes there is no hope. But, as his own life reflects, sometimes just surviving defiantly maintaining our existence is enough to create the possibility for hope. His presence with me that day spoke to the power of simple endurance.
May creating more hope in this world be our true gift this Christmas season."
TRIGGER WARNING
I was sent a copy of the article, which I share here in part. I must warn you it might look like I'm bragging in sharing it. It may trigger notions I'm a narcissist in sharing it. But I live alone and I don't have another soul in the world to share it with. And it seems like the kind of thing to share. If for no other reason than than that we deal with stigma so often. I's a big surprise when anyone sees us and our PTSD recovery as an inspiration. So here it is, with names changed for anonymity:
"One of the highlights of the recent Thanksgiving holiday was having coffee with my friend Muicaptsd. Mujicaptsd and I went to seminary together.
In a downtown coffee shop, we asked ourselves how can we find our way to hope when the world we inhabit is so broken?
But Muji knows something about finding ones way to hope. Mujis father was a fundamentalist Christian missionary. His call to ministry brought the entire family to Uruguay during the years of military dictatorship. Muji grew up in an environment where he had no choice but to see and experience terrible things, in a society where democracy was destroyed by violence and corruption.
Yet, each time I reconnect with Muji, he reminds me that Uruguay is now one of the most progressive democratic nations in the world, with many of those who were tortured during the dictatorship now leading the country. The President, Jos Mujica, is known, in part, for giving away 90% of his income and living in a humble house.
Muji is careful to not suggest that such a happy ending was inevitable. As he put it, some worlds do end. Sometimes there is no hope. But, as his own life reflects, sometimes just surviving defiantly maintaining our existence is enough to create the possibility for hope. His presence with me that day spoke to the power of simple endurance.
May creating more hope in this world be our true gift this Christmas season."
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I feel so dirty and used I was drunk and passed out at a party when I came around some guy was on top of me rapeing me he covered my mouth and told me to shut up afterwards he got up and got dressed and said I better not tell anyone I found my friend and reported that I had been raped after having medical checks and them getting DNA I've taken the morning after pill IAM just so depressed and...
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Upon his departure, he remarked, "I am in many people’s pockets; no one will believe you." Have you ever grappled with the silence that follows sexual assault, where the perceived impossibility of being believed necessitates self-censorship?
However, it does not seem narcissistic.
Sharing your story, and what you have learned, is a gift to you and a gift to the world. Someone who can heal past all that trauma and articulate what he has learned is someone who should be heard. To the extent that you are comfortable with it, your story should be heard.
Though I understand your warning, and for some it might be necessary, but not here. When I came to the site you are one of the first that showed me was okay to speak. And that was constantly reinforced by other members here. So I see this article is something to archive in your mujicptsd life story. As my dad would say it leaves your thumbprint in the world.
Congratulations on the recognition and pat on the back by your colleague.
Jewells
The small bit be got to read was such a treat. I hope one day you will share all of it with us. Thanks for that. When you say you live alone and have no other soul to share it with it feels very sad cause you have us or at least me now that we are here together. I dont know if you choose to live alone or not but I know that loneliness and I live with someone right now but I haven't always. You are so brave to share your story with the world congratulations. Hugs to you my friend.