The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

If In San Diego, Consider Supporting ‘Healing the Unseen Wound’

Posted on | December 16, 2011 | 5 Comments

by Smitty

I grew up in San Dog as a Navy brat, and served in three ships out of 32nd Street. Were I still on the left coast, I’d volunteer for Healing the Unseen Wound. Having spent some time in Afghanistan, albeit as a little FOBbit, I can appreciate the seriousness of both the visible wounds of IED victims and the PTSD/TBI (post traumatic stress disorder/traumatic brain injury).

Even before going to the ‘Stan, I had an office mate who, as a Marine Corps Reservist, was yanked out of college and sent overseas in a mortuary affairs unit. His PTSD symptoms from picking up the pieces played out in serious obsessive-compulsive disorder. He spent time re-arranging and cleaning things, as though removing tiny bits of entropy from the universe could make it all right. It wound up wrecking his marriage.

Looking at the roster, this is a serious, substantial effort and worthy of support. May fortune smile upon Healing the Unseen Wound.

Category: Culture, Military

Comments

5 Responses to “If In San Diego, Consider Supporting ‘Healing the Unseen Wound’”

  1. TR
    December 16th, 2011 @ 5:24 pm

    Smitty!
    Man of men.
    Thanks brother.

  2. Rodtheold
    December 16th, 2011 @ 6:20 pm

    They got a  Master Gunny asa director. Good enough for me.

    An old exJarhead

  3. Anonymous
    December 17th, 2011 @ 12:31 am

    Another great organization helping veterans:  OneFreedom.  Check out http://www.onefreedom.org/.  Marine is CEO, two vets on the treatment team. 

  4. Anonymous
    December 17th, 2011 @ 2:58 pm

    Great article, Smitty. If I can make a request, it would be to please stop referring to the condition as PTSD. It’s not a disorder. There’s nothing wrong with the men and women who have served overseas, and who bear the psychological costs of the war. I’m with Soldiers Angels, and we refer to it as PTS. It’s how you deal with the stress post-trauma. There’s no disorder, and no shame in seeking help for the problem.

  5. Under the Fedora: Communists, Lies, and the Unseen Wound
    December 24th, 2011 @ 1:36 am

    […] who is back from a year in Afghanistan, has this to say about the group: Even before going to the ’Stan, I had an office mate who, as a Marine Corps Reservist, was […]