Vet whose Medal of Honor ceremony was used in 'Forrest Gump' tells of PTSD struggles
Source: Omaha World Herald
By Steve Liewer
The man in the military dress uniform blew a mournful Shenandoah on his harmonica, his audience in a ballroom at the CenturyLink Center still and silent.
Sammy L. Davis, a Medal of Honor recipient, learned to play the song as a young Army private in Vietnam for a sergeant in his unit who loved the river and the song. The sergeant told Davis it renewed his heart.
Years later, he would start a tradition of playing the tune at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. in front of the spot on Panel 50E, Row 13, where the sergeant's name, Johnston Dunlop, is etched on the wall.
I hope it finds a place in your heart and renews your soul, Davis told the crowd of 540, who had gathered to hear him speak at a $50-a-plate fundraiser for At Ease USA, an Omaha-based veterans support group.
FULL story at link.
Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20140127/LIVEWELL01/140128719/1685#vet-whose-medal-of-honor-ceremony-was-used-in-forrest-gump-tells-of-ptsd-struggles
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Sammy L. Davis and his wife, Dixie, said they still feel the effects of the trauma of Sammy Davis' service in Vietnam more than 45 years ago. He is still tormented by nightmares. I fight that battle almost every night, he said. It doesn't go away.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Instead of avoiding "triggers" they confront them. Not for the amateur, certainly, but under the supervision of a doctor, it can be life changing.
I have seen people helped by this approach.
Victor_c3
(3,557 posts)I'm about 4 - 5 sessions away from completing a 16 week protocol as an outpatient.
For me, I wouldn't say that it took all of the PTSD away yet, but I have noticed a reduction in the severity of some of my symptoms.
MADem
(135,425 posts)If, at the end of your protocol, if you don't feel as though you're "done" yet, consider asking for more, if you think it is helping you.
I have an acquaintance who had some serious unresolved PTSD from his Swift Boat years in Southeast Asia who is a changed man as a result of that therapy. It made an astounding difference with him. His main regret was that he waited so damned long to get some help, but he's making the most of life now.
I also have a relative who got a lot out of that protocol, too--he's a work in progress, as we all are!
The Wizard
(12,554 posts)turned my life around. For thirty years I felt like I was pissing into the wind. After 30 years it is chronic and needs regular attention. There are times when it sneaks up and brings about unwarranted responses to normal situations.
The sooner it's addressed the better.
Our group discussions revolve around how to cope with everyday life today and how things that happened 45 plus years ago still keep us from certain activities.