05/17/2026
Today marks 1 month since we lost Stephen ‘OD’ to a medical emergency.
I wrote the below in August of 2022. Thought today was a good day to share it again. OD fought everyday for himself and others that were struggling. He had his ups and down, but he never gave up!
Stephen you are greatly missed!!! 💔
PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
This is what combat PTSD looks like, at least one of the many sides of it.
Visited a friend a for a few days, and I snapped this picture when he needed a moment. (I received his permission to share)
He has been fighting to keep his PTSD benefits. He had a hearing earlier in the day, and learned that he will have to be evaluated once again, due to insignificant / lack of details in his paperwork .
All because the system is not built or structured to support them in a manner that allows veterans to continue to get the help / support, they want and need.
This will require him to relive the traumatic events (PTSD) and be forced to share them, yet again, to people that do not have a personal investment in him, only to make a decision to continue his benefits or reduce them, to meet a lack of budget this county has for our veterans .
Veterans who sacrifice to serve for our country to protect you and me!
Or in his own words - ‘The course of action will hopefully prevail, I'm just exhausted in reliving my PTSD just so pencil pushers feel comfortable with the enter tab on the keyboard’
The VA will support other veterans with their need for medication or a medical device without taking those benefits from them, so why do they feel they can take benefits from those that need help to treat their PTSD. Just because they’ve shown improvement after therapy. PTSD does not go away, it’s not mended like a broken bone. Therapy is there to help individuals cope and provide movement in healing, but triggers are always out there.
What most don’t understand, PTSD is not a curable disorder for combat veterans. It takes work everyday to continue on the path of life, PTSD isn’t something you can ‘just get over’
They can’t take a pill or use a machine to make it better. They have to put work into it each day, therapy, friends, family, loved ones who will lean an ear to listen and understand, they don’t need us to ‘fix it’. Just to be there anytime they reach out. You answering their call could be the difference between life and death. Someone saved his life over a year ago with just answering his call.
I’m so happy I got to spend a few great days with him! I love you to pieces!
Thank you to all that read this all the way through.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (22 a day)
Last quote from him (on a good day)
‘No one is me and that is my superpower. ‘
If you need help please call 988 or call a loved one. If someone you know is going through PTSD or just a rough times be there for them when they need you. Reach out and check on them!
