Vietnam Vets Help Solve Current PTSD Issues

By Alan Gray, NewsBlaze

There are over 250,000 backlogged PTSD (shell-shock) cases from Vietnam and earlier conflicts, with 25% of our current returning combat veteran's already seeking PTSD treatment and care; we are looking at around 500,000 cases. The existing system has already proven to be overwhelmed by this reality. According to Bill Stroud of Warriors Finding Solace, the system "has shown to be not up to the task." How will the US deal with the other thousands of returning veterans who need PTSD treatment and care?

To continue focusing on 'the good', a team of elder Combat Veterans offers a Peer-Based PTSD Counseling and Treatment Center on Maui. Returning veterans can enter into a process so they can deal with these issues responsibly, while they are fresh.

Stroud says "We older veterans have come to realize that if PTSD issues are not dealt with early on, after many years these disabilities simply become our way of life and we learn to live and deal with them - or not. Our younger Brothers & Sisters deserve better than this and need some kind of effective help now."

The Proposal

The goal is to have 8, six-week programs be run yearly with 75 returning combat vets in each cycle for a total of 600 people per year; this program will run for 5 years serving 3000 veterans. Vets will go to Maui and participate in the program, then return to their communities.

There are Vet Centers in most of the places program participants will go back to, and if the returning veterans choose to work with them, they may provide peer counseling to others in their areas as well as pass on techniques that work to clarify their unique stress while providing internal rebalancing. Those participants, who choose to, can return to Maui and be taught to conduct this program so they could potentially go home and run extended versions of the same meaningful program they underwent.

The Program

The program deals with people whose whole body has had traumatic experiences, which, through messages from their bodies, end up in their brains as thoughts and to their hearts as emotions.

Stroud explains, "It is well known that the brain as an actual organ does nothing itself but process received information and direct responses to our organisms' needs and demands; so our approach is organic rather than therapy-based and proves to provide a more lasting qualitative change."

As these are actual experiences the returning combat vets have had, it will take two main things to discharge the negativity of the past. First, the tested and tried experiences of a positive nature, followed by going inside and identifying and clarifying the 'internal state of being.' Returned vets learn that no part of one's life is so traumatic it can't be turned into a life treasure.

The system's approach is oriented differently than the Western Psychiatric Model in the sense that it is holistic; going to the cause rather than simply focusing on the symptoms.

The system provides the opportunity for positive change at a cellular level while recognizing that at each person's core is a radiant being waiting to emerge.

Techniques include

physical exercise

breathing

meditation

self-analysis

group processing

writing

integral philosophy

relaxation

movement

vitamins

nutrition

peer counseling and techniques of integrating the vital, physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual aspects of oneself

The basis of the programming is based on biological science, cognitive subjective/objective behavior identification and clarification, internal recognition and balancing plus the unification of our spiritual and material selves. This is truly an integral approach gravitating towards the manifestation of 'the good' in our selves with the ability to 'have and lead a good life.' It is not a theory but reality once the necessary work has been done to make changes at an organic level.

Program Criteria

This program is not therapy, nor is it intended to attempt to simply trade one set of thoughts or feelings for another. Those whose PTSD is acted out overtly and are prone to unnecessary violence would not be compatible to the aims of this program until they have settled down enough to be among people and observe generally accepted social behavior. Actual physical violence directed to another person is not acceptable and will not be allowed. Heavily medicated people should not participate because the internal battle to be engaged in demands as much attention and concentration as battles fought in war.

Other criterion for healthy participation in this program relates to the way the veteran approaches their life. Participants must be aware that they are in a 'shocked' state of mind or emotions and that it might be possible to regain internal balance once again, even though they don't have the way to get there by themselves. If they think that this is just the way they are and there is no way out of their situation, they are not ready for this program. They must be open to change and open to sensible assistance.

The last criterion for entering this program is that the Veteran agrees to not quit during the program. To obtain full benefit from this process a person needs to finish; it would be like taking a cake out of the oven five minutes early - not the result we need or are looking for.

Program Costs

Normally a facility to hold a 5-year program like this tends to be quite expensive, but in Maui, the Warriors Finding Solace group provides an environment conducive to healing, health, and recovery for significantly less.

Many other programs have large overheads due to the very expensive treatment personnel and all the technology and pharmacology put into the treatment process. By running this peer-based program on Maui, the costs are more in line with a working person rather than the established professional.

Stroud estimates program costs at 20% or less of many other private or government treatment programs.

Funding Proposal

Stoud says "The proposal for this program was presented to our State Senator at his request, and he welcomed it, but it was quickly seen by us that without maintaining total and complete control of everything from programming to how many times the sheets are changed, etc., they will never fund such a program, especially in a timely manner."

Knowing how valuable and necessary some type of programming is at this time, the group proposes to fund the program through public donations and offer it to our veterans as a gift. The ravages of PTSD cut across the whole spectrum of our culture: Drugs, alcohol, prison, domestic violence, suicide, divorce, and the myriad other behaviors, which manifest from the effects of PTSD. They know that by implementing this program, our whole society will benefit.

The elder Combat Veterans on Maui have the expertise to follow through, but currently lack the monetary resources to achieve it so are asking their brother and sister Americans for help.

There are millions of Veterans in our Nation, plus millions of Supporters. The group seeks donations from individuals and companies who want to contribute to help our Veterans, and our whole Nation, by fulfilling this need.

Warriors Finding Solace is not a political group, but is about the spirit of recognition and generosity of the American People and the realization that each of us can make a positive difference. It is a chance for older vets to pass on something valuable to their younger Brothers and Sisters who just received the shock of their lives.

Stroud was a crew-chief/door-gunner on a UH1B Huey Gunship in Vietnam and his tours (67-69) were definitely a shock; taking him thirty+ years to recover - "let's not leave our brave soldiers hanging-out there like this; it seems cruel and unjust."

Please share this story with your friends, print it out, send it on to your email list and/or post it on your web page or blog. Whatever funds are raised, they will begin with a non-profit or foundation and some type of program will be offered and run.

Please make out a check to 'WFS' (Warriors Finding Solace - cash, money order, or other) and send it to:

Warriors Finding Solace
810 Haiku Road
Suite 113-508
Haiku, HI 96708
(808) 573-3003

"Let's see America at its best by your generous reply," says Bill Stroud, "our returning stressed-out Combat Veterans, male and female, can sure use some help! I sure hope everyone can get excited about this project and wants to help it happen."

Source: Bill Stroud, Life Member - VVMC, VFW, DAV

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com

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