We would like to invite all Veterans and their loved ones to a presentation on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The presentation will be on May 4th at 7:00 PM at the Muskego Moose Lodge # 1057. Their address is S86W21693 Janesville Rd. Muskego. The presentation will be made by Jeff Whittle MD, a doctor at the Zablocki VA in Milwaukee. Below is a letter we received from him.
I am Jeff Whittle, MD, a doctor at the Zablocki VA in Milwaukee. I am writing to ask for assistance with an effort to improve the wellbeing of Veterans who are distressed by past trauma.
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impact Veterans and their families. Even though there are talk therapies and medications that have been proven to help, many Veterans don’t get them. There are many reasons for this: the stigma of asking for help, fear that therapy will dig up painful memories, frustration with the healthcare system, or just plain misinformation.
My experience working with the Legion suggests that many Veterans can identify fellow Veterans who need help. I know from research that Veteran peer support can help Veterans with PTSD decide to participate in treatment. However, many Veterans feel unprepared to provide this support. Reclaiming Your Path is trying to change this.
Reclaiming Your Path is a Veteran-led project that is educating Veterans and their loved ones about how to recognize symptoms that may be due to past traumatic experiences and the talk therapies and medications that have been shown to improve such symptoms.
Please plan to attend. This is an area that needs support from everyone. I have talked to Veterans who are in this program, and they all said this is helping them and other Veterans. The program continues to grow and change to the needs of our veterans. Our friends can only get help if all of us help guide them to the help.
Randy Reinke James Brinks
Commander Commander
Muskego American Legion Post 0356 Muskego VFW Post 8171
Sreinke2@wi.rr.com jbrinks@wi.rr.com
414-550-4522 414-554-3765