Veteran's Voices - The Art Of Healing - Art Exhibition

I heard a CBC story...

#Veterans' Voices exhibition in #Pembroke showcases art made by military veterans as part of their #PTSD therapy. https://t.co/Du9KlYmTuK pic.twitter.com/matdM75uW8

— CBCOttawaMorning (@OttawaMorning) October 26, 2018

The art show has been extended until Nov. 10th.

I volunteered with an art therapist in Muskoka, I wrote about it here: Expressive Arts in Muskoka, Elke Schultz works with young children who have bereavement issues.

We used art therapy when working with day hospice clients.

I know the value in art therapy. Off we went... it was a helluva drive in the rain.
Purvis Gallery and Framing Ltd., 
86 Pembroke Street W, Pembroke, Ontario K8A5M6 

This was a powerful, and moving experience for the both of us. It was made all the more so, as the gallery had asked one of the veterans, one of the artists, to talk to us about the show. He is one of the people who curated it, and he has a wonderful knowledge of the pieces, the theories behind the various styles, and methods of the art therapist. The art experiences by the 12 artists represent work that is experimental, directed, and both conceptual and concrete. The art is directed by the soldier, who listens to their inner drive to express that which is previously unexpressed, but requires to be let go. What a wonderful man. Thank you, sir, for your service.

Many retired soldiers cannot express that which is inexpressible. Herein lies the PTSD. Our host is articulate, sensitive, and gave so much to so many. He continues to do so. It was an honour to meet him, and speak with him. One focuses on that which remains to do done, those one could not help, yet we must look back and remember those for whom we made a difference.

The Philtrum Portrait
Clients are asked to fold a large sheet of paper to create flaps. The light side represents favourite things and places. The dark side: the painful. On the inside, the client integrates the light and the dark. This technique was designed by Wanda Sawicki, and originally intended for those managing cancer.




This piece was incredible. The artist carved the pillow out of Ohio Sandstone, Stephane explained it! The rock he found on his property, and it was sanded and smoothed. I can imagine the therapeutic value in the sanding and preparing of the piece.

The rock pillow takes all the bad dreams, and abandons them there to give the sleeper peace. I often have bad dreams, nightmares about not being able to teach, losing my way to school. I know many of my retired teacher peers have the same issues.

Isn't this brilliant????

As you look at the art, you can see how the pieces reflect the trauma a soldier experiences. There are many types of therapy, I managed to complete 8 of ten courses for my M.A. in Counselling Therapy. I could not finish for various reasons, partly my depression following my move to Muskoka, the death of my parents, giving up my career, my home, my previous life.

I know the value in counselling, in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and the various strategies, but this therapy, expressive art therapy, our retired soldier told us, has proven invaluable to him and his peers.

Traumatic events, and intrusive thoughts and dreams.

For this piece, the artist did not know what he would create, but it came from imagination, freedom and creativity. And a place of safety, I might add. It is so difficult to live in the present, being aware of the influence and the shape of past events, but to let go of the pain and anger. This is a common human experience.


You can see the symbolism in the artwork.

PTSD; STIGMA; LONELINESS

On the left, "IF YOU CAN READ THIS YOUR STILL IN AFGHANISTAN;
Bad grammar aside, this will always remind me of those we lost in Afghanistan."

The masks were really powerful. Many of our soldiers are unable to express their PTSD, trauma they encountered, and life-changing experiences in the course of their tours.


Some pieces are meant to represent a time of peace, joy, prior to the trauma of these work experiences.

"Memories which are grounding and safe"

The artist has collected driftwood, and created several amazingly beautiful pieces. Driftwood, in and of itself, is symbolic.


This piece spoke to me.
I can see this piece reflects a life. You live, learn, engage in your life's work, and rise to a pinnacle. In my case, I burned out caring for my dad and quit early. I have a motivation to create something to represent my journey, as well. Such an inspiring soldier. I would buy these!



The artist writes, "as a result of my injuries, my creativity was blocked." You can see how the water is moving forward, the curtain at the back represents the veil of our minds. Water cleanses.

"At the bottom of the falls is the calmer section of the water with many hues of blue and a hint of the rocks underneath. This represents the peace, joy and quietness of reconnecting with the life we hope to find again."

This piece is called 'Bonded Surveillance', the artist carved this out of Indiana Limestone. Some members of the military are in specialties where they have to respect and hold military secrets. They see a lot that they are not able to talk about. We know so much more about recovering from PTSD, and therapists help us draw out our experiences to better process them and come to terms with them.
Isn't this brilliant?!


Sometimes, there are no words. For some, PTSD is complicated by sexual assault, bullying or harassment.


Kintsugi

This is an ancient Japanese method whereby the artist breaks a piece of pottery. You can see the beauty in the whole, and the beauty that remains in that which has been damaged, but retains its essence, and becomes oven more beautiful. The hole remains, but can be replaced with colour and design.



There were many soapstone carvings, as well as pottery. I recall doing a lot of pottery with our kids. It is so therapeutic. I was incredibly moved by it all.

"Serenity is peace within the storm"

Art therapy

The art therapist is Marilyn Saffery, she has a degree in fine arts, but has gone back to school to learn and practice art therapy since 2004. There is a Canadian Art Therapy organisation, if you are looking for a therapist.

"It is often difficult to adequately express experiences and related feelings in words. This is when art offers so much potential for healing. Art has a powerful therapeutic effect. It can inspire, guide, comfort, expand, reawaken and make meaning within confusion and pain."

Book Review: The Price They Paid: Enduring Wounds of War

Michael Putzel

Sent this book for review, I've put it off a bit. The Vietnam War was a difficult one on all counts. One of my gifted students wrote an amazing essay about it in 2005. Her family fled Vietnam to escape the war and seek refuge in Canada.

This book presents the human stories of a specific crew, C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, and primarily the late Jim Newman, who was 'known among his men for his coolness under fire, his steady voice, and deliberate action.'

It wasn't until the Vietnam War that PTSD was recognized not just as 'shell shock', but as the debilitating disease it proves to be for the soldiers, men and women, families, and for all of society.

"The irony of PTSD is that its symptoms are not an accident of war or even an unintended byproduct. They are the skills, often drummed into troops by military training, that are critical to success and survival in combat. It is no wonder that hypervigilance, hair-trigger reactions to potentially threatening movements, lack of sleep, sudden increase in heart rate and breathing, impatience, high anxiety, and closing down emotional responses are keys to survival under fire." -writes Putzel.

This book is about the human consequences of sending troops into battle, as well as their living and working conditions. It's about the impact on the American helicopter pilots and you can read more at the Condors Alumni Association stories page. There are many artifacts on this tribute page, including those supplied by Jim Newman.

We visited Washington in 2008. The memorial is a difficult place to visit.

The Price They Paid: Enduring Wounds of War is the stunning and dramatic true story of a legendary helicopter commander in Vietnam and the flight crews that followed him into the most intensive helicopter warfare ever—and how that brutal experience has changed their lives in the forty years since the war ended.

Michael Putzel is a distinguished American journalist who covered the war in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos for two-and-a-half years as a war correspondent for The Associated Press. 

In recent news...

CBC.ca

After developing post-traumatic stress disorder during his second deployment in Afghanistan in 2007, Canadian army veteran Fabian Henry tried numerous anti-depressants to quell his suicidal thoughts and violent rages. For three years, he was on as many as nine pills a day. But only one drug worked for him: marijuana.

Also, they are doing research
into using marijuana for PTSD.

How many Canadians dead and wounded in wars across the years?

The National War Memorial
drew a big crowd.

Much has been written on honouring those who have served. I believe that the best way to honour those who gave their lives, is to show respect for those who return from combat, wounded in mind, body and spirit.

The government, rather than keeping these people under their wings, throw them out into society, now with lump-sum payments.  We know what happens to lottery winners, they spend it.

In 2006 the government changed the rules upon injury and/or discharge. In the old days, a vet who, for example, lost a limb could receive $4000 per month in pension. Now, the Disability Award is a tax-free payment of up to $298, 588 based on the extent of their wounds.

The House of Commons defence committee guess that of the 27,000 troops deployed to Afghanistan that about 3600 could have mental health issues upon their return. They thought about 1100 would have PTSD.

Since PTSD is one of the least reported issues veterans face, I wonder how they would know the numbers. With the rash of suicides by veterans (about a dozen by March, 2014), suicide by cop, and those with PTSD, the cover-ups by the military, those who advocate think these numbers are low. A CTV journalist says it is a mystery.

Angry veterans launch ‘Anybody But Conservative’ (ABC) campaign to defeat Tories in upcoming election

They are upset and fighting back, and rightly so. If you cannot demonstrate you are wounded, especially with PTSD, where do you turn? They may not be in any position to self-advocate and they turn to self-medication, anything to relieve the pain. They may have sleep deprivation, physical pain, spiritual, mental and relationship issues, divorce and suicidal ideations are common. They may not be able to hold down a job or have any means of support.

PTSD & OSI SUPPORT AND AWARENESS

• Soldiers do not feel they have a problem or are afraid to come forward for fear they will be forced out of the military
• A culture of ignorance in society still surrounds the mental health issue of PTSD & Occupational Stress Injury (OSI)
• In a Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Study, out of a group of 3,154 regular force veterans, 90% reported at least one physical health condition diagnosed due to their service and half reported mental health issues 

• Difficult adjustment to civilian life was experienced by 25% of Veterans. (Health and Well-being of Canadian Armed Forces Veterans: Findings from the 2013 Life After Service Survey )

• 6% of this Regular Force group reported having thoughts of suicide

What needs to be done to help injured veterans? Here is one soldier’s perspective  Citizen Article

Wounded Warrior Park

Wounded Warriors Canada is a non-profit organization that helps Canadian Armed Forces members – be they regular force
 or reservists – who have been wounded or injured in their service to Canada. Currently, our primary focus is on mental health and, particularly, the staggering impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Overall, however, our mandate is to help any Veteran in need as they transition to civilian life.

Boer war (1899 -1902): 244 killed
Peacekeepers: 121 killed
Afghanistan:  158 killed

Here is some information students gathered from the Canadian Legion's publications.

World War I

Canadians Served	Died	Wounded	P.O.W. (Prisoner of War)
328,736 *including 4,518 women	66,655	138,166	2,818

World War II

Canadians Served	Died	Wounded	POW (Prisoner of War)
1,031,902 men *including 49,963 women	44,927 *including 73 women	53,145 *including 19 women	8,271

 Korean War

Canadians Served	Died	Wounded	POW (Prisoner of War)
26791	516	1,558	33

Gulf War

Canadians Served	Died	Wounded	POW (Prisoner of War)
4074 * including 237 women	0	0	0

~Table by Andrew ~information from: Speaker's Guide and Fact Book: Royal Canadian Legion

Book Review: VALOR: Unsung Heroes from Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Home Front

I had a rainy day and I tucked into this book after my chores were done. I've read Fifteen Days, by Christie Blatchford. She was embedded with our Canadian Military. It was a pretty intense read. What I found, though, is that as an embedded journalist, she loses much perspective. In fact, many journalists are trying to write more of a novel than a report, and they present a very one-sided point of view.
There are books from parents: A Mother's Road to Kandahar, whose son was deployed.

Learn more

VALOR: Unsung Heroes from Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Home Front

This is a new book, published just recently (July 1st) and I was sent an uncorrected proof for review. Written by Mark Lee Greenblatt, a lawyer in Washington, D.C., I was quite curious about the way he would treat these subjects. I was hopeful that he would have done his homework, and it appears so.

The issues with 'unsung heroes' is first finding them, and secondly, corroborating their stories, thirdly writing a good tale.
Greenblat has done all three.

These guys seem humble, but fierce, and well-trained, and all seemed awfully good guys. I was wondering how unbiased the book would be, but he seemed to genuinely admire these men, and also talked to their buddies who confirmed their stories.

What I find sad, now that we know more about such issues as PTSD and the impact of war on a soldier, is that two of the nine did not live to see the publication of the book. Good soldiers, all, this is a fine testament to the men with principles, ethics, and humanity.
For those who have never been to war, it is a frightening read, Goldblat writes well about these nine men and the situations which faced them.

Greenblatt writes of their influences, the reasons they became soldiers, and I was fascinated, despite being a dove. I truthfully cannot understand how fighting in Afghanistan means fighting for the US, and I'm glad they've brought both US and Canadian troops home. As one soldier says, being in the navy or fighting from the air may be old-style war, and boots on the ground are terribly dangerous with IEDs and terrorists intent on killing both foreigner, citizens and themselves.

I fervently hope that we can prevent terrorism with technology, rather than risking our young men and women's lives. It is a good job, good training for young people to join this type of group where looking out for one another is as important as looking out for oneself. Thankfully, we've learned more about PTSD since the Vietnam War, unfortunately, both of our countries do little to treat the condition and support our returning wounded soldiers.

An excellent read, one that kept me intrigued, even while I mourned lives lost.

Learn more about these heroes

“Hero” has become a term that is too easily cast about in our society. But when it comes to the courageous group of Americans who choose to serve and defend our nation, it is a term for which they are all worthy. There are, however, a group among them whom have taken “hero” to a new level. In VALOR, Mark Lee Greenblatt tells the thrilling stories of nine brave Americans who risked their lives to accomplish a mission or to save the lives of others.

Now Available

Amazon | Barnes & Noble  | IndieBound | Books-A-Million  | Taylor Trade Publishing

Colin Fitzgerald, Afghan war veteran, given a rock to squeeze for his PTSD

WWW.CBC.CA

A decorated Afghanistan war veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder says the only help he got from military counsellors was he was given a rock to squeeze when he wasn't feeling well.

PTSD affects at least 24% of emergency services crews in Canada

Published on 24 Feb 2014

 A group of PTSD survivors agreed to share their stories with us to help raise awareness and promote our upcoming cross-Canada PTSD-awareness tour. We showed this video for the first time at our media launch on February 20th, 2014 and two of the video's participants, Jon Carson and Annette Hunter were featured on City TV.

 ABOUT THE TOUR: 

Beginning on May 1, 2014, The Tema Conter Memorial Trust will begin a two-month cross-Canada PTSD awareness tour, named The 2014 Heroes Are Human Tour. With the help of local correctional, emergency services, and military organizations, TEMA will host a two-hour community-based educational event in 48 towns and cities across the country. Speakers will discuss their personal experiences in dealing with operational stress injuries, and various celebrities will be in attendance (in select cities only). These events will be open to anyone who is interested in learning more about operational stress injuries, and will be free of charge. Frontline correctional, emergency services, and military personnel are welcome. We also encourage family members and friends, mental health professionals, nurses, physicians, and human resources professionals to attend.

Please visit their 2014 Heroes Tourwebsite for more information.

Book Review: Through the Glass

What an amazing saga. I read this book over two days, I couldn't put it down.

It is an autobiography by Shannon Moroney and her victimization over the years between her marriage, and her ex-husband's arrest and conviction of sexual abuse. He was arrested a month into their marriage, while she was away. There are lessons here. Resilience, reaching out to others, and the barriers in the system.

I could empathise with some of her journey. The emotional stress of our life's journey can result in mental illness. Mine did. Moroney's principal was afraid of the bad PR, more than how this boss felt about her as a teacher. Mine just bullied me while I was dealing with my caregiving issues! I ended up in a depression. Moroney had PTSD symptoms.

One of the lessons of this autobiography is how crime affects not just the perpetrator and direct victim(s), but also the family and extended family who also become victims. Many assumed she was aware of her husband's proclivities. But she was not. Many can empathise with small town life, the gossip and judgments. Everyone knows your business!

This is a horrible saga of cracks in the system, which Moroney aptly illustrates as she works with the legal experts, and the system itself. We know The System is made up of individuals, who may simply do their jobs, to the letter.

I asked Ms. Moroney for an interview a month ago, but she told me she did not have time for me. This week she is currently on holiday, with 9 month-old twins. You can see photos on her Facebook page.
She is a busy woman and her book has gotten a lot of press.

1. She's been interviewed for The Next Chapter, on CBC radio with Shelagh Rogers.
2. She's taped an interview for a radio program in Dublin.
3. She is giving a public talk at Ryerson (my alma mater), for the criminology department on March 27th.
4. Dexember 31st, CBC re-broadcast her interview on The Current, where I first heard her speak about her journey.
5. She's presented at the 2012 Kingston WritersFest.

Click the icon for more book review blogs by Barrie Summy, and many other writers.
Barrie is a famous children's author with a fabulous web presence!

The memoir, Through the Glass, is published in Canada by Doubleday Canada (October 2011) and in the USA, UK and throughout the Commonwealth by Simon & Schuster (October 2012). In the UK, the title is The Stranger Inside.

Another death in Afghanistan

Canadian soldier found dead in Afghanistan

Bombardier Karl Manning became the 156th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan and the second to be killed in 2011.

He died in a non-combat incident. 

I hope the military will be forthcoming for the family. Cover-ups help no one. While 'blame' solves nothing, this type of thing must be learned from to prevent or help others.

This case (Grieving mother -  below) is as tragic. We know so much more about PTSD, having learned it during Vietnam, and understanding that it applies to many in many situations: rape, accidents, incidents, emotional trauma may last a long time. 

Grieving mother's public pleas over death of soldier son win ...

29 Oct 2010 ... Langridge, 28, served in Afghanistan and suffered from post traumatic stress disorder. ... And she outlined a string of mistakes that added to the family's ... stinging of all, withholding his suicide note for 14 months.

WW II

My aunt and father

WW II soldiers - from my late mother's album

PTSD and Older Veterans | Psych Central

12 Dec 2006 ... PTSD and Older Veterans. By National Center for PTSD ... the impact of war trauma for veterans of the Vietnam war and the Persian Gulf war, ... For most World War II veterans, those memories still can be upsetting.

Evolution of Shell Shock to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

What was so unusual was the large numbers of veterans being affected after Vietnam. The pattern of neuropsychiatric disorder for combatants of World War II.

Critical Incident Stress Intervention[PDF](Toronto Police)

Critical incident stress management (CISM) 

The critical incident: concepts and interventions comprises a range of crisis intervention services that usually include pre-crisis training, individual crisis counseling, group debriefing, and postincident referral for primary and secondary victims. CISM is utilized to address the aftermath of violent acts, and has evolved from earlier crisis intervention and group psychological debriefing procedures. These approaches have been used throughout the world, and CISM is emerging as a standard of care.

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Services - Employee ...

31 Aug 2007 ... Description of the services offered by the Employee Assistance Services (Health Canada) through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)