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St Michael
September 25th, 2013
I am a retired Police Officer and Military Veteran. I have been involved in a number of shootings and was shot multiple times on one occasion. On each shooting I was fired upon first. As a Police Officer I worked in an area of the city where it was as bad as it gets, yet I did everything I could to improve the quality of life in the community I served. I have seen human tragedy that haunts me to this day. I have also been attacked by just about every means possible. After retiring from the Police department I was doing a part time job for a private company when a man tried to rob me, as soon as I turned around he fired 14 shots at me. I was hit several times and to this day I can't believe I am alive. The company fired me because I managed to get a couple of rounds into him and I violated their weapons policy which I was not aware of. If I didn't, I would be dead. This hurt me more than the robbery. I have also had much tragedy in my own family. So many times I wanted to just go away. I kept suicide in the back of my mind as an option.
I was determined to just keep going no matter what. So far I have not had to use that option. I still suffer but I a working to get to where I can use my experiences to help others who have walked in my shoes. I also understand that there are many different things that can cause PTSD and to that end I would never discount or minimize anyone's suffering (as all too many insensitive people do) no matter what the cause.
Given all that I have been through, my heart goes out to women who have been abused and /or raped (I am not going to say sexually assaulted, it dilutes the tragedy) and those suffering from disease, cancer etc...and abused children or adults who were raped as children.
The one thing we all have in common is that our perception of reality has changed forever. We can't expect those who don't know what we have been through to understand... for most don't know how and some don't want to know that these things happen to people because it scares them.
I like to use what are called 'black holes' in space as an analogy for PTSD. When you are at the point called the event horizon, this is where you can get sucked in if you don't fight or you can use the energy that is pulling you in to propel yourself... to evolve at a higher level as a human being. Becoming more loving and sensitive to those in pain or in need.
In closing, The battle has just begun for us. We have the right to be who we are and we will demand dignity and respect. We will not settle for anything less from anyone.
p.s. THE SUN WILL SHINE AGAIN!
Shawn M.
I am a retired Police Officer and Military Veteran. I have been involved in a number of shootings and was shot multiple times on one occasion. On each shooting I was fired upon first. As a Police Officer I worked in an area of the city where it was as bad as it gets, yet I did everything I could to improve the quality of life in the community I served. I have seen human tragedy that haunts me to this day. I have also been attacked by just about every means possible. After retiring from the Police department I was doing a part time job for a private company when a man tried to rob me, as soon as I turned around he fired 14 shots at me. I was hit several times and to this day I can't believe I am alive. The company fired me because I managed to get a couple of rounds into him and I violated their weapons policy which I was not aware of. If I didn't, I would be dead. This hurt me more than the robbery. I have also had much tragedy in my own family. So many times I wanted to just go away. I kept suicide in the back of my mind as an option.
I was determined to just keep going no matter what. So far I have not had to use that option. I still suffer but I a working to get to where I can use my experiences to help others who have walked in my shoes. I also understand that there are many different things that can cause PTSD and to that end I would never discount or minimize anyone's suffering (as all too many insensitive people do) no matter what the cause.
Given all that I have been through, my heart goes out to women who have been abused and /or raped (I am not going to say sexually assaulted, it dilutes the tragedy) and those suffering from disease, cancer etc...and abused children or adults who were raped as children.
The one thing we all have in common is that our perception of reality has changed forever. We can't expect those who don't know what we have been through to understand... for most don't know how and some don't want to know that these things happen to people because it scares them.
I like to use what are called 'black holes' in space as an analogy for PTSD. When you are at the point called the event horizon, this is where you can get sucked in if you don't fight or you can use the energy that is pulling you in to propel yourself... to evolve at a higher level as a human being. Becoming more loving and sensitive to those in pain or in need.
In closing, The battle has just begun for us. We have the right to be who we are and we will demand dignity and respect. We will not settle for anything less from anyone.
p.s. THE SUN WILL SHINE AGAIN!