Following is an excerpt from my book, Reconciliation, A Son’s Story by Steve Sparks
“I owe my success in part to my Dad but not without a high price. I call this “collateral damage” from living in a family culture affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). At that time, men at war and coming home from war were too proud to share their stories and admit that anything in the way of mental illness was on the table for discussion. My Dad was no different than 1000’s of veterans with similar symptoms, especially those who were battle weary and emotionally damaged. The children and wives and others close to these men would have to experiment and learn on how to navigate our way through a terrible circumstance. We did it well, but not without scars that often show. WWII has been in our past for well over a half century, and most of the “Greatest Generation” passed on, but the effects of “PTSD” carry forward just like bad genes. We are still feeling the effects of WWII when PTSD was not studied and treatment was minimal. As a result, we are just beginning to address the realities of PTSD, including diagnosis and treatment, along with complete recovery from this unfortunate mental illness, is now possible. “MEN WERE EXPECTED NOT TO DISPLAY EMOTIONS DURING THAT ERA.”
