A wealth of information about PTSD, please read about Michael Orban

I have a new connection for you to consider. I have spoken with Mr. Orban and understand his philosophy and approach to helping Veterans. Fundamentally, as a combat infantryman of the Vietnam era, he has the ability to speak our language. I am not promoting his individual work as I have yet to read it or listen to a complete radio broadcast. I'm simply asking that as a Veteran or family member of a Vet, you leverage all the resources available. The links alone from Mr. Orban's home page will enable you to learn much more than you've ever known about combat-induced PTSD.

PTSD has been debilitating for me and I currently have no end in sight. What is important to note here though is that I feel less alone about my suffering. There is something to say for a shared suffering, a shared sacrifice. Recently, Mr. Orban's web radio broadcast focused on the high rate of suicide among Veterans and especially Combat Vets. It is simply worth looking at.

After speaking with him, I immediately sensed brotherhood and comradery. This is one of the elements that has been missing in my life since I came home from Iraq. Please take the time to do the research. Contact me individually if there is any way I can help. Thank you and God Bless our troops!
Sam

Home page for more information about Michael Orban

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

I have recently been accepted for membership with IAVA. I applied based on feedback from a Vietnam era Veteran I am collaborating with. I highly recommend any Combat Veteran consider researching and joining this organization.

Link to the IAVA web site

IAVA Mission and HistoryOur Mission: IAVA’s mission is to improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families.

The Need: The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are in their seventh and eighth years respectively. Nearly two million American troops have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, and thousands have been deployed multiple times.

IAVA addresses critical issues facing new veterans and their families, including mental health injuries, a stretched VA system, inadequate health care for female veterans, and GI Bill educational benefits.

IAVA also provides valuable resources and empowers veterans to connect with one another, fostering a strong and lasting community.

History: IAVA was founded in 2004 by current Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff and his fellow Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. After returning home from their tours, these veterans came together after quickly becoming concerned with the way the war in Iraq was being portrayed in the media and the overall plight of newly returned veterans. There were many policy experts and talking heads on TV, but very few people who had actually served on the ground in Iraq or Afghanistan. There was no one talking about what our wounded friends needed and the issues they faced. The creation of IAVA allowed thousands of veterans to join the national dialogue, and to explain what was really happening on the ground overseas and back home in the US.

How much can the Human Brain take

Hello again to my Veteran friends and to all of our families & friends who support caring for our troops. I am continuing my research on Traumatic Brain Injuries and their downstream effects. An article in today's Philadelphia proposes to link multiple head trauma, however slight, that may have contributed to a University of Pennsylvania college football players suicide. "Owen Thomas' condition could be linked to head trauma, researchers said."
UPENN Football player had brain disease

Many of our Veterans experienced concussions or have experienced multiple IED or related detonation exposure while in the combat zone. It may be insightful for you to read this article and consider the relationship between the multiple head trauma some of our Veterans experienced and their ability to "deal" with life back home. I have experienced multiple headaches and times when I feel like a computer that is 'locked-up'. I think my TBI has made it harder for me to mitigate my PTSD symptoms and the frequency of my nightmares.
I want to understand the relationships between these injuries and the high rates of suicide in our Veteran population. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) have been associated with exasperating the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, often making PTSD linger on for what seems like an indefinite period of time after combat.
If any of you can find related stories demonstrating the relationship between multiple head injuries and the signature injuries of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, please forward them to me. Thank you.
God Bless our Troops wherever they serve and God Bless America!

Replay - January 25, 2010 6ABC News Video Clip and our Iraqi Freedom III Combat Video

I thought it would be great to post these two videos again. We've made so much progress in the last few months bringing the writing and editing team together. The last hurdle is to secure a publishing deal and get this 1st edition printed!

6ABC News Video from January 25, 2010
Veterans History Project the Healing Power of Writing

UPENN Center for Public Health seminar on January 25, 2010. 1LT Sam Console provided an interview to 6-ABC evening news about his recent work on a manuscript about his combat experience in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. Writing about combat experiences had helped mitigate the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Nightmares. The intent of the book when published is to help service men, women and their families deal with deployment stress and the various combat related health problems that are common to the two ongoing wars.

Charlie Company, 103rd Engineers in Iraq: Video compilation from September of 2005
Charlie Company 103rd Engineers in Bayji Iraq

This video was compiled from the videos and pictures I took along with those my men shared with me. It is dedicated to a great Soldier and friend of mine, Sergeant Dale Hardiman who was tragically killed while home on leave, September 10, 2005. Rest in Peace Dale! God Bless the Engineers.
ESSAYONS

After Shock - Humanities Perspectives on Trauma, November 11 - 13

What a great honor! I have been invited to speak on a panel with two trusted friends at the annual conference of the Maine Humanities Council in Washington, D.C. The is a wonderful opportunity for me to continue Dr. Gala True's discussion thread "Wounded Warriors and the Healing Power of Stories". I will also have an opportunity to take part in a commentary panel after a presentation of Theater of War. Please visit the conference web site and consider donating to this worthy cause. Again, this is a great honor for myself and my family and a tribute to Veterans of all wars. I hope to see you there!

http://www.mainehumanities.org/programs/litandmed/aftershock-2010.html

"Join us to explore ways in which the humanities—including literature, theater and writing—can support the personal and professional development of health care professionals who work with war veterans and others who have experienced trauma. Discover literature’s ability to provide new insights into trauma's effects on your patients—and to sustain you as you care for them. Learn about a range of innovative programs, best practices, and how to implement a humanities-based program in your own facility."

Another good friend is on his way to Afghanistan

I would like to post this message in honor of my former battalion commander, Colonel James P Wong as he is about to depart for a tour in Afghanistan. He hired me as a Platoon Leader with Alpha Company, the 103rd Engineers, 28th ID of PA back in 2002. Thank you Sir for the job of a lifetime! Godspeed and I will pray for your safe return.

Anyone wishing to get in touch with COL Wong, I have his contact information and email. I will forward your well wishes to him, no problem. Anyone wishing to post deployment news or other information in support of our troops in harms way, please click here to email me: Email Sam.

A clip from his email today, "ALL, This is my last day assigned to the Joint Staff and will be on leave for a few weeks before reporting to CRC at FT Benning, GA."

ESSAYONS,
Sam Console
1LT, EN (Inactive, DAV)

The Hidden Home Front, The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 6th

I am honored to share a link to a wonderful article and story written by Carolyn Davis of The Philadelphia Inquirer. She has spotlighted the needs of Veterans' families as well as the harsh realities of long combat tours. I'm also honored my family had the opportunity to be part of this story. My wife, children, mother and many other family members worried about me for over a year. They suffered horribly most days without any information on my location or condition. I hid my wounds from my children in a failed effort to protect them. Please read this article and share it with your friends. Thank you Carolyn for capturing our experience. To my wife Dawn, and my children Mark and Amanda, God Bless you for tolerating and surviving our Iraq experience.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20100706_Wounds_of_a_modern_war_-_amputations__brain_trauma_-_harm_troops__families_too.html?viewAll=y