SCOTT'S STORY PT 1
“I grew up in a military family. My grandfather rarely spoke about war. My dad was the same way. He did two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. But they didn’t give me any warnings. There was no like, ‘Hey, this experience could really fuck you up.’ My grandfather and my dad let me know that it was okay to internalize it. But to the detriment of my family.
One time after I was born, there was a bad thunderstorm. There was a really big crack of thunder, and my mom bolted up out of bed. She saw that my dad was gone. My crib was right next to the bed, and it was empty. My mom freaked out, got up, and woke up my grandparents who were living with us.
They all searched the entire house and couldn't find me or my dad. Then my grandfather said, ‘Look under the bed.’ My mom looked under the bed, and there was my dad with me, curled up in the fetal position. He couldn't move. He was scared to death, and he was protecting me.
There were other instances, too. And it was too much for my mom. My parents ended up divorcing because my father's PTSD.
I remember my dad said to me: ‘I want you to know something very crystal clear right now. This wasn't your mom's fault. And it wasn't your fault. It was my fault. I left a husband, and I came home a killer.’”
COPING : A MENTAL HEALTH STORYTELLING SERIES
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