Interview with Veteran soldier, Jason Grawbarger-Nov. 20, 2023

November 20, 2023-Podcast with Veteran soldier, Jason Grawbarger who was with The Department of National Defence in the Canadian Armed Forces.  As a young man from Capreol, Ontario,  Jason Grawbarger enlisted in the Armed Forces in 1988.  He trained at various military bases in Canada and then worked as a Gunner for many years in Germany.  During his military career, he changed his occupation towards mechanical work but there was still danger as times he would have to avoid dangerous landmines in open fields to retrieve a broken down military vehicle.  Besides spending his working years in Germany, he also served in Bosnia, Yugoslavia and then various other Canadian Forces Bases in various provinces in Canada.  Jason medically retired from the army in 2010. We talked about his early years, his military career and his life afterwards.  He misses his career but still keeps in touch with his buddies.  He recommends for others to enlist even though, there are challenges during a military career and later on in retirement but the service you give for our country is worth it.  Thanks so much, Jason for sharing your story and for your service for our country in Canada.  

PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – develops in some people who have experienced traumatic dangerous or frightening stressful event(s).  Four types of PTSD:  Acute, Chronic, Delayed Onset and Complex.  Signs of PTSD are a reliving of what happened with vivid flashbacks where a person feels like the trauma is happening right now; other signs can be intrusive thoughts or images, nightmares or recurring memories, intense distress at real or symbolic reminders of the trauma.  Triggers can come from a sound, noise, sudden action; a scene from a day to day event could cause a physical sensation such as pain, heart palpitations, sweating, anxiety or panic symptoms, nausea or trembling which can be debilitating.  Some people self-medicate to cope with alcohol or drugs which can lead to disastrous results.  There is help for persons suffering with PTSD. 

 If you or if you know of someone who suffers with PTSD, please seek help and call a crisis centre or your doctor.  If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or thinking about suicide, please call 9-1-1.   For Canadian military personnel, for veterans and family – contact the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families which is a centre of excellence on mental health.  For free and confidential mental health support or to heal from substance use, you can receive support which is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from Wellness Together Canada.  If you reside in other countries, please contact your closest medical centre or you can receive support from a local crisis centre.  You are not alone.  We value you.  Please Seek help.