OSISS

I spent the afternoon at a Family Support Group (FSG) meeting regarding PTSD. The intention of the meeting was to make the families of the soldiers soon returning aware of some of the possible causes, signs, and symptoms of PTSD and other OSIs (Operational Stress Injuries) and some of the places that they can go for help if they suspect their loved one is suffering an OSI.

OSISS is a peer support organization primarily staffed by volunteers, with a paid coordinator who generally looks after a large region. The volunteer who came and spoke to us today is the wife of a combat veteran who came home from Bosnia-Croatia with PTSD. Kinda like the Wolf came home from Bosnia-Croatia with PTSD. We bonded pretty darn quickly.

The presentation was interesting. Becasue of where I live, the majority of the others in the support group are parents of reserve soldiers, with a coupld of girlfriends, but all the other loved ones are on their first tour. When we were doing introductions and I mentioned Sebastian was on his 4th tour of Afghanistan, the looks I got were mostly horror. Kinda like people look at a car accident. Awkward. I was also the only other one in the room, beside the speaker, who had "lived" PTSD.

The presentation was awesome. As the speaker kept explaining to us what her role was, how OSSIS works, etc, I was feeling drawn in ... like this is somewhere I can help, something I could do.

After the presentation, the speaker came and talked to me about an OSI/PTSD family support group. OSISS is mandated to facilitate these groups, but there has never been one in our area. The speaker and I have decided to start a small group, the 2 of us, and see if we can attract more members.

I will start with this, and then see if I still feel called to do more, and can find the time in my schedule, or make the time, to do more. I have been feeling less than completely satisfied with my career and my volunteer commitments lately, and I am wondering if this is what I have been waiting for.