Your warrior needs you, and you need him or her! Why? Because in spite of what you may have been experiencing, your warrior simply loves you. And your warrior does not enjoy the actions or words he/she sometimes displays. If your warrior is a spouse or family member who may be experiencing PTSD and related symptoms, it is so very important for you to learn about what he/she is experiencing and how to deal with it. The Birdwell Foundation volunteers and counselors can help not only those suffering from PTSD, but also those with PTSD symptoms brought on by Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), both male and female sufferers of Military Sexual Trauma (MST), and their families.
Some of our staff know first-hand what it is like to feel hopeless because of PTSD/TBI and MST. Some are family members who know their warrior is not the person they used to be. And, quite possibly, neither are they themselves. Think about these challenges:
Having to explain why there is a hole in the wall;
Explaining why you can’t attend a family function or gathering;
How it feels when your warrior talks to you, yells or perhaps even abuses you, when you just want to pack up the kids and walk away from the marriage or relationship.
It feels like a large lump in the pit of your stomach. You feel alone, as though you will be judged by family and friends if you tell them all that you are going through with your warrior. So you keep it all inside and cry when no one else is around. Why would you keep all of that bottled up inside of you when you have us? Not just anyone, but men and women who have practical experience, who can relate, who can help. Men and women who have experienced similar situations, even if not identical, to those you are currently going through. A safe, confidential and understanding ear.
Once you understand and learn about the effects of PTSD/TBI and MST, you will learn to love your warrior even more. You will learn patience, humility, how to care for yourself and your warrior, and effective communication that will be beneficial and healthy for both you and the warrior. There is so much to understand and learn about our warriors who fought for our country as well as those who serve our communities, all who suffer with PTSD/TBI and MST. It is so important for you to attend support groups, counseling, and educational seminars we offer. If we are not yet in your area, do not allow this to stop you from seeking assistance. Send us an email to us through our Contact page or subscribe to our email list to receive updates and information about groups opening in your area, our network of resources, educational seminars and telephone support.
God wants families and marriages to be joyful, healthy and flourishing! He wants our testimonies to be of help to others. It is vital for us to overcome the adversities, trials and tribulations facing us. To experience the joy of renewal and restored relationships. But… it won’t happen when we feel as though we are too ashamed to reach out for help. Be the change your warrior needs, and he/she in turn will be the change you need. Rediscover your joy and the depth of your love. There is nothing more powerful than a family who has faced many things that should have destroyed them, but by God’s design they are now the light and hope for many others.
Just as Christ would have us to do, we are to bear one another’s burdens, as it fulfills the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). We are compassionate about the unity of marriages and families, and we are here to help!
