Today we’re talking about healing the wounds of war and breaking free from the suffering of post-traumatic stress.

 

For many people, when they hear the term “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,” or “PTSD,” their minds tend to gravitate toward the image of traumatized soldiers returning home from war after witnessing their comrades being seriously injured and killed. But, PTSD not only impacts the lives of our brave veterans; it can also affect any individual that has witnessed or experienced a traumatic event at some point in their life.

A traumatic event can range from a serious car accident or painful breakup to the terrors of a natural disaster or emotionally devastating childhood trauma. The pain from our past can extend beyond the initial moment or time period of that trauma and follow us around throughout the course of our lives, potentially damaging our relationships and disrupting all of our attempts at living a joyful life.

Unfortunately, many people that suffer from PTSD remain silent about their struggle, which can lead to debilitating anxiety, depression, insomnia, addiction, anger, shame, and self-isolation. While healing the pain and traumas of our past can be extremely difficult, as this requires courage and vulnerability to ask for help, it is possible.

Today I’m joined by my Dad and World War II Veteran, Jack Gutman, who at the age of 18 participated in the Normandy Invasion. He shares his painful recollection of what it was like to prepare, participate, and survive one of the most grueling days in human history, discusses his journey of healing the wounds of war after a 66 year-long struggle with PTSD, and also shares his experience with post-traumatic stress after miraculously surviving a recent stroke.

 

We Discuss:

  • The epidemic of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicide in veterans
  • How the events of D-Day and the Battle of Okinawa changed Jack Gutman’s life forever
  • Reducing the stigma of mental health care in veterans and others experiencing PTSD
  • How PTSD can affect anyone who’s experienced a significant traumatic event
  • Why it’s important to ask for help and not remain silent when dealing with PTSD

 

“If you’re going through any kind of trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder, get help. Believe me, there is hope. I never believed I would have a new life, and I do. I’ve got a wonderful family and wife, all because I decided to make that decision.”  –  Jack Gutman

 

About Jack:
Jack Gutman Image - One Veteran's Journey To Heal the Wounds of War

Born in San Francisco in 1925, Jack Gutman grew up in a tough neighborhood of New York City where survival meant belonging to a gang. His gang was the Panthers.

At 17 ½ years old, wanting so desperately to serve his country, Jack convinced his father to sign for him and he enlisted in the Navy.

After training for months as a Medical Corpsman, his first active-duty took him to England to prepare a hospital for the aftermath of the invasion of Europe.

On D Day he landed between Utah and Omaha Beaches in the invasion of Normandy, having the difficult task of caring for those killed and wounded during the attack.

After dealing with undiagnosed PTSD for 66 years, he finally got counseling from the VA and today leads a happy, healthy life.

Today he is one of the last living World War ll Veterans who are healthy, lucid, and able to share with us the realities of D Day,

He is also an active comedian, public speaker, and author who loves speaking to students and touching lives with his story.

Recently he was video interviewed by the Smithsonian World War ll Museum in New Orleans and this interview is now part of the museum’s archives. He has appeared on Martha MacCallum’s Fox News show, The Story, on Ben Shapiro, in countless video interviews, and of course, on his daughter, Paula’s, radio show and Podcast, Change It Up Radio.

 

“There are so many people suffering from PTSD out there, and there is help. There is hope, but you have to take action.”  –  Jack Gutman

 

Check out the video below to watch our interview:

 

Resources Mentioned:

 

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