Have you ever read something, heard something and thought, “I want to know more…”
I know I have…many times. I think it is because I feel like an eternal student, always wanting to know more or wanting to be part of a conversation that is taking place—you know, like the general conversation in a topic or something related to that topic.
Last year, Sam and I, participated in a Know More Conference at John A. Logan College. This conference was about post-traumatic-stress, how to live with it, how to cope with it, and understand it…this was eye-opening. There are times it is difficult to understand what our Veterans face/struggle with, and this conference provided insight and education into PTS (I really don’t like that D–disorder, disability–you get the idea)…
Psychological injuries, like post-traumatic stress, are invisible—we can’t see them, but we know they can cause problems for the body and mind. However, PTS can affect anyone, and sometimes the exposure from an experience can be horrifying or life threatening. Sometimes fight or flight doesn’t appear, and it is freeze and survive that takes over—meaning, everyone copes with this differently. There’s also TBI (traumatic brain injury) and moral injury…those are injuries that are not always visible either.
I’m proud to say that there’s another conference in the works. I am part of a planning committee working hard to put together another learning experience for anyone and everyone who is interested in understanding PTS, our Veterans, what post-traumatic stress is and is not, and how to live and love someone who may be suffering. Our committee wants the public, as well as professionals, colleagues, and family members, to have the tools and resources available to help and understand what our loved ones, Veterans, and those close to us may be experiencing.
Sam and I will be participating in the Veteran and Spouses panel in which questions are asked via a moderator and some of our life experience will be shared with the attendees. I have to say, last year, when we participated I learned so much, and it was so rewarding to sit among other spouses who have had experiences similar to what we have had. I also saw Sam open up more publicly about his trauma, something that was difficult for him to do.
Our committee is working on locating a keynote speaker for a general session in addition to providing break-out sessions that will allow attendees to hear more specific topics in a smaller setting. I’m so excited that this conference will take place again…and when more details have been ironed out, I will share them with you.
I can tell you all that our conference is planned for May 20th at John A. Logan College. We are going to set the time for the conference very soon and work on getting break-out sessions organized and specified for those who are interested in attending. The conference will be open to the general public, Veterans and family members, doctors, therapists, students, people who are interested in learning more about our Veterans and more about that post-traumatic stress.
I hope you will consider joining us. It will be an educational and rewarding day, I promise.
Stay tuned for more details…
We hope you will consider joining us for the Know More Conference. If you have questions, post them in the comments, or send me an email at cahoekstra1@gmail.com