Shownotes Transcript
In this weeks extended episode we meet Dave Morgan, a Vietnam veteran who share's the first part of his epic story and 50 year battle with Post Traumatic StressA Sunshine Coast boy from Caloundra through and through Dave's military journey started at school and joining as an army reservist. At 20 Dave was drafted for service in Vietnam but it was nothing like he'd thought it'd be once he arrived in country. In a baptism of fire Dave witnessed the first of many traumatic events with a machine gun exploding in his friends face leaving him covered in shrapnel and burns. Dave recalls his tour of duty and experiences in detail...giving the listener a glimpse of daily life of a signaller patrolman in the jungles of Vietnam. During those times Dave recalls there wasn't much talk about what the men experienced and there was an engrained culture of alcoholism to deal with the trauma in their downtime. The seed of his 50 year battle had been planted.Upon returning home what should have been a hero's welcome was returned with a public hatred that changed Dave's love for the army and perception on life into one of anger, blame, shame and alcoholism. It all became too much for Dave and he just wanted the pain to go away, deciding he'd go for a last hurrah by booking a one way ticket to Montreal with a plan of suiciding by freezing to death, in the cold, alone and away from home.Through serveral acts of kindness along the way Dave was given a decision point, to suicide or deal with life...he chose life but at a large cost of his continued battle with PTSD, self induced isolation, withdrawal from family and loved ones.In part 2 we conclude Daves story with his journey to continued recovery, falling off the wagon and getting back up. He's also written authored two books recounting his story.Contact - Dave MorganLocation - Caloundra, Sunshine Coast QLDBook 1 - Ice Journey 2010 )Book 2 - My Vietnam war - Scarred Forever 2014)Help Lines Open Arms (VVCS)) | Lifeline) | RedSix app)"RESPECT, NO POLITICS, WE'RE VOLUNTEERS"Disclaimer: The accounts and stories are "Real lived experiences" of our guests some of the content may trigger Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms in some of our audience. Feedback regarding other organisations, courses and initiatives remains largely unsensored. Whether its good or bad they remain the OPINION of our guests and their experiences it is important in building an accurate statistic on what really happens. During the course of our conversations sometimes sensitive information may be accidentally mentioned, as such, Invisible Injuries respects the law and sensors any information that may breach Operational Security OPSEC
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