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I tend to agree with you, Tom. I've had active PTSD for five years, and while fireworks (and all loud noises) can terrify me and be extremely difficult for me to cope with, I have never once thought that all fireworks should be canceled across America because it's difficult for ME to deal with them. For most, it is a time of celebration and fun times. For sufferers of PTSD, it can be a time of avoidance, isolation, fear, and so much worse.

Canceling fireworks would anger so many on so many levels. Even in my own little world, I have encountered enough people who don't have PTSD say things like, "Why don't you just get over it?... Or just plug your ears for crying out loud?" There is so little understanding from those who do NOT suffer from this disorder. There is no way to fully comprehend the effect triggers have on someone with PTSD, if you have not suffered it yourself. It is not merely a jolt like being startled and then you laugh about it. The fear and anxiety it triggers resonates in your entire body and it does not dissipate, and it makes you want to react, and maybe even fight for your life. And it can last for hours or even days.

Bottom line, I guess, is that this is MY disorder, and it is up to me to keep moving forward and learn how to live with my symptoms and triggers. It is not up to America to make my life easier. It's up to me to face PTSD head on and fight it until I've won. It may be a lifelong battle, but it's mine and mine alone.

I am grateful for the support I HAVE received from family, counselors, and online support groups and forums. They have saved me at times. But it's still my battle.

posted 4 years, 10 months ago
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