I’m not a soldier but this poem depicts why I write. I was deep in a hole. Fortunately, my counselor understood how to help me get out of my hole. I want to pass on what I learned. I still struggle with many things but I have a life now that 20 years ago I didn’t believe was possible.
A Soldier with PTSD fell into a hole and couldn’t get out.A Senior NCO went by and the Soldier with PTSD called out for help. The Senior NCO yelled and told him to suck it up dig deep & drive on, then threw him a shovel. But the Soldier with PTSD could not suck it up and drive on so he dug the hole deeper.
A Senior Officer went by and the Soldier with PTSD called out for help. The Senior Officer told him to use the tools your Senior NCO has given you then threw him a bucket. But the Soldier with PTSD was using the tools his Senior NCO gave him so he dug the hole deeper and filled the bucket.
A psychiatrist walked by. The Soldier with PTSD said, “Help! I can’t get out!” The psychiatrist gave him some drugs and said, “Take this. It will relieve the pain.” The Soldier with PTSD said thanks, but when the pills ran out, he was still in the hole.
A well-known psychologist rode by and heard the Soldier with PTSD cries for help. He stopped and asked, ” How did you get there? Were you born there? Did your parents put you there? Tell me about yourself, it will alleviate your sense of loneliness.” So the Soldier with PTSD talked with him for an hour, then the psychologist had to leave, but he said he’d be back next week. The Soldier with PTSD thanked him, but he was still in the hole.
A priest came by. The Soldier with PTSD called for help. The priest gave him a Bible and said, “I’ll say a prayer for you.” He got down on his knees and prayed for the Soldier with PTSD, then he left. The Soldier with PTSD was very grateful, he read the Bible, but he was still stuck in the hole.
A recovering Soldier with PTSD happened to be passing by. The Soldier with PTSD cried out, “Hey, help me. I’m stuck in this hole!” Right away the recovering Soldier with PTSD jumped down in the hole with him. The Soldier with PTSD said, “What are you doing? Now we’re both stuck here!!” But the recovering Soldier with PTSD said, “Calm down. It’s okay. I’ve been here before. I know how to get out.
~Author Unknown
PTSD - Accepting, Coping, Thriving 
Love this!
I’m glad you shared it. Thank you.
I’m still in the hole. I understand every word of this. I think I finally found a counselor that knows how to get out, but I’m afraid it won’t end up to be another shovel
It does feel like another shovel for quite a while. The changes are happening internally. Takes a while for it to reach to the outside.
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Judy included a link back to your post. I really needed to hear this today. I’ve been struggling with something with one of my sisters, in that I’m being challenged to make a choice about healthy boundaries. It helps to remember that those of us that were lucky enough to discover someone that could help us, who found ways to give us coping tools, have the ability to reach into that toolbox when needed, so that we can deal with the various ways that life can get sticky.
Thanks for sharing this one today.
I’m glad you saw the link on Judy’s page. Hugs.
awesome, I love this! Ty for sharing it. XX