Leave Feedback

Share
Embed Get Code
Category Foundation Coverage
Info

Leshonda:

“PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – was something people used to get out of Iraq. That’s what I thought. That’s what I knew. Oh, I was wrong. Dead, almost dead wrong.”

Healing the Hidden Wounds of War

“I was a platoon sergeant over in Iraq and chemical operations specialist. I knew if I didn’t do my job correctly a lot of people would end up getting sick or a lot of people would die and I didn’t want to let that happen on my watch.

The mission that came up where I had gotten hurt I knew something was wrong because when we left this particular part of town there were people there and when we came back there wasn’t a soul to be found. And I knew then something was about to happen. As soon as the truck in front of mine blew up all hell broke loose. Here come the bullets, just all over the place. I sustained multiple injuries to my face, torso, stomach and legs. Out of 8 people I was the only one who made it home. That was hard for me to deal with because I was solely responsible for those boys.

It wasn’t until I came home that I knew something was off, something was wrong. But I didn’t know what. Little did I know at the time I had made a terrible mistake by not healing my mind. Slowly but surely I systematically lost everything I had… in less than 2 years. On November 18, 2011 I stood on the window ledge, shut my eyes and said a prayer. I know what got me to that window ledge but I also know what got me out of that window ledge and why I’m here now.

I believe in my heart that Transcendental Meditation is a humongous portion of the reason why I’m still sitting here now. To know that something as small of a concept – 20 minutes, twice a day – can make me feel like I feel now. That’s a gift you can’t buy. It’s an opportunity that I think everybody should be afforded. My heart is with my soldiers, my friends, my comrade-in-arms. I know what it can benefit and how it can benefit others. Especially my wounded warrior community. Because those wounds…. just because you can’t see a wound doesn’t mean it’s not there. In actuality it’s those wounds are the hardest to heal.

I’ve never felt this good in life, I don’t think. It’s given me “me” back.”

For more information on the David Lynch Foundation’s Operation Warrior Wellness please visit http://operationwarriorwellness.org