The Invisible Wounds Movement

This all started thanks to Stephanie Mason Lembo,
 a  woman I have never met whose life has changed dramatically, due to an unfortunate event. She lost her husband to the battle with PTSD, he took his own life and left her to raise their two children. Because of her I have made it my life's mission to help spread awareness of PTSD and suicide that plagues veterans like myself because the VA doesn't do their job in a timely manner. We feel as though it is a sign of weakness, and suffer rather than seek the help we need. We feel as though life would be easier, not for us, but for our loved ones, if we just removed ourselves from the picture and decreased the burden.

I know first hand how crippling this can be. No matter how badly you would like to get up off of the couch and just do something to participate in life, you feel you can't. You wonder why you are the way you are and how you got so broken. The worst part is you do your best to hide it from those you love. If they knew and understood what was really going on with you, they would be willing to drop everything to help you in a heartbeat because they love you. Not to get too deep into my story, because this isn't about me. If you want to read my story I invite you to go to my page. Because of Stephanie Mason Lembo’s video I have been able to let go of all my built-up self hate and have begun to love myself again. I have seen the light and that life is worth living, since my attempts on my life resulted in my best friend and fellow Marine convincing me to seek help. His name is Alan Kissinger, and he discovered in the middle of one of these attempts, and he literally saved my life.

But that’s enough about me. This GoFundMe is simply to help raise money to support our efforts to spread awareness. Hopefully it will reach those that are struggling and afraid to seek help, to let them know that there are options and programs outside the VA that can help them get better, and participate in this glorious thing we call life again. My hope is that this movement will inspire someone else like it did me, to tell their story, face the demons they are hiding, and finally close those old wounds that no one can see. I can tell you first hand it is a terrible feeling to have to constantly wear a false smile for those you love, or go to work to support your family (if you are fortunate enough to have one) while you are completely falling apart and screaming on the inside for change and help. You feel as though there is nowhere to turn except toward the barrel of a gun or, in my case, a noose around the neck, a knife to an artery, or even a bag over your head.

So please take the time to donate and help me fight the good fight against the terrible disease known as PTSD, which claims on average 22 Veterans lives everyday. A number I personally can no longer live with, and am doing everything in my power to change. #Namaste #SemperFidelis #InvisibleWounds

Check out the Invisible Wounds Facebook Page:

http://on.fb.me/1Onfxoo

Twitter and Website coming soon...