Happy 4th July to all the Americans in here!

[Scottietottie]

Happy 4th July to all the Americans in here! 

[irish]

Thanks Scottie. During times like these freedom is something that we should not take for granted. Too much world strife lately and it is worrisome. Thanks again.Irish 

[Joe S.]

A week of fireworks is challenging for my PTSD. How many others have this problem?

At least I do not have lighning going through my body with the noise.

[Linda196]

I understand that a lot of veterans and others suffering with PTSD find the celebrations involving fireworks challenging, to say the least, many are terrified and it triggers relapses. I'm very pleased to see a growing movement to increase awareness of this, and I hope you have been able to find a safe environment where you can enjoy and cherish your freedom, without the noise and flash!

[Scottietottie]

We have fireworks at a different time of yar for a different commemoration.

The first memory I have of bonfire night ws probably when I was about five or six. It was quite a big display in communal gardens.

There were pretty fireworks first that didn't make a lot of noise but towards the end of the display the bigger rockets went up, exploding loudly and showering the sky with gorgeous coloured rain. Well - that ws the way I saw it.

I then noticed my father flat on his face under a tree with his hands over his head. He was shaking and it took a while for my mother to get him to his feet. I had no idea what was going on. Aged 5 - war to me was ancient history - but I was five about 12 years after WW2 ended.

I empathise with those with PTSD today.

Take care - Scottie 

[Linda196]

I'm reminded of an episode of M*A*S*H, when the unit temporarily adopted a bus load of Korean orphans, Klinger was telling a bedtime story, and when he described the Big Bad Wolf sliding down a chimney by raising his hand, then lowering it accompanied by a whistle.......the child was terrified by the reminder to a falling bomb.  I know it was "just a TV show" but the thought haunts me that children are living with this terror as well as adults.