Why are employers scared of PTSD?!?!

[ReconSGT_OIF]

2centswort I think its partly because of negative media attention. Does anyone remember the news stories about the E-7 from fort bragg that came home from bosnia, bought a gun and slaughtered his family before taking his own life? I think employers are frightened that one of 'US' could be the next workplace manslayer. And even though an employer may have a clause that says they do not discriminate based on disability or mental handicap, it makes you wonder if the reason i keep failing interviews and call-backs is because of their 'percieved' safety. Its one thing to hire a guy that is "slow" and not feel bad about safety... but they look past us and can look at us in their minds as a safety issue. Somebody tell me if i could possibly be wrong about this, but its MY opinion. Lots of vets come home and get GREAT jobs. But because I came back with "baggage" and some severe anger/depression issues, is it right? I remember a story recently of a marine home on leave in california, pulled up to a gas station, and told the clerk inside to call the police... the cops showed up and he started shooting... said he didnt want to go back to Iraq. How does one seperate himself from the bad publicity?

Heres the big question on my mind... Can I LEGALLY just not tell a prospective employer about whats going on with me and what has happened? Because to me it seems like that is the only way I will be able to provide for my family and keep us out of the city rescue mission. I've been there already, and dont want to go back. I do not want to be the guy on the street corner with a sign in the cold asking for spare change. Well, I could go on about this and the VA and other agencies that are SUPPOSED to be there to take care of us, but I lack the finger strength to write a novel tonight. I hope to get some good replies on this thread. Thank you for your time.

[snowyowl]

I've even wondered about the Federal job supervisors being afraid to hire veterans because of PTSD.
I've tried US Customs, Weather Service, NOAA, Navy, Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, Commerce, Agriculture, BLM, FWS, Energy, NARA, maybe some others I can't think of at the moment in at least eight different States. I think I've had three interviews out of perhaps 150+ applications with Federal Civil Service.

[Shawn Powell]

OIF,

Employers and the "church" are too chicken**** to get involved because they just don't get it. Why volunteer the info if the color's gonna drain from their faces and they start getting all shifty-eyed, nervous and sweaty and abruptly end the interview with something like, "Ah yes... well... we'll be in touch...."

Don't cast your pearls before swine, baby... they just don't get it... unless they been in the **** with the ragheads, it don't mean nothing. They prefer a docile, milquetoast civilian butt-kisser to a warrior who can get the job done and not put up with the BS of the 9-to-5 grind.

Yeah, you gotta support the fam no doubt about that... just tell 'em you served your time serving this great nation and now it's time to do what's best for the wife and kids. Unless they ask you if you got any problems, it ain't no one's business.

The VA's squaring you away, right? You got a counselor you can talk to? Mine's a Christian so that helps quite a bit... any Christian shrinks at your VA? Hell, you stay involved with this site you'll always have a sounding board and solid guys who will take care of you.

Lord, take care of my buddy and his family, please keep them safe and secure in your arms. You know the number of hairs on his head, you saw this coming before my buddy was ever conceived Lord, this never caught you by surprise. Please give him peace knowing that you are in complete control, show Yourself as his Great Defender, Redeemer, Protector and Father. Strengthen this child, God, let him be the daddy and husband You ordained him to be. Let him know that when one hurts, we all hurt Lord and we're here for him. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Snowyowl, that's for you too, bro!

A INCURSO UNUM EST A INCURSO OMNIS. (A Strike Against One is a Strike Against All)

Shawn.

[charlie wardog]

Do you tell them you have those issues? I suffer from some depression but there is no way I would tell my employer. I just started a job with Soc. Security this week. They called the local Vet Serice Office in my town looking for a veteran.

Although I haev accepted I have issues to deal with I ask God every day to help me through my day.

Where do you live? Email me at matthuff@pointman-ministries.org if you wish.

[ReconSGT_OIF]

I appreciate the response guys! Im actually going to a christ-centered 12 step program at my church called Celebrate Recovery. Im involved in the anger/depression group there, and we have about 4 vietnam vets there that help me thru stuff too. I recently made a commitment not to let PTSD control me, but to consiously push thru what I can. I dont want to be afraid to go the mall anymore. The other day I actually talked to someone I dont know in public. That is a big step for me. And im taking the advice of not volunteering info. I agree that most churches just dont want to get involved. At our last church while i was still in the army, they had the attitude that you can just give it to god and its taken care of just like that... that fast. and sadly, sometime that doesent work. Some things still need to be worked out. The place where I go now is doing awesome things with the recovery program. How many churches have a designated smoking area, and busses dedicated to pick up inmates and folks from the pre-release center for programs like this? Soon, i plan on talking with our recovery pastor about looking into a recovery program for vets in this city.

I have a few very good job leads I have followed up on that I expect a phone call back on any day. In other news, God has taken care of us yet again. I recieved a telephone call the other day from the tax prep. place that we filed with this year. They had a check in the office for me in the amount of $2000. We already got our refund back, and this was completely unexpected. The awesome part was, it had been there for a month. HE knew we were going to need it, and had her call us when the time was right.
So, the rent and utils are still paid plus extra.:dancing:

WOO-HOO!!:dancing: :dancing:

[Shawn Powell]

That's awesome, OIF.

Gotta be a God-thing, I think....

Shawn.

[Stickthrower]

This is Great!!!:dancing: I am usually on the forum at night at about 2100 hrs, Pacific Standard Time. If I can be of any assistance by all means drop me a line. I can also send you my phone number where we can talk. I hope God keeps smiling for you.
Brothers forever,
Frank

[Don Dodson]

First, I echo Shawn's opinion: "Gotta be a God-thing!" Secondly, I agree completely with the advice that prospective employers have only the right to know if you can perform the "essential functions" of the job, "with or without reasonable accommodations." Don't volunteer any information except information that helps them know you WILL meet their needs. I don't think this is deceptive, and we surely do not want to commit the sin of lying to our "masters." If you were applying for a job counting widgets sitting on a stool all day, is it any of the "master's" business that you are carrying around some ChiCom chunks in your leg? NO!

However, we must realize that our war related burdens can pop to the surface in the wrong circumstances, and we must mentally "suit-up" in the Whole Armor of God before we punch the time clock. I work for a hyper-critical anti-war pacifist Buddist type guy who is 10 years younger than I am. I know God has placed me in his life, and he in my life. When I am ready to explode all over him, I get out and walk around the block. (Thankfully, I have a loving wife I can call upon to help defuse me, too.) I finally had to admit to him I have PTSD issues, since I blew up on my RVN anniversary date last September. I had forgotten to "suit-up" on a day that I thought I had gotten over.

I know God is working on and with you, OIF. As He is with all of us. GREAT PRAYER, SHAWN!!! Blessings to you all.

WELCOME HOME!

Don "Oboeman" Dodson
DodsonOboeVet@NorthernTrail.net

[chapmic]

Man alive, is this an interesting topic. We spent 3 weeks of discussion on this very subject at our local PMIM meetings, and at the VET Center. Four out of 11 of us have completed "In-patient" PTSD programs- and each one of us had experiences of some pretty blatant discrimination within a year afterwards. They were all as result of low level consciousnous and pure naivete- but nevertheless very hurting and causing some set-backs in recovery.
On the surface, my episode was seemingly innocuous, yet it simmered in me for months. It was not an employment issue, it was a volunteer role that I had for 26 years. I was the Director of a youth soccer coaching program and was a National Trainer with the highest certifications in our area. This role was my salvation for many of those years, because it handled the 'hypervigilance' stuff real well. I had tons of happy coaches; about 710 to be exact--- that I trained. And then one stormy day when I offered to come out of retirement to do some classroom teaching, I hear at the local grocery store that the "new regime" had learned that I sought treatment for PTSD and did not think I should be teaching anymore. What gall! No way to speak of Marine eh? So I had to exercise that 'forgiveness' muscle and move on. But it was not easy,since I had so much pride in my work.
Yup, it is true- at all levels- discrimination is a snake in the grass, and the very reason that this forum is so helpful as an outlet to talk about it with kindred souls.
God speed, Mic