Meet Cate (20 page)

Dear Reader,

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a serious disease, but one that can be managed.
With the help of a trained professional, life can grow easier.

If you've experienced a trauma and are having trouble handling it (either because you've found yourself unable to deal with the thought of what you've seen, or because the thought of what's happened to you won't leave you alone), please ask questions of a trusted medical professional.

You do not have to be alone in your battle. There is hope.

If you find yourself in a position of support to a brave survivor of PTSD, please do not forget to take exceptionally good care of
you
.
You are very
important. You are so worth it.

I haven't found a survivor yet who doesn't appreciate our support, although they can't always show it. If you care for yourself daily, you're not only supporting your survivor (you'll find yourself with more to offer), you're setting a good example for him/her and anyone else watching (your children, for example).

If my support feels good to you, I encourage you to check in on Facebook (at Facebook.com/BeachChristmasLife) where we're devoted to supporting you, the partner. If you feel alone in your journey as a partner, my first book (
The
Survivor's Guide to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Love Story,
by Fiona Barnes, Amazon, 2014
)
may remind you you're not alone. In it, Paul (my former husband, a firefighter with PTSD) answers questions that will almost certainly help you and/or your survivor. You can read an excerpt on Amazon.com.

Thank you for the work you're doing. It's good.

Yours,

Fiona

Fiona Barnes is a mother, and now, an author. In her spare time, she encourages women of all ages to write. She and her children live on the shore in Connecticut, with their pup (a serious black lab, whose daily exploits include a pursuit of all things fun).

Her first book,
The Survivor's Guide to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
, is
available on Amazon.com.

For more information about the author (or her fun) please visit BeachChristmasLife.com.

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Thank you for your support.

. . . . . . .