Posted on Jul 4, 2015

Should those of us that have issues with fireworks ask others to not celebrate Independence Day in a traditional manner?

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PTSD

Fireworks

Posted >1 y ago

This is a duplicate discussion. Click below to see more on this topic.

PTSD sign for Forth of July: Are we going to far?

Lately I have seen this pop up way too much. First, I have a serious issue with those that claim PTSD for little more watching a movie or hearing a war story. This website that makes the PTSD sign was called out by, http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=60565 , for making up PTSD claims. To make it worse this guy is making money by selling these signs.

I don't need to share my experience with PTSD. I have rode that ride. If you run into a guy claiming how bad their PTSD is then you will often find one that is embellishing or bagging for attention. It isn't think that I like to bring up and when I do it is with the ones that know what it is like.

Now a days many Veterans want to be put on a pedestal. I don't want your sympathy or your sorrow. I just want to be like everyone else, a productive citizen. I don't need to be treated with soft gloves or some preference. I didn't ask for that and I don't expect it.

These signs are doing more harm than good. It makes people think that you can't even make a loud sound around a Vet without them snapping. If fireworks are really an issue then I would ask you to seek hope and visit your neighbors in person and let them know if your concerns. What I don't want is to ruin my neighbors weekend by preventing them to celebrate it how they seem fit.

Do you have one of these signs? Are they really just a grab for attention? Is it be or are we glorifying our veteran status? Last of all, how many of these veterans do you think are exaggerating their PTSD claims? I have seen my share of some serious cases. I have never known one to put up a PTSD sign in their yard or advertise their PTSD.

Responses: 3

Maj Kim Patterson

Posted >1 y ago

A request for courtesy does not equate to a demand that a ban be placed on celebrations. And to those of you who believe posting a sign to let your neighbors know that you have PTS belongs back in the closet make me wonder if all of the forward progress (ok, slight) that the nation has made in recognition of the existence, research and care of PTS/MST also needs to backslide into said closet. I live in a neighborhood with several rental properties and have never met some of my neighbors. They shoot off fireworks for days and not just the little ones. This year, someone organized a block party and provided me with enough notice to decide if I wanted to go elsewhere. This is courtesy.

SFC Joseph Weber

>1 y

I just do not understand why you would ever tell your neighbors or anyone about a medical or personal problem you have. It's no ones flicking business.

Maj Kim Patterson

>1 y

I do not like large fireworks aimed directly at my house. It has nothing to do with a medical condition. But the posting of signage asking for courtesy is a choice just as not having one is and for those that see it, choosing to respect or ignore, also choices.

MSG (Join to see)

>1 y

Major Patterson,
I agree that all those things are choices. Bottom line to me is that there is nothing wrong with it until we attach a judgement to the action. We internally speculate as to why the person put up a sign (or didn't) and we think negatively a lot of the times.
I'm glad you said that about choices.
A good design: I see a sign, I read it, and I decide how to react based off of the factual information in front of me and not the assumptions I make about the situation surrounding said sign.
I know this is a little off subject but I thought my personal insight would be worth sharing. Thanks for your comments.