S2E6: The Runner

How far can we run? The chaos of war doesn’t always end with survival. Meet a Vietnam Veteran who vividly remembers each loss but refuses to forget everything he has gained. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.

Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss.

Kelly O’Malley is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Clinical Director of the Mental Health Consult-Liaison Service at the VA Boston Community Living Center. Her research focuses on examining the re-emergence of PTSD in later life and developing policies and training for trauma-informed care for older adults in VA CLCs.

Resources and Further Reading for this episode: ·

• Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version
• The My Life My Story Podcast
• The Honor Flight Network
• Coming Home: Vietnam Veterans in American Society
• Why Were Vietnam War Vets Treated Poorly When They Returned?
• Mental Health Impact of Homecoming Experience Among 1730 Formerly Deployed Veterans From the Vietnam War to Current Conflicts: Results From the Veterans' Health Study - PubMed (nih.gov)

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