Tortilla Chip Wisdom

 

Just when you think hope is fading away, you often find it in unexpected place.   I found hope on a tortilla chip bag along with something else...

So, I love tortilla chips.  Love to make nachos with them, and dip them in salsa.   I bought a jumbo bag of Mission brand tortilla chips the other day and found something unexpected.  Wisdom!    I didn't notice when I purchased the bag, but it was a "wounded warrior" bag  and 10 cents of the purchase goes to the wounded warrior project.    On my bag of tortilla chips is the story of Brian and Amee.   Brian came back from Iraq with PTSD.    The wounded warrior project helped him with his PTSD, and his wife Amee, as well. 
 The story also states that "PTSD isn't a stigma."    I loved this!  Brian and Amee are pictured on the back of the bag and basically are coming forward to share their story and to tell how going in for services for PTSD and services for spouses and families have helped them.    Bravo Brian and Amee!   I think that you are an incredible example of strong people who refuse to feel shame for needing or seeking help.  And bravo to Mission Tortilla Chips for donating money to the wounded warrior project and for putting this information on their product packaging.

Many of our nation's heroes come back from war with either combat related PTSD or traumatic brain injury, or both.   Here is a staggering statistic from NAMI:

Although military members comprise less than 1 percent of the U.S. population, veterans represent 20 percent of suicides nationally. Each day, about 18 veterans die from suicide.

This situation has to change.  Stigma has to stop.   Even one suicide a day is one suicide too many.

 

Tell stigma to take a hike.   It's too stupid to be your friend anyway.