“I’ve got good news and bad news…”
-Navy Pilot Jim Tritten
Bump In The Road:
Jim Tritten on PTSD and Writing to Heal
Our latest podcast episode, “Bump in the Road,” is not your ordinary tale of survival. It’s a deep dive into the psyche of a military pilot who, despite saving an aircraft and its passengers, faced an aftermath that would unravel only years later. Jim’s story is one of resilience, a testament to the human spirit’s ability to confront the most daunting obstacles.
Listeners will be taken on a journey through Jim’s life, from the moment of the crash to the psychological repercussions that followed. The physical manifestations of his trauma were as perplexing as they were frightening—losing time while driving, an inability to control emotions, and a decline in his once-impeccable flying skills.
But it was the psychological impact that proved the most challenging to overcome. Jim’s candid recounting of his diagnosis and the stigma associated with mental illness in the military paints a poignant picture of the struggles faced by many veterans. The episode sheds light on the complexities of PTSD, the difficulty in seeking help, and the courage required to face a diagnosis that can alter the course of one’s life.
What makes this episode particularly compelling is Jim’s choice of weapon in his fight against PTSD: creative writing. Through his words, he’s been able to channel his experiences, both real and fictionalized, into stories that resonate with authenticity and emotion. His journey into writing is not just a coping mechanism but a form of therapy that has allowed him to reinvent himself and help others along the way.
Join us in listening to this powerful episode. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for the silent battles many face and perhaps find inspiration in Jim’s creative resurgence—a beacon of hope for anyone who has faced their own bumps in the road.
Navy Pilot Jim Tritten on PTSD, Writing and Healing
“PTSD… by legal definition, is a mental illness.”
“I have to get up every day and remind myself I have a mental illness.”
“I’ll never be the person I was before I was diagnosed… I’m a new person. I’m totally reinvented and I’m doing the best that I can.”
“I didn’t want to write about my aircraft crash, but I’ll fictionalize aircraft crashes, and I’ll write about an aircraft crash in my books and stories.”
Recent Comments