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A powerful new documentary follows several Veterans and service members as they share their personal stories of transformation, hope and growth.
“Transformed by Trauma: Stories of Posttraumatic Growth” follows the experiences of Veterans, prisoners of war, service members and first responders as they recount their stories of survival to now thriving after their hardships. The stories offer inspiration and highlight the possibility of growth after trauma—known as Posttraumatic Growth (PTG).
One of the film’s compelling voices is Capt. Charlie Plumb, a Vietnam Veteran and former POW who was imprisoned for nearly six years at the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.”
“POWs are living proof of PTG,” said Plumb. “I survived nearly six years as a prisoner of war—what could challenge me more than that? We only get so many struggles in life, and it’s a terrible thing to waste any of them.”
The science of PTG shows that struggle can be a catalyst for profound growth and change. Instead of being diminished by trauma, individuals can emerge stronger and more authentic, embodying the best versions of themselves.
The film also challenges the current approach to mental health care, exploring both the frequency and impact of PTSD diagnoses.
“PTSD has become a catch-all diagnosis,” said Ken Falke, Navy Veteran and founder of Boulder Crest Foundation. “In our country, we’ve created a medical model and 500,000 people to treat it, but it doesn’t work.”
Josh Goldberg, CEO of Boulder Crest, added, “With the PTSD label, you’re told you have a permanent disorder, and the best you can do is focus on feeling less bad. We need to change that narrative because it’s literally killing people.”
Boulder Crest Foundation, a non-profit organization, has spent the past decade developing programs based on the science of PTG. Through peer-delivered training programs—like Warrior PATHH for Combat Veterans and service members—the organization has transformed the lives of more than 100,000 people.
“Our mission extends beyond just helping Veterans and first responders,” said Falke. “We’re working to change the way mental health care is approached in this country for all people with trauma histories. That’s a monumental task, but it’s necessary.”
Watch “Transformed By Trauma: Stories of Posttraumatic Growth.”
Learn more about the science of PTG, explore the online PTG Resource Center & Library.
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Where Can I view this movie? If like to Watch it!
As a third generation disabled Veteran I have a somewhat unique perspective on the VA experience. I have clear memory pushing my father’s manual wheelchair at more than a few appointments at the VA in SF CA. My father was stationed at Hickam Field HI on 07Dec41. He was a Private assigned to the Base Fire Station right next to the flight line. His fire truck only made it half way out the Fire House door. He returned home one of the earlier returning WW2 injured Veterans. I don’t know too much about my maternal grandfather besides family stories and I have his WW1 USMC foot locker with his name stenciled on in what appears to be appropriate era paint. He came home and lived long enough to sire seven children but passed away just in time in leave my grandmother with seven children going into the great depression. OF the seven children four of them were males, all of which served in WW2 and returned home intact.
Problem with a story that lasts multiple generation this site runs out of space….