Having children can be a tricky thing, especially when you’re dealing with something like PTSD. It can be hard to explain something like PTSD to adults, let alone children. This Army veteran wrote a children’s book to help his daughter understand the complex condition that affects their family.
This is such an inspiring story for anyone with PTSD, scroll down!
This Army vet writes a children’s book to help his daughter and other people understand the complex condition.
Army 1st Sgt. Seth Kastle is retired now, but back in his active service days, he was deployed to Qatar, Afganistan, and Iraq. When he finally returned home to Wakeeney, Kansas, the damage was already done. The only way he could describe the feeling he had when coming back was being like “a fire in his chest.”
Filled with anger and rage, he struggled to cope with the lasting affects war. Outbursts we’re common, with little rhyme or reason, Army 1st Sgt. Kastle didn’t even understand it himself. He had no idea he was suffering from Post Dramatic Stress Disorder.
The Army 1st Sgt. and father, struggled to figure out where the anger was coming from. Little did he know, it was PTSD.
There are many different symptoms of PTSD, but Sgt. Kastle’s main symptom was anger. It started to get the best of him, eventually, spilling into his home life. Even he acknowledges, that there were times his wife should have left him. Thankfully, they’ve worked it out, thanks to his wife, Julia, being extremely understanding of his illness.
“I waited until it was too late. There have been a thousand times looking back where my wife should have left me.” Said, Army 1st Sgt. Seth Kastle.
Explaining his PTSD to the children was much more difficult, so he heard a fellow soldier published a children’s book about PTSD, he decided to do the same.
After a rough day, he came home and jotted down a quick story about his PTSD. The story sat there until eventually, inspiration struck. He heard that a fellow veteran published a children’s book, so he decided to do the same.
After a Kickstarter campaign raised the money in 2015 to hire an illustrator, Keith Published his book. The children’s book, titled “Why Is Dad So Mad,” follows a family of lions who’s father struggles with PTSD.
“After I read the first book to my daughter I remember her saying, ‘I’m sorry you have a fire in your chest now dad’ she was four at the time. That’s something I’m always going to remember.” Said, Kieth.
Kieth went on to write another book called “Why Is Mom So Mad,” also to help families in the military.
Kieth now has two books, both to help families struggling with PTSD. The children’s book has made a difference in his life, and many others.
This is a subject that needs all the awareness it can get! It’s great to see a brave veteran doing something to try to help families who are in need. To see Kieth and his family, watch the video below!
Army veteran with PTSD writes a children’s book – To help families suffering understand the condition.
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