Honoring experience
As Matt explains, “A big part of PTSD has to do with your memories.” As readers, we understand that these triggers are deeply individual, and can be different for everyone. Talking about it–both in a therapeutic setting and with friends and loved ones–proves to be an essential piece of Matt’s recovery. Sharing his experiences helps him forge a new beginning and embark on a new career as an arborist (“just a fancy word for a tree surgeon,” he says). By tending to his own roots and treating them with care, Matt, too, is able to ensure his own survival.