Written & Read by: Luis Carlos Montalvan
Background:
I saw this book when my latest Audible Credit came available and instantly grabbed it. As mentioned in the first book I blogged, "Through a Dogs Eyes" I am a Service Dog Trainer. So I have a natural affinity towards all things concerning Service Dogs. Capt. Montalvan is a two term Veteran of the War in Iraq, a highly decorated leader, who during an attack while on post suffered severe injuries. He damaged several vertebrae in his spine, a massive concussion causing brain injury, and several deep cuts. His experiences ultimately led to his post service diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. PTSD is a mental disorder that is just beginning to be understood by Doctors and the Public alike. There are many people who want to claim that Vets or other individuals with PTSD are faking it, just to take advantage of the VA Medical system, and get access to powerful drugs. The common line of thought I've heard is something like this. "Vets with PTSD are just weak minded and need to toughen up and get back to a normal life. If WWII Vets, and Vietnam Vets, could re-enter society without drugs or service dogs, then why do these Iraq and Afghanistan Vets need them? Clearly they are just lazy and need to get off their collective butts and get about a normal life. " It is this kind of thinking that is leading to ever higher Suicide rates in our Military today. We must take care of our Veterans, they sacrifice everything to take care of us, I think it literally is the least we can do.
Normal life for people suffering with PTSD simply does not exist anymore. Plus our understanding of how War works needs to change. Every other war from Vietnam to the Civil War had one thing in common, a named and identifiable enemy. This is not true in the so called "War on Terror". When you're not fighting a Country or other definable Enemy this completely changes how your soldiers have to fight. In todays Wars we are fighting a nameless faceless enemy. Everyone a US Soldier encounters while on a patrol is a potential threat. So for days/weeks/months/years, these guys and girls we send to fight our battles live on the edge and have to constantly judge their situation. Is that stray soda can actually a bomb? Is this person I'm arresting actually a terrorist or just desperate to return to his family and provide for their needs? In Capt. Montalvan's case, a group of Iraqis that his unit had trusted turned on them and attacked them in cold blood.
How does anyone living in that kind of world, where everything and everyone is out to get you come back and try to live a "normal" life?
Stacking PTSD on top of physical disabilities just complicates things even further. For Vets who have lost limbs, or can no longer walk, or like Capt. Montalvan have hidden injuries, a service dog can be that key piece to gaining some of that normalcy back. I've seen it time after time, and every time I'm blown away by what these highly skilled dogs are capable of. From simple things like retrieving shoes or keys, to complicated tasks like opening doors or helping undress, these dogs can do it all. And they LOVE IT.
For me the most difficult part of reading "Until Tuesday" was hearing Capt. Montalvan's accounts of discrimination against him and Tuesday. Pretty much every day he will enter a public place with Tuesday at his side, and be told to leave. Since he lives in New York City, he rides public transportation and will almost always be hassled by bus drivers when trying to enter a City Bus. These episodes, while frustrating enough for anyone with a disability, can be the beginnings of a complete melt down for someone with PTSD. It's stories like this that make me want to keep training these dogs, and keep educating the public everywhere that these dogs aren't just well trained pets, they are Professionals in every sense of the word. They get more training, more attention and more life experiences than any 5 pet dogs will ever have in their whole lives. Service dogs are like the Special Forces of the Military, they are the best of the best. Which is why most Service dog organizations have about a 50% placement rate. The other 50% just don't have what it takes for the rigors of the human world.
So here is my challenge for you. All 5 of you who might be reading this. Whenever you see someone in a wheel chair, say Hello to them. You might be the only person who acknowledges them that day. And if you see someone with a Service Dog being discriminated against, take the time to stand up for them.
The Review:
I loved "Until Tuesday" , it's a great story, and one that should be shared far and wide. As a Service Dog trainer myself, I hope to someday get the chance to meet Capt. Montalvan and Tuesday. The book is well written and well read by the author. I'm so glad that he read the book himself. My only criticism would be for the production people. There were alot of times when he was reading where you could tell they made a cut, and edited in a re-reading. His voice sometimes changed so much it sounded like another person reading it. After awhile I could tell that it wasn't another person, it just changed the flow of the Audiobook.
Rating 5/5
-B
No comments:
Post a Comment