With raw emotion, painful honesty, and a deep desire to help others, Juanima Hiatt has written her story of struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in The Invisible Storm.
Likely we have all heard the acronym PTSD, and most often it has been with the stories of returning members of the military service branches who have been deployed to Iraq, Pakistan orAfghanistan in recent years.
Juanima’s story is not so different from those returning from war with PTSD, except that Juanima has never served in the military. Her symptoms may be the same, her battle for recovery similar, and her frustration with the health care available to her often equal. But Juanima is the mother of two young daughters and is married to the love of her life at the time of her diagnosis. Why would she have PTSD?
Consider the word “traumatic” in the full description of the disorder. Juanima was the victim of excessive trauma as a child and adolescent and even into young adult life. Successful at finally reaching that place where she could push down everything that hurt her into a dark vacuous hole, Juanima managed to make her way through life, becoming a happily married woman and mother, until one fateful day.
On reading the first chapter of The Invisible Storm, I was shaken to my core. Here Juanima details the birth of her second daughter, an experience unlike any other I had ever heard described. The level of her pain is immense, the empathy of her care providers is lacking, with one admitting to making a mistake in administering the epidural block she requested. What happens next is unthinkable, almost an out-of-body experience for Juanima. This quote best describes Juanima’s feelings during this horrific time:
“It was a mirror image of the past. Helplessness… hopelessness… pain… shame… unheard cries of desperation, and it awakened a dark, horrifying life of long ago that I could no longer deny.”
The birth of this second child and its intrinsic trauma triggers the onset of PTSD and Juanima’s long hidden and protected history of abuse and scars begins to boil up to taunt her. That she survives this ordeal is testament to her faith, her incredible strength and her determination to regain her life as she once lived it.
Juanima’s courage and bravery in sharing this most difficult story is, in her own words, a part of her healing process. Hers has not been an easy road to travel, but supported by her loving husband and faithful friends Juanima has made great progress toward living a life she can be proud to share with her daughters and others.
Juanima’s story is graphic in places and heartbreaking in too many places. Yet it is a book to be read by anyone who lives with or knows someone struggling with PTSD. Juanima takes you inside . . . inside the victim’s mind, inside the healthcare system, inside therapy sessions. Her story can help you help someone else.
A great review, Sherrey.
Thanks, Belinda!
You’re welcome; you’re an excellent writer 🙂
The mind has seriously amazing coping devices, and I am so glad that Juanima was able to heal. Looking forward to reading her book!Laura
Thank you, Laura! Likewise! xo
Laura, thanks for stopping by and reading my review. Juanima has done an amazing job of writing her story but even more amazing has been her healing process.
Sherrey, what a beautiful review of The Invisible Storm. I’m really touched, and you hit the nail on the head over and over. For years, PTSD threatened to destroy me and everything I cared about; however, I firmly believe now there isn’t anything we can’t conquer. I am now VERY proud to share my life and immense love with my daughters, teaching them resilience, faith, optimism, and determination. PTSD was a living hell, but I have truly found many gifts in it as well. Thanks for your wonderful, heartfelt review.
Juanima, it was my joy to review your book. What you have given to those who read The Invisible Storm is a great gift of hope. That doesn’t happen too often in our world today, at last not often enough.
[…] Read the rest of my review here. […]
Sherrey, I read Juanima’s memoir and was so glad she left in a couple of chapters which explained the trauma she went through as a child and teenager. I’m so glad you reviewed her memoir as well.
Thanks, Sonia. That was a tough call (as it’s definitely a tough read), and yet so far everyone has agreed those chapters need to be there. Thank you for that affirmation, and I so appreciated your review as well. xo
Juanima, you made a good call on leaving those chapters in. Yes, it was a tough read, but it allows your reader to see that the trauma began long before and had been successfully buried. This affirms that trauma can be dredged up years later.
Sonia, I agree that the chapters on Juanima’s experiences during childhood and her teens was an integral part of her story.
Thanks for your review, Sherrey. As always insightful and sensitive. Now I can’t wait to read this book.
Thank you, Madeline, for reading my review.
Your review was very well written, Sherrey. As a fellow survivor of PTSD among other anxieties, I felt a familiar pain in my gut as I read about Ms. Hiatt’s struggles. I am looking forward to reading this book. I’ll make sure to hop over to Amazon and get it on my wish list.
Grace, I wasn’t aware of your battle with PTSD until a short time ago. I think you’ll enjoy (if that’s the appropriate word) Juanima’s book. Thanks for stopping by!
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