I had the opportunity to hold a 100%-PTSD disabled rated combat veteran's "morning" set of medications and supplements recently (as opposed to his or her "evening" set), and it reminded me of another piece of artwork done by Iowa artist John Paul Hornbeck, a veteran whose dad is a disabled Vietnam veteran.We've blogged about John Paul's artwork earlier, particular his sculpture, "Shattered Soldier," about PTSD.
(The handful shown represents a variety of medications to control psychological symptoms of PTSD, as well as to medicate the various physiological ailments, some of them quite serious, which often accompany PTSD in a combat veteran. Then there are medications to control side effects of other medications, and some supplements to replace nutrients the medications destroy. The handful shown is really just a sample of what this combat veteran takes throughout the day; and other items, such as a pain patch, are not shown. But you get the general idea...)
John Paul has done some other provocative artwork, too: a modified rendition of the classic POW/MIA flag to remind us that homeless veterans are "missing in America" -- meaning, missing in plain sight -- and another lifesize image of a disabled veteran, done as a sculpture, where the face of the veteran is composed entirely of pills. Pinned to an outside pocket of the vet's camouflage jacket is a pill case, reminding him when to take his medication, and John Paul has depicted it in patriotic colors, resembling the American flag. Interesting, edgy stuff, from a veteran who is very familiar with his own father's dependence on VA-supplied medication for alleged "quality of life."
(Fortunately, there are other methods for reducing dependence on medication, including mind-body medicine, which we've blogged about earlier -- indexed here. And there are also ways to evaluate the effectiveness and potential side-effects of common prescription medications, according to other PTSD sufferers. We've blogged about that earlier as well -- linked here.)
John Paul Hornbeck's sculpture, "The Veteran," follows:
