I am the son of a Vietnam Veteran, and an ex-serviceman myself. My father served in 6 Platoon, B Co, 1RAR infantry in Vietnam in Bien Hoa, just outside Saigon (Ho Chi Min) from june '65 - june '66. He went over on the HMAS Sydney which was an aircraft carrier converted to a troop carrier and was affectionately known as "The Vung Tau Ferry". He was attached to the 173rd Airborne Brigade as their 3rd Infantry Battalion, and did most, but not all, of their operations with them. Most of this Battalion are still members of the 173rd.

I have lived with PTSD in both my Father, Mother (as his carer) and myself and have much to contribut to this research. Indeed, this is a principal motivation for me to gain a level of qualification that demands respect, as this one thing lacking for those who share the inheritance of this war.

I have studied intergenerational impacts of PTSD in corrective services, employment, education and mental health, and am overwhelmingly convinced, from a scientific and personal perspective, that there are many issues that need to be addressed by Australian policy developers and implementers.

Currently my research concerns the micro-social construction of how we children define what, and when PTSD means something to us. Put simply, this means investigating what are the cues and instructions from our social environments that cause symptoms and provide workable solutions.

As you are probably well aware, there are those of us who do well (resilient) and those who do not on a daily basis. My aim is to collect enough evidence to force a reframing of the definition of PTSD that is both different from the DSM's diagnosis (the DSM - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders - is the mental health practitioner's bible. It is like a mental illness encyclopedia. Unfortunately, it is very biased and negative in its perspective, only presenting clients with bad news regarding their condition.) Australian's are resilient by nature. We have to be. Our culture is based on the "Great Aussie Battler". When the going gets tough, get Aussie. What we need is an UNDSM - a diagnostic manual that looks on the bright side of PTSD and other mental conditions. It is time to start focussing on what people CAN do, rather than what they cannot. It is time for the professionals who work in mental "health" to work towards that ideal, instead of perpetuating a society of victimisation.

This study looks at the heritability of PTSD and its associated conditions from genetic, psychological, neuroanatomical and social perspectives. It examines historical perspectives while considering cultural and social evolution.

The study also aims to formally identify a sub-culture of PTSD. A culture can be defined by its behaviours, attitudes, fashion and language. Good examples are the Goths and Surfers. Who can remember "Widgees"? It is an aim of this research to force the recognition of this sub-culture and encourage further studies to be conducted on the dynamics and mechanisms that influence it.

The knowledge gained can help children and grandchildren of ALL people experiencing the ill effects of PTSD - not just Vietnam (however, this site is currently dedicated just for children and grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans)to understand our unique differences in the way that derives meaning, self image and self identity from our experiences with our family, friends, school and society in general.

So, Help me to help you.

Join this site. Post your comments and contribute.

Thank you.