Hi my name is Jacqueline and I have PTSD and depression. Some of the
PTSD was from childhood abuse, but a lot of it was from my job. I'm
not exactly sure if I fit in your description. I wasn't an EMS, or
Fire responder. I was a deputy prosecutor in a small jurisdiction
where the prosecutors were also the coroners. Any deaths outside of
the hospital or hospice had to be attended and all the autopsies
witnessed. Being a woman I felt the need to show a tough front, but
some of the bloodier calls got me. Especially the deaths with
children and auto accidents. Something about auto accidents really
got me. I also had a problem prepairing and trying child abuse cases
because they reminded me so much of my past. Finally, just in case I
don't have enough to flashback on, I had an accident one night while
I was driving home from a coroner call. The car I was driving got
stuck in the snow on train tracks in a rural crossing and just then a
freight train came. I got out in time but the car was toast. It
totally traumatized me. I couldn't sleep for weeks. And even now
years later I still dream of trains and hear the sound of the horn,
screatching breaks, and crushing metal. It wasn't long after that
that I got out of criminal law, moved to a bigger city, and got into
therapy. I've been in therapy for about 3 years and it's helped a
lot. I don't flood with the flashbacks nearly as bad as I did. I'm
not sure if I'll ever shake it completely. I saw a lot of death and
trauma. It's hard because no-one understands. My friends think I
had a cool job full of excitement. They don't understand how I'll
see a little blond haired girl who will remind me of a victim and
make it all flood back.

Okay, that's enough for now. I look forward to getting to know you
all.