Interview with Janine, mother of a soldier, Part 3 of 6

This is an interview with Janine, who tells the story of her son Johnny who joined the U.S. Army. Janine’s son was deployed to Iraq in 2007 and after that he was sent to serve in Afghanistan. Janine and her son Johnny were very close and used to talk over the phone every day. One day Johnny came back home during his vacation, but Janine noticed that Johnny was very different because he had a terrible experience. Janine says that after that experience her son was medically retired with severe PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Johnny was treated with a lot of drugs and medications for years to cope with pain and suffering. Unfortunately, he took his life in 2013. This interview is about family values, love, friendship, relationships, and about fear and hope. Janine prays for her son every day, and she has sought help from support groups. After her son’s suicide, Janine created a foundation to help people like her son and other at-risk veterans.