Blog #5

In the style of Becky Perlow, CNN
The ice cream, the homeless, and the Girl Scout

Last Friday was just another normal day for Brittney Sheena. She had just finished lacrosse practice and decided to make her daily trip to the local Marble Slab.

She walked into the parlor, decisions made, cash ready. She was in a particularly good mood that day after her various goals during practice. She felt like she deserved more than just the ordinary- an ice cream sundae.

Brittney sat in her usual seat by the window. She looked out the window at the sunset, as she did every time. This time, however, the scene had changed. Outside, sitting on the curb, was a particular man, wearing disheveled clothes and carrying a torn backpack. She observed him, the way he would stare at the same sunset.
Brittney, for some reason, felt rather uncomfortable and compulsive. She got up, threw away her trash, and walked out the door, heading toward her car. As she unlocked her car, she looked back at the man.

"I introduced myself," Sheena said. "I just felt like I could. There was a look in his eye."

Brittney and Roger walked inside and had a two hour conversation over ice cream. She learned that he had been a veteran from the Vietnam War. Roger had PTSD, a disorder derived from traumatic experiences.

University of Pennsylvania psychology professor Sandra McPherson, M.D. explained that Roger is actually a patient at the VA Center in Houston.

"Doctors were shocked when they heard Brittney got a word out of him," McPherson said. "Roger's PTSD has kept him silent the past 19 years. Something in Brittney triggered this releasing action."

Roger, who after that conversation, has since sought therapy for continual growth.

"I am working on it," Roger said. "And Brittney helped me crack it open. I thank her for that... and the ice cream."

Cari Bonilla
Staff Writer