David Gordy, PTSD Authority, to Speak in Lecture Series
JONESBORO – David Gordy, director of the PTSD Foundation of America, Arkansas chapter, will be the next speaker in the 2016-17 Lecture-Concert Series at Arkansas State University. He will address to students, faculty and the public on Thursday, Sept. 29.
His midday presentation will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the west facade of the Humanities and Social Sciences Building. In case of inclement weather, the alternate location is the HSS auditorium, room 1028. Everyone is welcome; admission is free.
Gordy, who lives in Jonesboro, will speak on the topic of "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)," which affects many veterans. Gordy is a U.S. Army combat veteran who was stationed in Iraq in 2004 and 2005. After returning, he battled addiction and was later diagnosed with PTSD.
In 2015, after years of therapy to manage the disorder, Gordy and fellow Jonesboro native Gary Miranda organized a PTSD support group for veterans in the Jonesboro area. The group meets regularly and averages about six-seven veterans each night.
Members of the PTSD Foundation of America, Arkansas chapter, will be on hand to tell their stories, describe how PTSD has affected their lives, and offer suggestions as to what people can do to help veterans manage.
"This presentation is about learning what we can all do for our vets who return from combat with PTSD. It will be an open and honest lecture from David Gordy, who has suffered from PTSD and found ways to cope," explained Dr. Tim Crist, chair of the Lecture-Concert Committee.
Crist invites the public to attend and join in thanking veterans for their many sacrifices, listening to their stories, and learning about what we all can do to assist them in finding their way back home.
The Lecture-Concert Series serves Arkansas State and the surrounding communities by bringing notable guest speakers and performers of diverse backgrounds and wide appeal to the campus.
For more details about the series, interested individuals may visit the Lecture-concert Series website, http://www.AState.edu/lectureconcert, or contact Crist, tcrist@astate.edu, (870) 972‑2094.
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