[ [link removed] ]Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress




Earlier this year, [ [link removed] ]Alexandria joined with Congressman Jason Crow, a
combat veteran, on CBS to tell their stories of how they experienced the
events of January 6.

And today on Veterans Day, as we thank each of our nation’s veterans,
active service members, and their families, we want to share these stories
with you again in an effort to support all survivors and deconstruct the
stigma around trauma.

309 days ago, our nation’s Capitol came under attack. That was the big
story, and inside that big story lies thousands of individual accounts,
just as valid and important as the other.

Congressman Jason Crow shared that his experience of the events brought
back memories of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, while Alexandria shared
that she experienced the events through the lens of being a survivor of
sexual assault. They both agreed that there’s a legacy to trauma, and that
it compounds. Here’s what Congressman Crow had to say:

“What is important to understand about trauma, whether it’s combat trauma
or sexual assault trauma, is that it is outside the realm of normal human
experience. And everybody is impacted, whether they know it or not. And
they’re impacted in different ways, on different timelines. And we are not
good as a society with dealing with trauma.

One of the biggest problems is the stigma society puts on survivors. And
it prevents survivors from coming forward and getting the help they need.
And it's killing people. We have over 20 veterans a day that die by
suicide because of the stigma that prevents them from getting help. And
other survivors deal with that stigma too. And it has to stop.

I never imagined that I would be put back in that scenario of being an
Army Ranger in Iraq and Afghanistan where I would feel fearful for my life
or having to fight for my life, but that’s what happened on January 6.”

Telling our stories, especially right after the event transpired, is an
important part of healing. And this applies to all survivors. Telling your
story allows you to move through the emotions, revisit and process that
fear, and move past it.

Alexandria decided to share her story about surviving sexual assault,
because when survivors walk into a room they bring their whole selves.
When we have new experiences, we respond and experience them with the
entirety of our life story. And her experience with sexual assault
informed her experience on January 6.

Alexandria and Congressman Crow shared their stories because they want to
start to destigmatize trauma and getting help. When survivors have their
experiences minimized, it’s extremely damaging. So many survivors around
the country don’t get the help they need because they internalize people
telling them that their trauma isn’t “big enough”.

If you are a survivor of trauma, need help and have a story to tell,
please reach out. [ [link removed] ]The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available
24/7 to help you access help right now: 800-273-8255

As we have seen time and time again, the trauma of service impacts every
veteran differently, and we must strengthen the support we offer to those
who have committed their heroism to defending our country.

Alexandria is committed to improving the care we provide for those who
have served. This year, Alexandria and Democrats in Congress fought for
billions of dollars in funding for our veterans: $2.2 billion for
homelessness prevention programs, including support for veterans
reentering the workforce; $2.2 billion for expanded services at VA
facilities; and $97.6 billion for boosts to veterans healthcare, including
opioid abuse and suicide prevention programs.

We can, and must, continue this work by increasing funding for the VA,
improving access to mental health resources, and fighting for the women
and gender-nonconforming service members who face healthcare
discrimination.

On all days, but especially today, we thank all military members and their
families for their service.

Team AOC


 

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