Military man David “Woody” Gulbin’s story is the heartbreaking reality of the ripple effect of war on the family of veterans.
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Used to living in a war zone Mr Gulbin is trained to be on high alert. On his first deployment carrying a rifle and wearing shotgun on his belt while getting his haircut became the new normal. Walking to the supermarket armed and in a group was a way of life.
“We get trained (to fight) for our jobs. We go out and see thing and do things that you don’t see at home,” Mr Gulbin said.
“You’re always on high alert, you don’t get to switch off.”
Mr Gulbin served in Malaysia and East Timor. His role was mainly peace keeping.
“It was very different to my mates who served in Iraq or Afghanistan.”
The memories that haunt Mr Gulbin, who lives every day with PTSD, are those of young children.
“(You notice the difference) the small things we take for granted, like proper housing, water and governments – they don’t have,” Mr Gulbin said.
Mr Gulbin can’t help but think of his own children. He sees the trauma inflicted on those living abroad and thinks – what if this happened to his family?
“I found it quite hard, coming back, I had very young kids and seeing children the same age in appalling conditions coming up to me and asking for $1 to go to school, asking for clean water,” Mr Gulbin said.
“You go out there and you’re always carrying a firearm, carrying ammunition. You’re in a barbershop with a rifle in one hand and a pistol on your belt. You come home and you don’t feel safe, you don’t handle loud noise, you can’t handle crowds.”
Cheyenne is only 10 years old, but already, she knows the trauma of war. Mr Gulbin says his experiences of trauma have undoubtedly impacted his wife and children.
“It’s affected my kids, my family, I haven’t been the same. It affects us all,” Mr Gulbin said.
“It’s especially hard because I chose my job but my family didn’t ask for this.”
Cheyenne and brother Nash were proud to march alongside their dad.
“It’s good to do this, it’s special to us and it’s special to dad. Because it (PTSD) does affect all of us,” Cheyenne said.
Mr Gulbin said the united front shown by military personnel and emergency services workers gave him the courage to share his battle.
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