AURORA, Colo. — Independence Day and fireworks go hand in hand.
But those colorful creations commemorating our nation's freedom can have a negative impact on the veterans who defended that freedom.
While most people prepare for the Fourth of July by buying up things that go boom, Marine combat veteran Amber Estes is stocking up on something much quieter.
“I think it’s mandatory you talk to your Legos while you play with them,” said Estes, while building a new creation.
The colorful little toy blocks help spark good memories for the combat veteran.
“I can use this to stay out of my own head to stop that cycle of reliving the trauma,” she said. “When I clip them together, it is actually fun when you start listening to them.”
It’s a sound that brings her relief while another makes her restless.
“I was in a parking lot and fireworks shot up,” said Estes, talking about the first time she slipped into a PTSD episode because of fireworks. “You could hear the streak and before the bang went off, I rolled underneath this pickup truck and I was screaming out, ‘Second squad, all heads up on me, swivel the 50, where’s that fire coming from.’”
Estes was in America, but her mind was in a war zone.
“It truly felt like I was back in the firefight,” said Estes. “That’s what that one-off firework does when you’re not prepared for the event. It’s different for each individual. For me, that firework becomes that helio. It becomes that gunshot that rattles across the fob. It becomes the memory of sitting there in tears next to the corpsmen as the blood of your friend is washing down the drain.”
She loves her nation, but dreads what comes with celebrating its independence.
“We know there are going to be fireworks displays on the fourth, but when you get that sporadic home displays going intermittently for weeks, it puts the veteran in this mindset of, ‘This isn’t a fireworks display. That’s incoming rocket. That’s an outgoing mortar.’”
Estes is getting ready using Legos as a form of escape from a sound she can’t predict.
“We’re not here to ruin the fun,” said Estes. “Just have some consideration and limit your celebrations to the actual day of July Fourth. Let’s not have this strung out two-weeklong celebration.”
Tips for veterans who are triggered by fireworks
- Remind yourself of where you are and what is happening.
- The VA said you can help reset the brain by repeating simple sentences like, “This is not a combat zone,” and, “These are only fireworks.”
- Lower your body temperature.
- According to the VA, changing the body’s temperature is also a good way to bring your mind back to reality. You can do this quickly by taking a cold shower, using an ice pack, or splashing water on your face.
- Do something you enjoy.
- The VA said planning self-care activities can boost your mood and offset the impact of stress triggers.
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