Book By laura Wiktorek

What I Wish I Had Known

This story exams the psychological injuries my son sustained during his military service-the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) signs he was in severe distress.

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Meet The Author

Laura Wiktorek

Laura has a story no mother wants to tell, yet it needs to be heard. I have a responsibility to “tell our story.” I’ll, speak out for those veterans suffering in silence like my son Michael. I’ll be a voice for those struggling with PTSD.

I was excited, downright elated, to have Michael home from war, fully intact, safe and sound. That mindset was a vital mistake… no man or women returns from war unscathed.
My passion is fueled by pain. Twenty-two Veterans die daily by suicide; it’s a heartbreaking statistic that is unbearable and unacceptable. Twenty-two never you…not my Michael, I’d bet my life and savings on that! Please keep sharing our story, pass it on… awareness is essential for change!

Chapter Recap

CHAPTER 1: INSTINTS

CHAPTER 2: GROWING UP QUICK

CHAPTER 3 RECRUITED

CHAPTER 4: 9/11

CHAPTER 5: GOING ON WITH LIFE – OR TRYING TO

CHAPTER 6: ENGAGED – AND DISENGAGED

CHAPTER 7: SILENT CRIES FOR HELP

A Veteran’s Prayer Dedicated to my son, Sgt Michael Christopher Mead

Now I lay me down to sleep….
A veteran’s prayer is what I keep
For post-traumatic stress relief.
Swollen eyes from tears I’ve cried
Always know you brought me pride
In more ways you’ll ever know
In more ways, I could show.
PTSD can come and go
When it hits, we’ll never know!
It takes twenty-two lives per day
One almost each hour to my dismay.
Serving your country, oh so well
Despite the fact that war is hell.
A veteran’s world we’ll never know
All the dark places you must go.
Memories of a war not left behind
Because they sit right in your mind.
So sorry that I missed the signs.
No words of wisdom did occur
To that you had to endure,
Those lost at war are far too many
Those lost at home even more plenty!
I can only hope you died not in vain,
but to help others who carry this pain.