WASHINGTON (PRWEB) January 17, 2023

Studies show that 84% of veterans agree that the American public has "little awareness" of the challenges facing them and their families. Many veterans return home with physical and psychological wounds that take a massive toll on their caregivers and themselves while they attempt to navigate the services available.

In "Unfiltered: An Iraq Veteran and Family Coming Home Story," author Margaret Suman shares her son's 17-year struggle with both visible and invisible combat wounds along with the family's battle with a behemoth bureaucratic systems to get him the proper care.

Taking an unfiltered look beyond what most civilians are aware of, the book gives a behind-the-scenes account that's shared by millions of veterans and their families after war, and breaking a code of silence, with the hopes of bringing perspective and awareness, as a catalyst for change.

"The legacy of untreated wounds of war, including shock and trauma, are intergenerational," said Suman. "Any family who has experienced a loved one who has served in combat knows that. We must, however, acknowledge the damage and create viable and meaningful transition services that include the veteran, family, community and country to share the responsibility."

Suman is very transparent that this book is written with anonymity to preserve the privacy of those involved and that she has utilized a pen name, but each story is based on the reality her family experienced. These experiences are often echoed by veterans and the 5.5 million caregivers and families that love them. Veterans straddle multiple systems of care that can include the Department of Defense and Veteran Affairs (VA), along with civilian and community resources. For instance Veterans Affairs aid system is so difficult to navigate that little more than 50% of veterans ever sign up for their benefits. The author hopes her story brings to light the daily challenges heroes face upon their return home and that this awareness brings about a much-needed shift to tedious and outdated procesess.

"Sadly, it appears that war will never end," said Suman, "but how we deal with the aftermath must."

"Unfiltered: An Iraq Veteran and Family Coming Home Story" By Margaret Suman ISBN: 9798765231715 (softcover); 9798765231739 (hardcover); 9798765231722 (electronic) Available at Balboa Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author Margaret Suman (pen name) is a licensed mental health counselor with vast experiences in social services. Suman aims to dispel myths that permeate the civilian and military world about the impact of war with both clarity and compassion. To learn more, please visit http://www.unfilteredstory.net.

Read the full story at https://www.prweb.com/releases/memoir_details_a_wounded_soldiers_difficult_transition_back_to_civilian_life_and_the_extreme_impact_on_his_family/prweb19113282.htm