My Journey Through Work-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
By Tami Reynolds and Lisa Bukoski
Where will you find about 50 doctors, paramedics, hunters, a dog groomer, a recent immigrant from the Middle East and numerous Manitoba Writers’ Guild folks, along with delicious empanadas and advice on how to live life fully or eat a pineapple? At Philip Habacon’s release of his memoir, 55 Things Learned at 55, of course.
His memoir, based on journal entries, details his life lessons from growing up in the Philippines, teaching scuba diving in Thailand, returning to school at 41 to become a paramedic after immigrating to Canada, and travelling around the world.
Philip identifies 55 life lessons. These lessons helped him cope with racial discrimination and his ongoing battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which was caused by his work as an Intermediate Care Paramedic. The lessons served as transformative tools that guided him through his darkest times.
In his epilogue, he states, “One thing I’ve learned in EMS is that hell surely exists! … Similarly, where there is hell, there is also heaven on earth. These metaphors of ‘hell’ represent the PTSD effects from dealing with the aftermath of real-life carnage, and ‘heaven’ symbolizes the joys of scuba diving for the emotional journey described in the memoir.
He mentions hell, including recurring dreams of headless people. Philip wrote, “In Asia, what I saw without heads were animals; in Canada, it’s people.”
Philip, a Master Scuba Diver Trainer, also recognizes moments of heaven through exceptional scuba-diving adventures. He explored vibrant coral reefs full of fish in Thailand, swam alongside giant mantas, witnessed the “Sea of Stars” (which looks like glowing blue butterflies during a night dive) in the Maldives, and explored WWII Japanese battleship wrecks in the Philippines.
After Jessica Smithies, the book launch host for Manitoba Writers’ Guild, read an excerpt from his book at his request, Philip said his most important lesson was “memento mori.” He explained that this ancient philosophical concept — “remember you will die” — reminds you to live life fully and do what you love, as long as it doesn’t harm yourself or others. Despite the challenges, his message to others is hopeful as he shared stories about Krinkle and Kenso, the family’s two Shih Tzu/Bichon Frise crosses, and about travelling with his wife, Lizette and their adult son, Hans.
The foreword to Philip’s book is written by Dr. Michele Matter, former EMS Medical Director, who notes that the most impactful message for her was his father’s words: “Life resembles eating a pineapple: If you begin with the sweet portion, you will end up bitter and disappointed. But if you start with the sour part, you will end on a sweet note and with a smile.”
Philip and Lizette displayed books essential to his journey, along with his own book, balloons, and a delightful spread of Merci chocolates, assorted Krispy Krème treats, tasty empanadas, and drinks. Lizette handed out tickets for three door prizes, and a photographer took photos with the author. Alas, there was no pineapple, but the launch celebrating Philip’s book about his “journey through work-related PTSD” ended with sweets and plenty of smiles. Philip’s second book “will … cover his fifth-sixth birthday, where he will return to the cobbled streets and bells of Milan.”
Philip’s memoir, published by FriesenPress, is available at Chapters-Polo Park, Indigo-Kenaston, Winnipeg public libraries, Indigo-Crowfoot in Calgary, and Indigo-Metrotown in Vancouver. You can also find it in over 50,000 online platforms, including FreisenPress, Amazon, Apple, Kobo and Google Play.