Jimmy's Web Page

My name is Jimmy Waynick and I'm 64 years old and retired from the workforce.  I've actually retired twice, once from the U.S. Army and finally from the Savannah Fire Department.  I am also 70% disabled thru the Veterans Administration.  I live in Hinesville, Georgia which is southwest of Savannah.

My wife Judy and I have been married for 40 years.  Judy still works.  She is a Department of the Army Civilian, and is the Director of Human Resources, for Ft Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield here in Georgia.

We have two kids, James and Janet.  James is a Sergeant with the Georgia Department of Corrections and Janet is a Nurse, working in a doctor's office, and part time at a Nursing Home.  We have been blessed with 3 beautiful and smart granddaughters, who are involved in alot of sports, ranging from cheerleading, baseball, softball and soccer.

As with all marriages, ours has had it's ups and downs.  Unfortunately, because of my mental attitude, and my alcoholism, there were alot more downs than ups.  But thank the good Lord, that Judy saw something in me that she thought was worth saving and stoodby my side all these years.  I take full responsibility for the events of our lives, and thank God everyday for helping me get my act together, and start function as a sane and responsible man.

I have been undergoing treatment for alcoholism, heart disease and diabetes for years.  Early last year, I was disgnosed with moderate to severe Post Tramatic Stress Disorder, and am currently undergoing counseling for it.  I attend group counseling once a week, and one on one counseling as needed.  

Like so many of my Brothers, the stress of combat was buried deep inside me.That stress and memories of my days in Vietnam, reared it's ugly head in alot of different ways.  There was the anger, the depression, the inability to sleep, a lack of feeling, afraid to show emotions, alcohol/drug abuse, heart disease, diabetes, hypertention, etc.  I attempted to put the past behind me.  I wasn't able to come to terms with myself without the help of the Lord, and my family, which includes my "extended" family of Vietnam Veterans.  

Several of my Brothers saw that I had PTSD, and were finally able to get me to admit it to myself.  I owe them my life.  It wasn't until I was able to admit that I suffered from PTSD, and it was that mental disorder that had been causing the way I had behaved and suffered for so many years, that I decided to seek treatment.

I can see a huge difference in my personal behavior since I began treatment, and it has made a world of difference in my relationship with my wife, my kids and others that are part of my life.  I felt that I was in need of more help, and with the help of my counselor, I was admitted to the PTSD treatment program at the VA Hospital in Bay Pines FL, where I underwent 4 weeks of extensive treatment.  I feel that I got alot out of the program, and came away with alot of tools that I can use to better my life.

Without the help of the Lord, my family, my two best friends, Gerald Roberson and Tom Snyder, and many other Brothers, I would not be here today.