Seven Steps to Hell and Back [Paperback] Wiggins, Frank E and Cavalier, Etta

The story of a combat veteran's DEATH WISH journey and how he struggled to survive in a civilian world. Go back in time with Frank E. Wiggins to the cold war while he was stationed in Germany during 1958 to 1959. Frank had completed seven missions which involved clearing mine fields between the West and East Germany border. He was only eighteen years old; he followed orders to the best of his ability and at first he had no idea he was participating in top secret, covert operations. The events of his seventh mission solidified his decision to refuse to participate in any more of these operations. To this day, Frank is still reliving trauma that climaxed with his seventh mission. He continues to have nightmares, flashbacks, and triggers that only a combat veteran would understand. Frank led a nomadic and restless life after the military. He had a Death Wish and had No Fear. This journey led him to battle gang infested parks in Los Angeles, California and the Projects in Santa Fe, New Mexico, constantly putting his life in danger.

FRANK E. WIGGINS Frank Wiggins is a Cold War era veteran who has suffered from PTSD since his separation from the military in 1960. He considers himself very lucky to have survived many years of a destructive lifestyle. Since a young age, he discovered he had a photographic memory, and in the military, he became an exceptionally well trained soldier. Frank is now in his seventies and resides in New Mexico. His story is unique, but at the same time, mirrors the story of so many veterans who suffer from PTSD. In spite of everything, Frank possesses a great sense of humor and is driven by a desire to help other veterans with PTSD tell their story; he feels this is necessary for their healing. ETTA CAVALIER, M.A., GCDF Etta Cavalier is the coauthor and editor of "Seven Steps to Hell and Back." She is a counselor, educator, and artist. Etta is married to a veteran who also suffers from PTSD. Her husband and Frank Wiggins met at a year-long PTSD Treatment Program in 1995 and their friendship has become one of brothers. It was through this association that Etta became involved in writing this book.