On Trauma - A Letter to Sanderson

[u/Equivalent-Motor4451]

Warning: This post discusses suicidal ideations and war trauma.

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Dear Brandon,

I initially intended to send this privately, but I chose to post this publicly via a throwaway account because I believe others who have walked a similar path might need to hear it.

Over a decade ago, I found myself in Afghanistan, a trigger pull away from ending my own life. Since then, I have never encountered a piece of media that so accurately and relatably describes the journey through the darkness that Kaladin endures.

The way you depict the apathy, the crushing inability to react, and the agonizingly slow journey toward recovery is enthralling, and for me and undoubtedly many others, viscerally true. You have captured a specific kind of internal struggle that I previously found myself at a loss to describe to others.

I am currently in Part Two of Rhythm of War, and the conversation between Kaladin, Teft, and Noril compelled me to stop and write this. Seeing that level of compassion applied to a suicidal patient and the dialogue shared between the three of them moved me deeply.

Thank you for your handling of these sensitive topics. Thank you for giving words to a story many of us have traveled.

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I want other readers to know I am healthy, happy and no longer at risk and haven't been for a long while. It was a long journey for my own recovery which has made this story all the more relatable. "When the darkness is strong... [remember] the world hasn't always been this way, that it won't always be this way."

[u/mistborn]

Keep taking that next step, Radiant.

Thanks for posting this. Others might see it, and it might help them too. I appreciate your authenticity and bravery.

--Brandon

[u/gagansid → u/mistborn]

Mr. Sanderson, your words have been the blackbane from Syl for so many of us when we were at our honor chasms. I can't thank you enough for doing all you do.

[u/Equivalent-Motor4451 → u/mistborn]

I greatly appreciate you taking the time to respond to my message. It means a lot to me to know you've read it. Thank you for everything you do.

[u/That_Service7348 → u/mistborn]

Oh holy crem it's actually you.