AN Air Force corporal who battled debilitating post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for eight years has conquered his fear of terrorists by confiding in an imam at an Islamic mosque.
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Corporal Andrew Summers will on Monday set out from Williamtown RAAF base – wearing a 40-kilogram combat pack – to walk to Sydney to raise awareness for PTSD.
When the Iraq and Afghanistan veteran planned the 200 kilometre trek to Martin Place, it was to overcome terror through sheer mental and physical force.
“I’d been living in fear since the siege and the country upped the terrorism alert,’’ the Port Stephens father of two said. ‘‘Just travelling from [home] to base, I was looking for road-side bombs.”
But, since a chat with an Islamic spiritual leader put his fears into perspective, it has become a walk of victory and freedom that he hopes will inspire others.
“For the first time in eight years of suffering nightmares, my anxiety went to complete-and-utter zero after talking to him,’’ the RAAF avionics technician and former inventory soldier said.
‘‘My plan was to face my fear and build up the courage to cross the [Sydney Harbour] bridge. Now, I will sit and enjoy the view ... then head for Martin Place to the Lindt Cafe. Pay my respects to the victims of the siege and go in there to get a hot chocolate.’’
Although he was ‘‘scared to bits for his safety’’ to go to Auburn Gallipoli Mosque, Corporal Summers said he was driven to take responsibility for thoughts and fears he suspected were based on ‘‘ignorance and second hand information’’.
‘‘I told him my fears and said, ‘I’m here to find out the truth’. I looked him in my eye and asked if he could forgive me for my ignorance.’’
‘‘The imam gave me a big hug. He said, ‘that took a lot of courage knowing how scared you were of coming in here and what you have been through.’’
Corporal Summers has been an outspoken advocate for recognition of post traumatic stress in Defence since he was diagnosed in 2012 after he attempted suicide.
In 2014, he trudged through 40 kilometres of sand at Manly Beach dressed in combat kit to honour the 40 Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
In both Iraq and Afghanistan, Corporal Summers played the bagpipes at dozens of ramp ceremonies.
In 2008, he played for two to three fallen Australian and allied comrades every week through July, August, September and October.
“I knew I’d hit the mark when I could hear weeping on the tarmac but, ironically, I could never cry.
‘‘It was so ingrained in me that soldiers are warriors who don’t cry ... I would just feel numb and push it aside and get on with the job.’’