Deeds not Words: Benjamin’s Story

Hi my name is Benjamin Dziobek. I was a Gunnersmate 2^{nd (SW)} and served in the United States Navy. I was deployed twice for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. My carrier strike group, the John F. Kennedy Battle Group was the only group already out at sea on 9/11 when our country was attacked. We provided direct support to New York City on this tragic day.

Getting out of the services came with its challenges. I self-medicated during deployments and after I was discharged to deal with the trauma. In May of 2008, I asked God for help and made a decision to change my life. This May I will celebrate 18 years of sobriety.

The past 18 years have been a challenge dealing with trauma.  I am not only a military veteran, but former Firefighter, Emergency Care Attendant on a Paramedic Ambulance, and law enforcement as well on the corrections side working with at risk youth.

On my journey dealing with post traumatic stress symptoms has been a huge challenge. In 2023 on top of dealing with PTSD I developed a neurological condition that left me bedridden for the better part of 2 ½ years facing death. I went through 19 different hospitals before I found Mayo Clinic and made the decision to relocate down to Minnesota from Alaska.

I am very active in bettering myself physically, spiritually, and being of maximum service to God and others. Recently I experienced an extreme exacerbation with my symptoms that left me barely able to function and enjoy life.  One of the treatments that helps with functioning is the Stellate Ganglion Block or SGB performed by Dr. Eugene Lipov in Chicago Illinois.

Words will never be able to articulate how grateful I am. It once again saved my life.

I had no idea how I was going to afford the trip and that’s when Jeanette with America Warrior Partnership and her staff stepped in. Words will never be able to articulate how grateful I am. It once again saved my life. I am fully functional now, able to enjoy life and help other trauma survivors doing peer support. Thank you so much to all the donors that made this possible in a time of need. Blessings to you all.

-Ben

Thanks to PureTalk and its Deeds Not Words initiative, Ben was able to travel and access the treatment he needed to regain his independence.

Deeds Not Words is a collaborative initiative between PureTalk and America’s Warrior Partnership, dedicated to providing tangible support to veterans in need. Through PureTalk’s continued commitment, veterans like Ben can access help through the AWP Network when they need it most. 

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