Rising to the challenge

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is anxiety and depression that often drives people to commit suicide. It is often seen in former military personnel, but can affect almost anyone who has been through a traumatic experience.

Recently, across the country, a challenge was issued for people to do 25 push-ups for 25 days and post their video on social networks to raise awareness for PTSD.

The challenge was taken up by everyday Joes, athletes, first responders, firefighters, law enforcement and more, including several locals, including Dood Jaussaud, who took the challenge to new heights – literally.

Jaussaud made not just local news, but national news when he decided to do his pushups 60-feet in the air on a platform suspended from a crane.

"When I began this challenge my goal from the start was to be as unique as possible," he said. "I sat down the first night and wrote down as many ideas as I could think of on a note pad.

"As I was doing so it hit me how mind blowing it would be to everyone if I went a little further by going up on the crane some how. I believed it would not only be a challenge for myself, not being one for heights, but also how much I felt it could mean to our community and the individuals I represent."

Jaussaud works for the Hot Springs County Sheriff's Department, so stepping up to the challenge is also in support for those officers he works with.

"I figured by doing such a daring event I would find it in our local newspaper, but never did I imagine this challenge would express itself across local and national news," he said. I had posed the video late that night due to technical issues and by early morning had already received messages from news reporters out of state.

"At first I believed it was just some little article writers looking for a story, but when they sent me the link and I saw all the work they were doing I was shocked. I was proud of this accomplishment, but I was more proud of all the hard work and teamwork that had happened to make it possible so last minute.

"My sister, Destany Jaussaud, doesn't make it to Thermopolis very often and my biggest request was she would be able to be there before she had to leave for home that Sunday."

According to psychiatry.org, 3.5 percent of U.S. adults are diagnosed every year. That means one in 11 people will be diagnosed in their lifetime, and women are twice as likely to be diagnosed.

Although most know the condition as PTSD, soldiers coming home from WWI, WWII and others called it "shell shock" or "combat fatigue".

When asked his thoughts on PTSD, Jaussaud had this to say, "I believe bringing awareness to PTSD is crucial, especially in the world we live in today. Not many recognize the traumatizing events that occur every day though a first responder's career. If it wasn't for my employer, Sheriff Jerimie Kraushaar and Sgt. Amanda Cornwell, I would have never had the opportunity to add my uniqueness to this challenge, and I am thankful for the opportunity for such a meaningful and fun adventure it has become."

Last week, Jaussaud had another idea that would include even more people in the challenge.

"After all the support I had received from doing the pushups in the air, it made me remember how much of an amazing community we live in," he said. "We are very special to live in Thermopolis and have the people we do. No one could as for anything more.

"But with this continuous support I wanted to give the town the opportunity to not only show their support through social media, but to show it through their efforts and commitment as well."

To that end, Jaussaud put out the word for a community challenge to be held in the state park that everyone was invited to. Fire trucks, ambulances and police and sheriff's department vehicles were on hand as well as dozens of folks either participating in the challenge or holding flags while the others took to the ground to do their push ups.

"I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the community turnout for the 25 for 25 Challenge," he said. "I thank all who put forth the effort to attend and the ones who social distanced, but supported us from home."