Retired 1st Sgt. Jonathan Sastre, 41, lives in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with his wife, Stephanie, and their three children, Blake, Bennett and Declan. Sastre was inspired to join the Army after seeing his family members serve. After 21 years of service, Sastre’s injuries and illness are affecting him and his family every day.
“I have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), TBI (traumatic brain injury) and hearing loss and ringing. I also had six surgeries. These things all happened while serving overseas on one of my five combat deployments.”
Sastre struggles to drive due to his TBI and how it affects his right eye. The motion of objects makes him dizzy and nauseous, causing Sastre to get sick almost daily. Additionally, Sastre underwent fusion back surgery and is constantly in pain.
“I’m afraid to hold my toddler at times because I don’t want to drop him from getting dizzy,” Sastre said. “My back doesn’t help me at all … [I] struggle to get out of bed and accomplish basic things a dad should be able to do with their kids.”…