Bundeswehr veteran Annika: From Afghanistan to love love in Badrina

Bundeswehr veteran Annika: From Afghanistan to love love in Badrina

in the small village of Badrina in Saxony, where the calm is only interrupted by excited dog bark and waddling geese, Annika Schröder runs a small farm. This unexpectedness becomes all the more clear when you consider that it is one of the highly decorated soldiers of the Bundeswehr. With her long dreadlocks and the apron, she does not remind you of the uniforms she once wore. Delicate rabbits, happy pigs and chickens are part of her everyday work, which helps her fight the shadows of her war experiences.

The 39-year-old, who did a duty as an emergency medic, has been affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTBS) for years, which she attributes to her time in Afghanistan. In the middle of one of the most brutal fire battles, she was wounded, but decided to help comrades, and that has had a lasting impact on her life since then. Despite her traumatic experiences, Annika is determined to overcome her fears and to stay part of society.

animals are grateful

Animals and the cultivation of plants offer Annika the structure and everyday life that it urgently needs. The activities on the farm not only give her a meaning, but also help her to feel joy, which was difficult for a long time. "The animals have an amazing effect for me," says Annika with a smile while stroking a rabbit. "They make me feel again and help me to better survive the dark winter days."

Langing fears Annika often torture, but working with animals reflects a kind of healing. "The connection to you shows me that I am not alone and that there is a way back," she notes. She also noticed her improvement from the fact that her depressive episodes became less common. The feeling of loneliness and isolation is not hidden, especially the loss of camaraderie from their military period.

In the Bundeswehr there is something

A lot has changed in the Bundeswehr in recent years. The knowledge of PTBs and their treatment has improved considerably. More is done for the follow -up of missions, while the Bundestag recently passed a new soldier compensation law. This law is intended to increase financial support for health -damaged soldiers. It is emphasized that bundling help offers, for example in the form of case management, can help support PTSD affected better.

Despite this progress, Annika still has to fight with the feeling of not being taken seriously. She criticizes that veterans often do not experience the appreciation that they are entitled to. "In the United States, I experienced how soldiers are honored for their service. Something that I often lack in Germany," she says and refers to differentiation in society.

Markus Burghard, the division manager in the association BUND of German operational veterans, confirms Annika’s sensations. Many veterans fight silently with the aftermath of their missions and often do not look for help. "Shame hinders many to use therapy because they think it is a sign of weakness," explains Burghard. Awareness of this problem grows and the initiatives are increasing.

How important it is to promote the exchange between veterans, it becomes clear if one focuses on Annika's wish for camaraderie in the boy. "I often feel isolated, because outsiders can hardly deal with my experience," she says. It is all the more important that Annika's farm serves as a place of encounter where other veterans can exchange ideas.

It remains to be seen how the social perception of veterans will develop in the future. Annika hopes for greater acceptance of her experiences and more empathy in our society. A little step in the right direction while continuing to seek her own way to a healing life. "I want people to see how important it is to appreciate soldiers Cur, even after their return from the use," she concludes with a thoughtful look.

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