The military and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are often associated, but after an Army career that ended many years ago, an Andrews woman was just recently diagnosed with PTSD, but not for the reason you may think.

Lora Bray remembers her days in the Army as some of the most fun times of her life.

But then, a culmination of losses and tragedies took over her life, and she became very depressed.

Back in August she even attempted suicide but survived.

Now, she has a message for anyone going through depression.

But first, let’s rewind the clock to the day she tried taking her life:

“I didn't want anybody to know where I was at, so I went to a little farm road, took some pills, I just wanted to die,” Bray said.

While several Andrews residents assisted in looking for her, it was ranchers who eventually found Bray unconscious in her car.

She was then hospitalized and later diagnosed with PTSD.

“I’m still trying to understand—how can this happen to me now at 51?” she questioned.

But doctors told her it wasn’t her experiences in the Army so much as life itself that caused it.

“I lost my son when he was four years old, he was born with a brain tumor. And so it was just little things in life that just kept building up and building up,” she said, choking up.

Although Bray admits she still struggles with depression, it’s her faith, counseling, and spending time with her family and dog, Snappy, that keeps her going.

Bray says anyone struggling with depression is welcome to reach out to her.

Bray says one of the best ways to find happiness is to do new things. She’ll see the Nutcracker Wednesday night, which will be her first ballet ever.

She also plans to spend Christmas with her sister.

If you’re struggling or know of a veteran who could use some help, Halo for Freedom Warrior Foundation in Andrews is always available.

The organization helps wounded soldiers facing challenges during rehabilitation, reintegration to normal life, and the healing process.

