PTSD Awareness Event Provides Support for U.S. Military Veterans and Children with Craniofacial Anomalies
San Jose, California: Northern California-based Wrestling for Charity (WFC, www.wfcwrestling.com) along with Southern California’s Empire Wrestling Federation (EWF, http://empirewrestlingfederation.com) are proud to present the “Fighting for Acceptance” professional wrestling charity event, 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Broken Spoke Western Saloon, 370 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with a bell time of 5 p.m.
Tickets are $20 VIP ringside, $12 general admission, and $10 for Military and Senior admission. The event is open to the public, must be 21+ with a valid ID to enter The Broken Spoke featuring a full bar that includes one of the largest selections of brews, liquor, and bottle service, plus many non-alcoholic choices. Tickets may be purchased online at https://wfcwrestling.ticketleap.com/fighting-for-acceptance
This unique event celebrates Craniofacial Acceptance Month (September), which is a time for people with facial differences and craniofacial anomalies to celebrate their appearances and help widen the circle of acceptance for children and adults with facial differences. One of the primary event functions is raising awareness and funds for the Children’s Craniofacial Association (CCA, www.ccakids.org). UCLA’s Pediatric Craniofacial Program at Mattel Children’s Hospital (UCLA, https://www.uclahealth.org/Mattel/Pediatric-Craniofacial-Program/Pages/default.aspx), AboutFace-USA (http://www.aboutface-usa.org), a military and veterans’ charity service organization empowering injured veterans and their families, are also beneficiaries and have joined forces with CCA in the Fight for Acceptance.
Craniofacial anomalies consist of physical birth defects resulting in abnormal structures and underdevelopment that affect the bones, muscles, and tissues of the face and skull. Approximately 20,000 children are born with a facial difference in the United States every year. In many cases, reconstructive surgeons can correct these problems early—often while the children are still infants. However, in some cases, facial reconstruction is not easy or even possible.
CCA, UCLA, and AboutFace-USA all deal with the realities of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, a challenging and often debilitating mental health disorder that occurs in individuals who have endured traumatic experiences. PTSD often centers on the theme of the abuse (e.g. war and combat, childhood bullying victimization, physical abuse, frequent and invasive surgeries, etc.) with research showing that 7.5 percent of people experience PTSD.
PTSD-related suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. Approximately 20 military veterans suffering from PTSD commit suicide every day, nearly one every hour. This event will raise further awareness and opportunity for those with craniofacial anomalies, disabled military veterans, and those who battle PTSD.
About The Organizations:
Children’s Craniofacial Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1989, serves over 20,000 families per year. CCA’s mission is empowering and giving hope to individuals and families affected by facial differences. www.ccakids.org
The Pediatric Craniofacial Program at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA is committed to providing compassionate and expert quality care to children who have congenital and craniofacial anomalies. This program has achieved national and international recognition and currently functions as one of the largest programs of its kind in the United States. https://www.uclahealth.org/Mattel/Pediatric-Craniofacial-Program/Pages/default.aspx
AboutFace-USA serves as a community resource for veterans; providing access to services and resources that support recovery, rehabilitation, and community reintegration. It is dedicated to empowering veterans and their families. http://www.aboutface-usa.org
