TIMOTHY M. CONNELLY:

A Minnesota Vietnam War veteran's papers documenting his experience with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The papers include photocopies of a manuscript journal and the original and photocopy of its typescript copy (1988, 1993), artwork, miscellaneous military documents (1968-1972), a presidential certificate, and a letter presenting a bonus payment granted to Minnesota Vietnam War veterans.

The journal (Oct. 31-Dec. 15, 1988) was kept by Tim Connelly during his participation in a seven week recovery program for PTSD at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Minneapolis, Minn.). It contains powerful expressions of his war experiences as a medic and clinical specialist with the Army's 24th Evacuation Hospital (1970-1971) and details of his participation in the PTSD recovery program. The seven pieces of artwork were completed as part of the occupational therapy component of the program.

Topics include descriptions of Connelly's hospital work in Vietnam, his fellow participants in the recovery program, and his ongoing struggle with the debilitating emotions and behaviors associated with the disorder including fear, guilt, anger, and isolation.

The original typescript copy of the journal has been placed in the reserve collection.

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Access Restrictions:

Access to and use of reserve materials requires the curator's permission.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Tim Connelly papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession Number: 15,215

Processing Information:

Processed by: Frank P. Hennessy, March 1998

Catalog ID number: 990017344710104294

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This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:

Art therapy -- Minnesota -- Minneapolis.

Post traumatic stress disorder -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Minnesota -- Minneapolis.

Veterans, Disabled -- Minnesota -- Minneapolis -- Rehabilitation.

Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Hospitals.

Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Psychological aspects.

Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Veterans -- Minnesota -- Minneapolis.

Organizations:

United States. Army. Evacuation Hospital, 24th.

Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Minneapolis, Minn.). Post Traumatic Stress Recovery Clinic.

Types of Documentation:

Diaries.

Works of art.

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