LUFKIN, Texas — When Troy Seale needs to get away, his escape is on his front porch in Lufkin, strumming notes on his five string guitar. He uses music as a source of therapy to guide his pain.
“The music (part of it) – it is good therapy for him,” his father Bill Seale said.
During a mission, Troy Seale’s convoy was nearly attacked by Afghan soldiers. And afterward, he was never the same.
“I said, ‘Troy, are you okay?’ He said, ‘yeah, dad.’ And I said, ‘what scared you?,’” Bill Seale said. And he said, ‘yeah, dad, it scared the hell out, I mean and I seen God.’”
Troy Seale was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and underwent various medical tests but psychologists couldn't pinpoint the issue.
Now, one of the biggest hurdles he faces is communication, including holding a conversation.
Doctors determined he was under the best care of his family, and they decided to take him on trips in hopes of regaining some independence.
“It's just like your computer. If you sit down and you have a hack or something like that, or blink and that information is gone, and you got to reprogram everything,” Bill Seale said.
During a trip to Canada where the father and son were snowed in a campsite for three days, it finally clicked.
Troy picked up a guitar with encouragement from his dad and started strumming a few notes – something he did frequently as a kid.
Bill Seale said he once lost faith in God, but knew He was there that day.
“He stepped in that RV that day. He put his hand right there (and) said, ‘This is how we're going to do this,’ and our lives have gotten better and better and better ever since,” Bill Seale said.
The father said music has become a significant part of his son’s recovery process. He shares his thoughts through songs by country music legends Hank Williams and Johnny Cash.
Now, Troy Seale and his father share their story and support veteran organizations like the VFW and American Legion.
They've traveled all over Texas and the United States as part of “T-Roy Show,” meeting various celebrities along the way.
“Every veteran has a story. Take time and listen to them. Listen to them because if it wasn't for these people, we would not have a country,” Bill Seale said.
Now, Troy Seale’s road to recovery is day by day, and he’s slowly getting more comfortable speaking and gaining independence.
“It doesn't matter to the good Lord what your problem is,” Bill Seale said. “But if you listen real close, He'll tell you what to do in your particular situation. And if you'll follow Him, He'll lead the way.”
CBS19 is available live and on-demand on your favorite TV streaming device, anytime from anywhere in the U.S.
The free CBS19+ app for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and smart TV devices features a 24/7 stream with the latest from CBS19.
In addition to the live stream, watch the latest from CBS19 on-demand, along with additional programming from our partners at TEGNA (like Verify, "Murder at My Door" and "In the News") and Locked On Sports, plus special collections from CBS19 like Under the Lights, Hooked on East Texas and CBS19 Originals.
DOWNLOAD ON ROKU
Add the free CBS19 channel by searching for CBS19 East Texas News in the Roku Channel Store on your device, or add the CBS19+ Roku channel using this link.
DOWNLOAD ON FIRE TV
Search for the free CBS19+ app in the Amazon App Store directly on your Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, or add the CBS19+ Fire TV app using this link.
DOWNLOAD ON APPLE TV
Learn more about the free CBS19+ app in the Apple TV App Store and download directly from your Apple TV device.
DOWNLOAD ON YOUR SMART TV
The CBS19+ app is also now available directly on "smart" or "connected" televisions made by Samsung, LG and Philips, as well as televisions with Android TV. Search for CBS19 East Texas News in your television's app store to add CBS19+.
OTHER FREE WAYS TO WATCH
The CBS19+ 24/7 stream can be viewed on any desktop or mobile web browser anytime on the Watch page here on cbs19.tv.