Mansir Patis, a 52-year-old U.S. Veteran who formally serve in the U.S. Army for 20 years. He is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and medically retired in 2016. He is currently attending the University of Guam, focusing as an art major.

During Patis’s time in the military, he was assigned to various parts of the world such as the Middle East and other places he could not mention. According to him, it was either his time on the battlefield or his adventures that led him to develop PTSD and be relieved from duty. Every day has been a challenge for Mansir, as he said that war still haunts him after his service.

For example, when he watches films, he said that he finds watching action movies were visualized with its violent content causes his memories from war to recur. Going back to school was difficult for him to adjust as a daily routine. Routines include attending classes, driving to school, remember his parking or anything he does for the school.

Despite the struggles, he said that he is able mentally to fight it by joining the fine arts program.

“Since I was diagnosed with PTSD, my number one coping skills that time was pretty much arts, painting, drawing and all kind that of stuff, while I was in the wounded warrior’s hospital,” Patis said. “Image is kind of… a medicine to me.”

When he sees a good painting, it reminds him of what he did in class. The school of fine arts has made him change the way he thinks. He stops to take a good look at whatever comes his way such as architecture, a road or anything he sees as art.

“Everything in this world, on this planet is art. If something has a form, a type of form, that’s art,” he said.      

His love for art has motivated him to stay in the art program. His fellow classmates and professors say that he loves to learn and explore different styles of art to improve his artistic skills and that he is able to stay positive and learn.