By Tim Stevens
Nathan Summers is an adult male of above average physical fitness. Although he suffers from a techno organic virus that appears to be in remission and his physical state is currently stable. He is a self-identified mutant who claims he is from the future. A cursory analysis of Summers' background would seem to reinforce this statement as respected individuals like Professor
Charles Xavier have made similar statements.
Summers is better known as the high profile mutant
Cable who has been known for both acts of violence and the establishment of a utopia called Providence. Currently, he resides in a place called New Liberty in a possible future where he is protecting a mutant child called Hope that many within the community have labeled the messiah based on her being born after the seeming end of the mutant gene. It is from here that the client made contact via a technology that the writer is admittedly unfamiliar with.
The client's life has consistently been one of strife and chaos. Almost immediately embroiled in a battle between the mutant terrorists known as
Mister Sinister and
Apocalypse as a pawn upon his birth, Summers was snatched from his native timeline and deposited on an alternate future Earth. There he was raised by his half sister and the essences of his father—Scott Summers aka
Cyclops—and his mother's clone—
Jean Grey—until he was 12 years old. This would be, in retrospect, the quietest, most stable part of his life.
In his teens, he defeated Apocalypse and prepared for a "normal" life with the Askani clan. Unfortunately, this peace was short-lived and several Askani were killed in subsequent attacks. This set off a string of events that led to further bloodshed. Eventually, when the dust settled, the client's wife had been killed and his child, Tyler, kidnapped and turned against hi—he was ultimately forced to shoot his own son to save another loved one.
It was at this time that the client traveled to our world and timeline, bringing more violence in his wake. He has since dwelled here, for the most part, and struggled to truly find his place in the mutant rights movement. At times he has embraced a violent, proactive approach. At others, he has
embraced the idea of offering a haven to the oppressed and striving for a better world based on words and inspiration.
It is the opinion of this writer that the client has never had a chance to develop a "true" personality and that this lack of a singular response to stress and challenges is the result. By immersing himself in clash after clash, Summers has defined himself only by his struggles and, in essence, is only able to be interpersonally effective when engaged in conflict.
While the client, incredibly, does not show signs of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or Acute Stress Disorder, it is the opinion of this writer that, given his current level of stress, it is only a matter of time. If he does not take the time to develop himself and his interpersonal relationships beyond the next conflict or next armed intervention, it is unlikely that he will continue to be able to bear the mental burden his activities place upon him.
Similarly, it is unlikely he will be able to achieve his goal of being a mutant spokesperson on par with the likes of Professor Xavier and his father if he is unable to understand himself. Until he resolves that internal conflict, he will remain a marginalized figure in the movement. This is being demonstrated currently as many are questioning his ability to protect Hope and, even if he is successful, if he is necessarily the one who should be having influence over her.
The writer expressed these concerns to the client and encouraged him to take the time to develop himself beyond conflict. The client agreed to consider it and was amenable to a second appointment.
On June 10, Nathan Summers will meet with Doctors Duane Swierczynski and Ariel Olivetti. Look for information about this appointment in the file marked CABLE #15
Tim Stevens is a Mental Health Supervisor currently pursuing his Psy D who has experience in working with individuals living with PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder.
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