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Currently very few close friends are aware of what I have been through, however on further reflection, I realised many more should understand as much as possible as it is something that affects and sadly has defeated an indescribable number of people. Ironically raising awareness will be the only way to tackle such as personal battle of mine and many others.
Unbeknown to myself November 2017 was the beginning of an arduous suffering. PTSD. I was hit hard, in comparison to being hit by a sniper, just as unforeseen, however it brought with it a greater pain which, unlike a sniper, couldn’t be switched off by death.
Did I believe in PTSD? A rhetorical question, henceforth not requiring an answer, being a Royal Marine Commando with 14 years’ service under my belt and the life lessons which came with it had taught me that unless it was a physical injury, you had to man up, be a man. Unfortunately, how wrong was I. November 2017, I began a struggle with PTSD.
PTSD takes no prisoners, I lost everything, my partner, soon to be wife of 6 ½ years, any form of social life and was on the brink of losing my house and business. All because I had to man up. My blood boiled constantly, spending a year surviving on 3 hours sleep, enduring flashbacks and nightmares. I thought to myself I just need to man up? When in reality, I was at an all-time low and manning up was not going to cut it. Luckily for me, a close friend whose partner had PTSD recognised my symptoms. Bravery is a fickle thing, at this time in my life it took more bravery than I had ever imagined to simply confide in someone what I was experiencing. But as a result, that same day the Bridge Charity were in touch and took on my case. As mentioned this is a charity, receiving no government funding, no finance from any organisations, the people involved in the charity have full time jobs, dedicating what little spare time they have to look after veterans, be that on Christmas eve, Mother’s Day and on any other normal day which should be spent with their family. But these incredible people dedicate their time to treating veterans like myself.
Fast forwarding 6 months, after having therapy 2-3 times a week at no expense to myself, I am returning to the man I used to be, having discovered a new drive and the motivation to grow my business. Developing a more positive and innovative outlook on life I am able to see the results therapy has provided me with. My bloods not boiling any more, its still, everything is back to how it used to be, however with a greater knowledge than previously. I have gained a renewed strength, allowing me to realise that in fact I had achieved what had been to me the impossible, I had in fact manned up to PTSD, but with the help of those from the Bridge charity and close friends.
Over the past 6 months I have learnt a lot about PTSD. 3 people I served with didn’t receive the help I got and as a result took their own lives, I hadn’t comprehended the strength PTSD has and the control it gains over people mentally and physically. PTSD has the ability to put you in the darkest place you could possibly comprehend, so many of us served for our country and were ignored, irrelevant and tossed to the kerb after serving their time. Unfortunately, the after-care is non-existent. It only becomes so apparent when looking back on my struggle with PTSD how imperative their help is, how essential their time was towards my recovery. Otherwise who knows where I could be now.
I want to be able to give something back to this incredible charity, I am running The Polar Bear Marathon in Greenland this October, consisting of a Full Marathon one day followed by a half marathon the next day, as the name suggests I will be running over ice, snow and glaciers, in one of the harshest climates known to man. None of the donations raised will be used concerning the cost of the trip to Greenland, all proceeds will go directly to the charity. My brother has funded this trip for me to be able to raise this money, due to the fact PTSD affected my life majorly in many ways, one of which was that it severely damaged my business and as a result I have been faced with debt issues. Henceforth the entirety of the donations you make will go straight towards the charity to support the work that is so vital to veterans.
As mentioned the Bridge charity doesn’t receive any funding, therefore I am running this marathon to raise money to support a charity which has played a vital role on my road to recovery. This money will allow them to see more veterans like myself, therefore the more which is donated the more veterans will have access to their valuable time. But also raise awareness of personal battles which are kept so close to home, sometimes too close. I understand many will think this is a charity which should be funded by the Government, however plain and simple it isn’t. Many people don’t understand the deep disregard towards troops. Happy for us to go to war, whilst they remain in their homes, driving their nice cars, spending time with their family, with no idea of what we were experiencing at the same time. Only to come home to a country we defended to a hand shake and then out of the door.
For those who have taken the time to read my story I am very grateful for your time, but if you also feel you are experiencing similar problems to what I had, then please get in touch, I am happy to talk and listen. For any more information on the charity which I am raising money for visit The Bridge website, the link is as follows http://www.thebridgecharity.co.uk/ and if you wish to find out more about the Polar Marathon visit their website at https://polar-circle-marathon.com/ .
Finally, please donate whatever you can spare, it is going to a charity which saves the lives of those who defended yours.
Unbeknown to myself November 2017 was the beginning of an arduous suffering. PTSD. I was hit hard, in comparison to being hit by a sniper, just as unforeseen, however it brought with it a greater pain which, unlike a sniper, couldn’t be switched off by death.
Did I believe in PTSD? A rhetorical question, henceforth not requiring an answer, being a Royal Marine Commando with 14 years’ service under my belt and the life lessons which came with it had taught me that unless it was a physical injury, you had to man up, be a man. Unfortunately, how wrong was I. November 2017, I began a struggle with PTSD.
PTSD takes no prisoners, I lost everything, my partner, soon to be wife of 6 ½ years, any form of social life and was on the brink of losing my house and business. All because I had to man up. My blood boiled constantly, spending a year surviving on 3 hours sleep, enduring flashbacks and nightmares. I thought to myself I just need to man up? When in reality, I was at an all-time low and manning up was not going to cut it. Luckily for me, a close friend whose partner had PTSD recognised my symptoms. Bravery is a fickle thing, at this time in my life it took more bravery than I had ever imagined to simply confide in someone what I was experiencing. But as a result, that same day the Bridge Charity were in touch and took on my case. As mentioned this is a charity, receiving no government funding, no finance from any organisations, the people involved in the charity have full time jobs, dedicating what little spare time they have to look after veterans, be that on Christmas eve, Mother’s Day and on any other normal day which should be spent with their family. But these incredible people dedicate their time to treating veterans like myself.
Fast forwarding 6 months, after having therapy 2-3 times a week at no expense to myself, I am returning to the man I used to be, having discovered a new drive and the motivation to grow my business. Developing a more positive and innovative outlook on life I am able to see the results therapy has provided me with. My bloods not boiling any more, its still, everything is back to how it used to be, however with a greater knowledge than previously. I have gained a renewed strength, allowing me to realise that in fact I had achieved what had been to me the impossible, I had in fact manned up to PTSD, but with the help of those from the Bridge charity and close friends.
Over the past 6 months I have learnt a lot about PTSD. 3 people I served with didn’t receive the help I got and as a result took their own lives, I hadn’t comprehended the strength PTSD has and the control it gains over people mentally and physically. PTSD has the ability to put you in the darkest place you could possibly comprehend, so many of us served for our country and were ignored, irrelevant and tossed to the kerb after serving their time. Unfortunately, the after-care is non-existent. It only becomes so apparent when looking back on my struggle with PTSD how imperative their help is, how essential their time was towards my recovery. Otherwise who knows where I could be now.
I want to be able to give something back to this incredible charity, I am running The Polar Bear Marathon in Greenland this October, consisting of a Full Marathon one day followed by a half marathon the next day, as the name suggests I will be running over ice, snow and glaciers, in one of the harshest climates known to man. None of the donations raised will be used concerning the cost of the trip to Greenland, all proceeds will go directly to the charity. My brother has funded this trip for me to be able to raise this money, due to the fact PTSD affected my life majorly in many ways, one of which was that it severely damaged my business and as a result I have been faced with debt issues. Henceforth the entirety of the donations you make will go straight towards the charity to support the work that is so vital to veterans.
As mentioned the Bridge charity doesn’t receive any funding, therefore I am running this marathon to raise money to support a charity which has played a vital role on my road to recovery. This money will allow them to see more veterans like myself, therefore the more which is donated the more veterans will have access to their valuable time. But also raise awareness of personal battles which are kept so close to home, sometimes too close. I understand many will think this is a charity which should be funded by the Government, however plain and simple it isn’t. Many people don’t understand the deep disregard towards troops. Happy for us to go to war, whilst they remain in their homes, driving their nice cars, spending time with their family, with no idea of what we were experiencing at the same time. Only to come home to a country we defended to a hand shake and then out of the door.
For those who have taken the time to read my story I am very grateful for your time, but if you also feel you are experiencing similar problems to what I had, then please get in touch, I am happy to talk and listen. For any more information on the charity which I am raising money for visit The Bridge website, the link is as follows http://www.thebridgecharity.co.uk/ and if you wish to find out more about the Polar Marathon visit their website at https://polar-circle-marathon.com/ .
Finally, please donate whatever you can spare, it is going to a charity which saves the lives of those who defended yours.
Organizer
Twiggy Roberts
Organizer