GUEST BOOK ARCHIVED MESSAGES

 

April 2002 - June 2002

 

Date:

03 Apr 2002

Time:

13:24:52

Remote User:

Comments

Cheers Mate

Glad to see I am not alone in this

Ex Welsh Guard Falklands 82

Date:

04 Apr 2002

Time:

00:53:28

Remote User:

Comments

I recently saw the programme on the Falklands and saw that there were signs of the symptoms of PTSD. I had the good luck to be part of a trial into the therapy for PTSD. Now I feel much better and more open towards others. I really felt at the time I had enough. But this therapy saved my life. Although it was very hard to go through, I was encouraged every week by my own feelings. I began to find a sense of worth and of my inner self. This disorder cost me a good job, a relationship and several years of my life.

The therapy was I would recall on tape the events that kept coming back in my dreams. this tape was then listened to over the course of a week and any other parts of the events recorded on paper.

These would then get put on tape at the next session. several months later my mind had processed the trauma and I had a chance to move on. This worked for me, but you have to admit to yourself that you have a problem. then get yourself assessed, believe me they won't put you in a padded cell. My only regret is that I did not do this early enough in my life. Don't suffer. Get Help.

Date:

04 Apr 2002

Time:

03:02:50

Remote User:

Comments

The whole issue of PTSD is, in my view, one that is returning to haunt the MOD who look as if they will be held liable, at the very least for culpable neglect. I say 'at the very least' for in my view, the real story is one of wilful refusal to act, as a matter of policy, on the basis of cost.

MOD, although a military HQ is no different than any other organ of State. Each diagnosed case of PTSD within a soldier's career means, if it is diagnosed before discharge, an expensive war pension!

The favourite way of dealing with such cases is to 'gloss' the behavioural symptoms with the veneer of 'indiscipline' and seek an administrative discharge. The other method of dealing is to hide from Parliament the existence of any medical condition by making the soldier an 'offer he cannot refuse'. That is to say, that in return for him giving 12 months notice to terminate his service, thereby entitling him to a full 'resettlement package', the military will not seek to discharge him at very short notice on the basis that he is 'Temperamentally Unsuitable for Further Army Service'. Such a discharge category entitles the soldier to no resettlement training or courses. This is a non-disciplinary category of short notice discharge. It works particularly well with those soldiers who are married and ideally have young families who face the alternative of losing their Married Service Accommodation at very short notice on return to Civil Life or opting for the more 'administratively convenient' form of discharge after serving the required notice period. In this way, there is no record of any psychiatric problems. Even if there were a psychiatric referral recorded on the F Med 4, then it is unlikely in the extreme, that the F Med 19, containing a medical 'summary' would record it! In any event, no record of any psychiatric condition means that financial liability is avoided if it places an extra barrier in the way of a claim to a War Pension!

The MOD are, in my view, quite accurate in stating that they have a duty of care during the soldier's career. However, because such a duty of care does not extend beyond a soldier's career, the MOD, in my view, wilfully close their eyes to any evidence which may involve any consequential drain on the Defence Vote.

If a PTSD Serviceman is discharged on disciplinary or admin grounds and his condition 'realises' years later, then, in the absence of proper records the onus probandi is upon him and him alone to show a causal link between the condition he suffers now, and his Military Service - increasingly difficult with both the passage of time, and the absence of legal aid to bring his case.

While his Service Record will contain an accurate summary of any acts of indiscipline, it will be very unlikely that it will contain any record of psychiatric injury!

By these, and other methods, the financial consequences of PTSD is passed from the Public Sector to the Private Voluntary Sector.

The above scenario is, in my view, the 'real' story behind PTSD!

James

Date:

06 Apr 2002

Time:

12:25:31

Remote User:

Comments

found the web page very interesting, its good to know that there is something like this for those of us that suffer from ptsd through service in the forces. THANKS.

Date:

06 Apr 2002

Time:

22:29:06

Remote User:

Comments

Greats site and some very honest comments. The issue of PTSD is not going away. I have my own story like so many others. I dealt with it by treatment and writing about what happened. Take a look at www.books4publishing.com. My book is called Forced Out and will be published later this year. You are not alone, so talk Best wishes to the suffers and their families Simon

Date:

08 Apr 2002

Time:

06:04:26

Remote User:

Comments

As a Vietnam veteran suffering PTSD I found your site extremely interesting, informative and useful and I will pass it on to a number of vet's in similar situation. As you may be aware the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service here in Australia looks after Vet's with trauma. You may be interested in the Australian site for PTSD try www.acpmh.unimelb.edu.au Regards to all and don't forget you are not alone "remember the dead but fight like hell for the living" PJ pejay@ozemail.com.au

Date:

13 Apr 2002

Time:

12:08:49

Remote User:

Comments

Please could you help me? I have tried for many, many months to obtain the following information. I need to know the number of the convoy which sailed from West Hartlepool to Sydney Nova Scotia, via Oban in Scotland, on September 18/19 1943. I do, by the way have a bad case of PTSD. Any information you could give me would be very much appreciated. Yours faithfully Robert Johnston. email gaynorjohnston2002@yahoo.co.uk

Date:

16 Apr 2002

Time:

22:41:35

Remote User:

 

Comments

an interesting, honest, helpful site. the following is from the British medical journal dated 13 April 2002.gulf war syndrome may be post conflict dysfunction. also lots of stuff on non diseases such as ptsd and gws and cfs. or should I say what certain organizations class as non diseases, its basically another excuse for them to not admit to their mistakes, and to except responsibility for such things as cfs and gws. do they have any idea how humiliating it is to have to try and convince doctors etc that you are not well? I think not otherwise we would be respected and tret with a little more compassion and humanity. any way keep strong barney gulf war and west Belfast

Date:

18 Apr 2002

Time:

14:10:26

Remote User:

 

Comments

A great site. This organisation, COMBAT STRESS has some 6000 veterans suffering from combat related PTSD. We have been going for 83 years and have helped over 75,000 people in that time. Our veterans are of all ages and campaigns - WWll, Korea, right through Falklands, Gulf War, many Northern Ireland, and now Bosnia, Sierra Leone and so on who we are helping cope with their suffering.

We are very proud of those we help.

We are always on the lookout for people who are suffering and need someone to turn to. If any of your visitors want to get in touch please either ring 01372 841600 or e-mail us at contact us@combatstress.org.uk

Date:

19 Apr 2002

Time:

12:50:07

Remote User:

 

Comments

well done Andy. you beat me to it, I have been trying to get the resources together to set up a help line for the same reasons as yourself. I am now a case worker for The Royal British Legion in South Wales but I still feel isolated in my search for peace of mind. I was lucky enough to be involved in a research project on P.T.S.D. when I was in Manchester. I learnt a lot about the illness and about myself, its a case of one day at a time. if I can assist or join forces maybe we can help even more, there are a lot I have spotted along the way but at the time i was needing help myself so there was not a lot i could do. now i am going in the right direction and its time to bring them in, 25% of homeless people are ex service personnel ( i was one myself ) so i have come a long way and understand many of the problems, your web site is a welcome source for sufferers and i will recommend it to all who need it. best of luck mate. hope to shake your hand one day. ex sapper .

Date:

24 Apr 2002

Time:

12:36:24

Remote User:

 

Comments

I WAS AN OFFICER WITH THE IRISH NAVAL SERVICE FOR 12 YEARS REPORTED HARASSMENT MY COMMANDING OFFICER CHANGED THE TITLE TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT I WAS SACKED . LATER SUFFERED HEART ATTACKS AND GENERAL HEALTH DISORDERS RELATED TO THE SACKING. I GOT NO SUPPORT FROM EITHER THE MEDICAL STAFF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES NOR MY FELLOW OFFICERS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO VISIT MY THANK YOU SORRY FOR SPELLING HAD TO RE SUBMIT SITE http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/.124532/1/?s=m JIM HOSFORD LYNCH FIRST ENGINEER SERV No 129539X 353 21 4811301

Date:

17 May 2002

Time:

01:57:42

Remote User:

 

Comments

VERY GOOD ABOUT TIME SOMEONE HELPED US GHOST ROYAL BRITISH LEGION EAST & CANTRAL LEWISHAM BRANCH

Date:

23 May 2002

Time:

14:31:39

Remote User:

 

Comments

Hello Andy. My name is Martin Owen and I am head of the Training Department for SSAFA Forces Help, and I'm on your mailing list. I am an ex-serviceman and have an interest in PTSD, particularly its treatment. I have recently been approached by someone offering hypnotherapy for PTSD sufferers. Do you know if anyone has had any experience of this form of treatment? If so, would they recommend it? I would also be grateful for any ideas about what other forms of treatment really work. In my experience this varies widely, but personal recommendation is the best recommendation in my view. My e-mail address is martin.o@ssafa.org.uk Thanks. Keep up the good work! Martin

Date:

25 May 2002

Time:

12:26:51

Remote User:

 

Comments

Andy, I have just read your tribute to Sandy poem - WOW, what can I say except, how beautiful it is. I am now sitting here with tears in my eyes and the true "love" that shines through each and every word you use. You have done a wonderful job and I will be creating somewhere on my site to link to this page - with your permission of course?? Fantastic job you're doing here throughout your site, worthwhile to many hundreds and thousands of people out there - please never underestimate what you have done here. Love Always, Chrissy

Date:

26 May 2002

Time:

14:39:29

Remote User:

 

Comments

I am a Falklands war veteran who has suffered from PTSD for the last 20years, I felt isolated and alone as it is difficult to talk about PTSD, I started a group for vets to talk to each other and hopefully help a serviceman or woman who needs to make contact with other sufferes, you can join us at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/cloudpuncherptsd/ I will put this site on my group,

Thanks

Mack http://britains-smallwars.com/Mac/index.html

Date:

26 May 2002

Time:

16:54:02

Remote User:

 

Comments

I must say that I have visited many sites lately dealing with PTSD and most are just a place where the PTSD sufferers are bouncing off the walls and each other in an attempt to find answers to what's making them hurt. The problem with these sites is that most of the time you come away feeling worse than you did before you logged onto them. This site here is so refreshing. It has been inteligently compiled by someone that knows what the symtoms of PTSD are and how to find relief from them through emotional, phsyical and spiritual exercises. A lot of heart went into making this site. Anyone would benefit from practicing what has been laid out here.

Thank you for putting together.

rich buster Vietnam 68/69

Date:

27 May 2002

Time:

14:36:24

Remote User:

 

Comments

A very good site with lots of information and up to date reports. With sites like this it means this country might just be moving foward in its recognition of PTSD as a real symptom of war, though I do exclude the MoD because they still have their empty heads in the sand.

Edward Denmark Author NOT FOR QUEEN AND COUNTRY ( See Amazon books on the net)

Date:

05 Jun 2002

Time:

18:00:50

Remote User:

 

Comments

i was visited today by major david harding from combat stress today he gave me your card......i have looked at your site and im overwelmed.....after i have had an indepth look i will contact you.i was frontline gulf war im ex grenadier guards.this is an excellent site thankyou. c.gordon.

Date:

06 Jun 2002

Time:

15:14:23

Remote User:

 

Comments

hi after creating hell for my wife and family they have come to the conclusion i am suffering PTSD. I served in Africa with French Foreign Legion and saw 64 days of continual active service in which i shot other people and we lost 22 men in a 54 hand to hand battle, then i took part in the Gulf war. Can you help me, please. Mac

Date:

06 Jun 2002

Time:

15:17:54

Remote User:

 

Comments

hi after creating hell for my wife and family they have come to the conclusion i am suffering PTSD. I served in Africa with French Foreign Legion and saw 64 days of continual active service in which i shot other people and we lost 22 men in a 54 hour hand to hand battle, then i took part in the Gulf war. Can you help me, please. Mac

Date:

10 Jun 2002

Time:

18:19:35

Remote User:

 

Comments

Hi Mac. If you email me on the link at the top of this page I will of course help you as much as I can

Andy

Date:

10 Jun 2002

Time:

22:43:42

Remote User:

 

Comments

THE UK HAS A VETERANS PRAYER IN WHICH IT SAYS LEST WE FORGET,,,,,WELL ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS IN THIS COUNTRY WE ARE FORGOTTEN BY THE VERY PEOPLE WE SERVED,,THANKS TO PEOPLE LIKE YOU MAYBE SOON THEY WILL TAKE NOTICE AND REMEMBER,,,,MATOAKA@NTLWORLD.COM

Date:

13 Jun 2002

Time:

13:20:38

Remote User:

 

Comments

Great to find somthing at last that i can read about what i have sufferd from for almost 8 years, i have seen so many doctors and HEAD doctors shall we say but it all came to nothing with them, it calmed down for a while but its coming back again as the other stresses in my life are building up, being made redundand a few weeks ago just was not what i needed, but hey s**t happens as they say and life goes on, but it feels like life is going on and i missed the bus..... i will keep looking back with great interest at the pages of this site and hope we can all put the past were it belongs.. in the past!! Terry Boydon tb@terryboydon.com

Date:

15 Jun 2002

Time:

08:58:59

Remote User:

 

Comments

God lifes a bastatrd sometimes. You have expectations when in youth, and you achieve what you set out to do, 'selected for SAS service.' then it starts, slowly one by one the injuries become more often and worse. You see sights that should not be seen by humans. You fry your brain on CT, gas and lead you find the body decaying faster than your sanity, then all of a sudden, the brain catches up. I am so tired and worn by this PTSD, and YES you may say "hey SAS , you can hack this". Wrong, no matter who you are you will go through a period when you fancy giving it all away. Now the REAL BATTLE starts, thank heavens there were some around , those older who can come over and say" Tis okay see all those guys, well they are all sick too. " "dont worry we will understand and help you to understand, for that is worst ...understanding hey good site best from Perth Australia {Aust SAS Regt ret} Chris.............farwell Nish I know you are now safe.

Date:

16 Jun 2002

Time:

07:26:19

Remote User:

 

Comments

Cheers for your page, I am not in the services but a London Firefighter of 23 years.I have been suffering similar symptoms for some time and see a welfare counsellor. To see everything laid out on my PC as oppossed to talking and trying to remember what a councellor says has helped me understand a lot.There are big changes coming up in my life as I leave the 'job', creating more fears and problems. By refering to your site I may be able to cope with them better.I will visit this page again . I'll also recommend it to a pal from the Marines who served in the Falkland conflict and has problems of his own.. Thanks again,Good Luck to all who visit this site.apoligies if I offend any service personnel by using this site established for your profesion and a sincere thank you for what you do for us,wherever you are.

Date:

17 Jun 2002

Time:

03:51:13

Remote User:

 

Comments

Beirut 1982....The ghosts still haunt my past. I'm glad i am no longer alone.

Date:

22 Jun 2002

Time:

08:53:15

Remote User:

 

Comments

AS AN EX WELSH GUARD ( 3 COY ) WHO IS IN BITS HEALTH WISE. KNEES, SPINE , HEARING, PTSD, CAN I JUST SAY A THANK YOU FOR YOUR SITE.!!! ITS NICE TO KNOW THAT SOME ONE OUT THERE DOES CARE, HOW IM STILL ALIVE AFTER 20 LONG YEARS OF SUFFERING WITH PTSD, I JUST DONT KNOW.? IF IT WASNT FOR THE THOUGHT OF CAUSING MY FAMILY MORE GRIEF THAN THEY HAVE HAD SINCE THE FALKLANDS WAR, ID HAVE TOPPED MY SELF A LONG TIME AGO. I LIVE WITH THE FEEL OF GUILT EVERY SECOND OF MY LIFE, IF I COULD HAVE GONE BACK DOWN BELOW ON THE GALAHAD IF ID JUST HAD A TORCH, IF IF IF IF!! IT JUST TEARS MY SOUL TO BITS, I KNOW IN MY HEART I DID ALL I COULD,BUT THE GUILT FEELING JUST LINGERS ON. SINCE THE FALKLANDS WAR, MY ARMY CARREER WENT TO BITS, COUT MARTALLED, AND POSTED OUT OF BATTALION, TO A LIFE OF LONLINESS AWAY FROM MY BUDDIES IN BATTALION.I LEFT IN 88 IN BITS HEALTH WISE, AND NOW IM OUT IN THE REAL WORLD AND BOY DOES IT SUCK. THANKS FOR YOUR WEB PAGE. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ( 81 ROBERTS X 3 COY ) ( WELSH GUARDS )