Archive Page 2

From: Denise Frain (www.rescuequip1.com)
Email: rescueeuip1@aol.com
Date: 31/03/2003
Comments:

It's reassurring to know the there people out there like you and your team who provide support when the ills of life throw it's worst at you. God bless and stay safe, Denise.

From: David Bennett - RE: TRISHA PROGRAMME ITV (GULF WAR VETERANS)
Date: 30/03/2003
Comments:

For all colleagues, friends, and Vet's of all conflicts. Trisha Goddard who presents the Trisha Show each morning on ITV at 9.25am, has families of loved one's serving in the Gulf now, appearing on her morning show on Monday 13th. March. 2003. The show is interesting for all. Many fears and feelings were discussed, how families at home feel at this moment. The show was an inspiration for all. I sat and chatted with many Veterans and family members prior to going 'on air' and later "off air". Many exchanged details and will keep in touch. I felt this was a wonderful gesture by Trish and the Crew, in a supportive measure for all family in UK. More importantly for all our brave PROFESSIONAL Men and Women serving in the Gulf Conflict. For those who have serving family members out in the Gulf, please watch the show, the advice from those who have "been there" previously may assist families at home in the UK now. I thank all those present on the Show, the Guests and Crew for the most friendly manner in which I was treated as the Shows Trauma Specialist Guest. Thank you all. David.

From: jay powell
Email: Proudscouse@merseymail.com
Date: 18/03/2003
Comments:

In 1986 (17 long years ago) I was a frontline Instant Response driver for the Merseyside Police.My job simply was to respond instantly to all major events happening in Liverpool City Centre,a job I loved as I was proud to be able to put myself dead centre in the war against crime,'stand up and be counted' if you like.One Saturday afternoon whilst off duty I went to the aid of two males being attacked by a gang of males,there is no doubt in my mind if I hadn't inter vened these males would have been very seriously injured.I have to say now as I survey the wreckage of my life I would have been better off calling the boys and not getting involved.I was then attacked by this mob and kicked across the street,what upset me so much was civilian 'friends' of mine stood watching me get booted senseless and didn't intervene.To cut a very long story short the two males originally being attacked refused to give statements because they hated the Police and eventually I was pensioned out of the Merseyside Police with Depressive Illness,this despite constantly requesting help saying to the Police "One of your machines has broken down you have a duty of care". I knew the assault had finished me with the Police and affected me deeply and I didn't need a shrink to tell me same.I then endured a living hell for many yrs knowing I had problems and knowing what had caused them(why my wife stood by me Ill never know,I don't think Id've been able to put up with the constant moodswings drinking and etc and etc).After walking out of a well paid job feeling burn't out and in need of a rest I thought things would be alright. WRong wrong and wrong again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As strong as I was I couldn't conquer this demon and I'd wasted many years trying to do so.Eventually I read somewhere about a clinic in Llandudno specializing in the treatment of PTSD I contacted the Clinic and shortly after a very special person rang me,a person who not only was an X policeman but knew exactly what I was going through and the hurt and despair I was going through.This was the first time in 14yrs,thats right 14 long Years,that I was able to talk about what had happened to me.When all this came out into the open I discovered 'to my astonishment' that not only did my wife not know the full history but also my best friend who I regularly went out and got drunk with.That was how personnal my fight with PTSD had become. Its now nearly three years since I started on the long road back to ????? put question marks there because I dont know where the long road leads to now,certainly not normality!!!!PTSD has ruined a BIG chunk of my life and continues to affect my life daily,I said to my GP the other day 'IF ONLY I COULD TURN THE CLOCK BACK AND BE FREE OF THIS CURSE". The SPECIAL person I referred to is of course David Bennett and I need not state here how grateful I am for all his help and advice,cheers Dave XXXX

From: Alison Dunbar
Date: 23/01/2003
Comments:

I am in the process of helping one of my closest friends cope after being assaulted in December last year. She suffered a broken jaw aswell as other injuries. The hospital, doctors and dentist can heal the outside wounds but who can you turn to for help in healng the psycolgical effects?. The only help I can be is to be a supportive friend, Its a good thing I don't take no for an answer when asking her if she wants to go out!. I wanted to help her more but was unsure who to turn to, I contacted my Uncle, Bishop Michael who is a member of the On Call Clergy and a good friend of David & Anne. I telephoned David on my Uncle's advice and was amazed at the wealth of information he offered. My friend did not want to speak to him direct but listened to everything I relaid to her. It was so good to hear David say I was doing the right thing by getting her out and about and made me feel more useful. as well as making my friend that she was not being "soft" and that to cry was OK. The thing that amazed me was when I discovered that David & Anne provide this service for nothing!!! How can our government ignore them? WHY, when there are so many people suffer violence, war, bulling, death etc are just labeled by Doctor's as depressed here's your prescription, see you next month. Or they get refered to a consultant who has never seen life at grass roots level and has just got a certificate on his wall to say "I'm qualified to help". They have never 'lived' and unless you have been through an experience no matter how small you can not possibly know how to help someone to the full extent and say "I know how you feel". Why can't the Sectretary for Health allow the Doctors to use the money they send to the consultant to pay for the services of the Trauma team who in my opinion are doing a better job? You may be thinking what does she know! gets a bit of advice over the phone and gets out her soap box, well, just by taking to David it has helped me and my friend and just knowing he's there if we need him is wonderful. The service that David and Anne provide a second to none and they and all who work with them are worth their weight in gold. If they can save a life or get someones life back on track then why can't they get paid for doing it? The government can afford to pay for assilum seekers to have bed and board on demand but I saw a report on TV only last week that said two veterans of the gulf war who served Queen and contry were living on the streets unable to get help while asilum seekers were living the life of luxury. Wheres the sense in that?, those men have suffered trauma beyond belief and they just get brushed under the carpet,as though they have outlived their usefulness to the authorities, so they just forget about them and the fact that if it wasnt for men like them who give their lives for others the ivory towers that the MP's love to cacoon themselves in would not be so safe. Well I feel like I have had a good vent but I'm not finished yet!! I hope that in some small way I can stamp my foot and if we all stamp our feet together someone somwhere has to listen. Thankyou both again best wishes, Alison

From: David Bennett
Date: 21/01/2003
Comments:

The Order of On Call Clergy of the United Kingdom. The Order is a part of the Christian Church. It is not aligned to any one denomination or movement. It welcomes men and women who are already working in a non-denominational form of Christian Ministry, who believe in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit and accept the Holy Bible to be the word of God. THE VISION: The order was founded in October 1999 and its vision is to have Clergy on call in all parts of the United Kingdom to attend to any situation, emergency or otherwise. The Clergy members are all ordained, ie, Ministers, Deacons, Priests and Bishops. The Order has powers to grant Ministerial credentials to all who accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal saviour, and arrange for Ordination in a public act of worship where permission has been obtained. Their Motto is "Sow the Seed". Any one interested in this wonderful work? Please make contact initially with Bishop Michael Wilson, Tel: 01772 436817 or request details via fax message to: 01772 452578. This is a very worthy Order, and Clergy especially Independent Clergy are becoming increasingly high profile in cases of extreme traumatic events / circumstances. David Bennett.

From: Christine at www.handcuffedhearts.com
Email: christine@handcuffedhearts.com
Date: 16/01/2003
Comments:

Thank you so much for your kind email. Your book looks very interesting; I plan on downloading it. :)

From: David Bennett
Date: 12/01/2003
Comments:
I wish to thank both Anna and Jerry for the entries made previously on the Guestbook. Yet again, here is an example where the "system" has let not one, but a family down. The frustration of trying to receive help, not even getting help and assistance, eventually wears thin. We at this Centre have notified the Authorities of this Centre's existence, yet receive many calls daily from PTSD patients who CANNOT get referrals because Doctor's fear they will not receive funding. May I put on public record we have notified all the necessary Health Agencies and THEY DO KNOW THE CENTRE EXISTS. I suspect the pain and suffering these patients are going through in many instances is COMPOUNDED by many Health Professionals ignoring the diagnosis of PTSD. Many informed they are Manic Depressive, Anxiety State Cases and so on. YES fine we know the EFFECT, we will never get to the root of the PTSD with Pharmocology (Drugs) alone, we have to find the CAUSE and return some control to the Patient. We could all START by LISTENING FIRST. Secondly BELIEVING the individual. Then SUPPORTING and letting them VENT and EXTERNALISE their hurt and pain in WORDS. Once we achieve this and gain their empathy, we will start to make inroads. Sadly, 50 minutes to an hour in a room initially will NEVER assist these persons. I wish to thank all individuals who put their trust in this Centre, and in doing so have enabled us to go on helping others, and GETTING IT RIGHT. THE FAMILY AS A WHOLE NEED HELP AND SUPPORT, it is they who have also had to endure the trauma through the Primary sufferer. Thank you all, David Bennett. (Director)

From: anna - wonderful site David!
Email: adiboo@lineone.net
Date: 12/01/2003
Comments:

i have to say it makes me really angry that there is so little help for people with ptsd. i myself have been studying ptsd for over 3 years and am hoping to work in this feild soon. my partner has had no help from doctors or counsellors at all. it seems that there is no one out there who really understands ptsd and the problems it causes within the family. isnt it about time the government woke up to whats going on here and provide some kind of funding to help the sufferers and their familys. i know david bennet and anne are doing a fantastic job and i aim to start helping people soon too. but there are so many people living through ptsd that more help is needed. more funding is needed and most of all more understanding is needed. please feel free to email me with your comments, anna

Greeting from Saint Louis
From: Fire Chaplain Walter McCutcheon
Date: 11/01/2003
Comments:

Greetings, Thank you for your kind words. Hope to meet you sometime. I plan to do some international tours in the future. God's Blessings to you. Fire Chaplain McCutcheon (Mr. Walter) www.mrwalter.com

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