Hello!
I'm Sam. It feels a little nerve-wracking to write down my experiences and share them with you all, but I believe that it's by sharing that we can truly heal. My journey with PTSD began in 2004 when I was on vacation on the beautiful Koh Phi Phi island in Thailand. The tranquility of the island was shattered when the Asian Tsunami hit. It's an experience I'll never forget - myself and a group of fellow tourists became the island's impromptu first responders, tirelessly helping the injured and trapped until the Thai military arrived to assist.
When I returned to London, things weren't easy. For nearly five years, the emotional scars from the disaster continued to torment me. It was frustrating that despite my clear trauma, my PTSD remained undiagnosed and untreated. As the years passed, this oversight took a significant toll leading to the heart-wrenching loss of my career and the respect of loved ones.
This oversight affected my personal and professional life deeply, but thankfully, a turning point came when I connected with a brilliant therapist from Oxford University. Her insight and treatment techniques provided me with the tools and clarity to better manage my trauma. After my PTSD treatment, we participated in a BBC World Service podcast about PTSD.
Years went by, and just when I thought things were looking up, I was hit with a Stage 3 cancer diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Treating cancer is arduous at the best of times but the compounded struggles of undergoing treatments during a global crisis, away from the comfort of family and friends made it brutal at times. The isolation, the fears - they revived the traumatic memories from the past. But the skills and resilience I had gained from my PTSD treatment were instrumental in helping me navigate through these dark times.
While I've certainly encountered my share of challenges in life, it's also been filled with a variety of passions. I have a deep fascination for the arts, education, travel, and politics. Above all, ensuring human rights for everyone is of paramount importance to me because I believe that every single person deserves a voice, support, and a sense of dignity.
I'm here to connect, share, and learn. PTSD isn't just a condition - it's an experience that shapes us, challenges us, but with the right support can make us stronger. If you've been through a traumatic event, know that you aren't alone. Together, we can find the strength to weather life's fiercest storms and aim for brighter days.
Thank you for welcoming me into this community.
Kind Regards,
Sam
I'm Sam. It feels a little nerve-wracking to write down my experiences and share them with you all, but I believe that it's by sharing that we can truly heal. My journey with PTSD began in 2004 when I was on vacation on the beautiful Koh Phi Phi island in Thailand. The tranquility of the island was shattered when the Asian Tsunami hit. It's an experience I'll never forget - myself and a group of fellow tourists became the island's impromptu first responders, tirelessly helping the injured and trapped until the Thai military arrived to assist.
When I returned to London, things weren't easy. For nearly five years, the emotional scars from the disaster continued to torment me. It was frustrating that despite my clear trauma, my PTSD remained undiagnosed and untreated. As the years passed, this oversight took a significant toll leading to the heart-wrenching loss of my career and the respect of loved ones.
This oversight affected my personal and professional life deeply, but thankfully, a turning point came when I connected with a brilliant therapist from Oxford University. Her insight and treatment techniques provided me with the tools and clarity to better manage my trauma. After my PTSD treatment, we participated in a BBC World Service podcast about PTSD.
Years went by, and just when I thought things were looking up, I was hit with a Stage 3 cancer diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Treating cancer is arduous at the best of times but the compounded struggles of undergoing treatments during a global crisis, away from the comfort of family and friends made it brutal at times. The isolation, the fears - they revived the traumatic memories from the past. But the skills and resilience I had gained from my PTSD treatment were instrumental in helping me navigate through these dark times.
While I've certainly encountered my share of challenges in life, it's also been filled with a variety of passions. I have a deep fascination for the arts, education, travel, and politics. Above all, ensuring human rights for everyone is of paramount importance to me because I believe that every single person deserves a voice, support, and a sense of dignity.
I'm here to connect, share, and learn. PTSD isn't just a condition - it's an experience that shapes us, challenges us, but with the right support can make us stronger. If you've been through a traumatic event, know that you aren't alone. Together, we can find the strength to weather life's fiercest storms and aim for brighter days.
Thank you for welcoming me into this community.
Kind Regards,
Sam
