Hello From Mac - Ex British Army

[Mac Macdonald]

Hello all,

My name is Mac Macdonald and I served for 22 years in the British Army. I left in July 2000 at the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 (Squadron Sergeant Major).

I have many friends with PTSD and I am very interested in the topic and how people can be helped to cope. I help run an organisation which helps those affected by war but more of that later.

I am here to learn.

 

[Nishkaa]

Hi Mac-- nice to meet you and welcome to the group!

That's awesome to have served in the Army and now using that experience and your involvement to in a group to help others affected by war. It's important work and it's needed!

I'm Canadian, so I suppose we are related by Queen :) And we are related by the common challenge of PTSD. I'm not a Vet, but I know a few. And one of my roommates-- he was a "base-brat" and is still a bit of brat :)

The founder of this site will also be a good contact for you I think.

 

[amethist]

Hi Mac

Welcome to the forum.

There a few ex-military on here though not many from here in the UK, mainly the U.S.

There is loads of helpful info all around the forum. You may also want to have a look at the "Combat PTSD Forum" too, you will find the link to it under the Extra's button at the top.

I hope you learn all you can to help the sufferers you support.

Amethist

 

[JV811]

I am glad to hear that you want to help others. I'd like to do the same. My buddy can't sleep his emotions are up and down, and I'm trying to be supportive but at times he pushes me away.

 

[Mac Macdonald]

Thanks for the warm welcome all. Help, a 4 letter word and sometimes viewed by those we wish to help as just that, a "bad" word. The mantra by which I work is that no soul is a lost soul, regardless of rebuke, indifference or even attack; we ALL need help of some sort and sometimes it just takes a while to let people allow us to help them. Talking is a great tool, it isn't charity, it costs nothing and can be real fun.

When I offer my support/help and get pushed away I let them see I have been pushed away, I may even admit it hurts a little but that I am still here and still caring (but not over caring - that can be a turn off for many). If you really wish to help others, just seeing you are there, that you never desert them will win them round, patience, it's a game worth winning. :smile: