A Brief History of Me

November 1976 – I was born with a congenital heart defect which affected the mitral valve, causing blood to be pumped back into the heart.

Over the next 5 years I would be rushed to hospital multiple times as I would stop breathing.

At 5 years, I underwent open heart surgery to repair my valve. This allowed me to live my life with some normality – which I made the most of, playing every sport possible – pushing boundaries on my restrictions and doctor’s expectations.

At 21 years, I underwent my second open heart surgery.

Due to growth and the stress I had put my heart under over the years, my valve was failing again. Surgery with an addition – something to help strengthen the valve.

At 21 years I had badly sprained my ankle at work and 6 months later after countless doctor’s visits. I was told a bone tumour had taken over the talus bone and that their was only a shell left.  1 week later – surgery and 6 months recovery.  Leaving me with 50% movement in that ankle.

At 34 years, I lost my best mate whilst talking to him on the phone and just after him telling me he was going to be a father for the first time.

At 35 years, I was involved in an incident at work which bought to mind, I could have left my sons without a father.

At 36 years, my relationship to the mother of my boys had dissolved.

Fallen into a dependence with alcohol to mask how I was feeling.

I moved from a general duties role in the Police to a training role to allow more time with my boys.

I had gradually fallen into depression and become suicidal.

1 week before turning 37, I had a heart attack and spent a week in hospital. They were unable to give a medical reason why it occurred.

I developed stomach ulcers over a period of time causing hospitalisation on numerous occasions.

At 38 years, I was eventually diagnosed with PTSD/Depression.

At 39 years, I was medically retired from the Police.

After being retired I went through the faze of loss of identity and not knowing who I was anymore.