Sandy - VC Founder
I started Veterans Club (VC) in part, to help me with my own struggles with PTSD and to deny my Demons a free mind within which to play!
After having been diagnosed with Complex PTSD by Combat Stress and receiving some “coaching" in Coping Strategies, I went onto treatment by Veterans NHS Wales. After suffering a “nightmare" of a Crisis Point, several suicide attempts, alcohol abuse and Violence I needed to change!!
Opening Pandora's Box, not only facing my Demons but fighting them was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done! Strangely after years of Therapy and relapses, I look back at those times and find it so hard to understand why I just didn’t open up and talk to someone, anyone, about what I was feeling. Instead, the Tsunami of PTSD signs and symptoms rolled over me, consumed me until there was very little of “me" left.
In its place was a version of me that I can no longer relate to. I have been extremely fortunate, firstly for still being alive but as importantly I have met extraordinary people through VC! PTSD sufferers, those who have been fortunate to have Served and have left unscathed by their experiences and a growing group of “Civilians" and Armed Forces Supporters who work tirelessly for the “cause" of increasing awareness and understanding of what PTSD actually is and the affect it has both on the sufferer and wider family/friends.
VC continues to expand, from 2 drop-ins a week to between 10 /12 now. VC has been a “vehicle" that has brought together Comrades from ALL Branches of the Armed Forces. We Socialise together, we help one another, and we support one another!
VC has become my Family!