I still hear Dad scream out in the night, go outside to calm down, light a cigarette still shaking and dripping in sweat, even when he is bad and wont speak to me or Mum he panics if we are not around and he wakes up. He hates to be alone yet doesnt talk.
There is a Gulf War vigil this weekend in London. Dad and Mum are going. Not sure how he will cope or if he will cope but I am sooooo proud of him. I just wish that people understood the effects of the chemicals they pumped into our servicemen, guinea pigs. Men in suits really didnt think about what it would do long term, maybe they didnt think they would come home. I know I am a kid and I know my opinions are limited to what I know but I do know there is something called Gulf War Syndrome and it has helped to destroy peoples and probably families lives.
I know I bang on about homelessness and our veterans because it is something I feel strongly about, I have my thoughts on PTSD too as you may have guessed but this is another thing I feel really strongly about and if I could I would go with Mum and Dad even if it was to fetch tea for everyone, but someone has to look after the animals.
I really believe that Dad keeps getting blood clots even when his blood is like water because of the effects of the chemicals, I am also sure that the fibromyalgia (sorry cant spell) and the pains in his joints, his constant tiredness and other things are also caused by it. I watched a TV documentary with Mum some years ago and a professor in the USA proved that our boys were stuffed and that the uranium levels in Gulf Vets 20 years after were stronger than cancer patients. AAARRRRRHHHHHH! it makes me so mad. I know Mum kept the info on it but it is still ignored.
Well, all I can say is I am soooo proud of them all for what they are doing. Good luck and maybe even if one important person listens things may start to move forward. I know Mum would love to fight this cause because everytime Dad gets taken into hospital and they mention it the hospitals say "there is no such thing" as not all symptoms are the same. Are any two cancers the same, any two broken limbs, no and why because every person is different.
When people look at my Dad they ask him why he has so many medals and someone like him cant have been to that many places. He is embarrassed to wear them. When he is in his wheelchair they look on him as a hero, but when he walks with a stick they turn their noses up. Mum bought a car sticker that Dad wont put in the car. It says "I may not look disabled, but you dont look stupid" Think that sums up how people look on any illness they cannot see just like PTSD
Well whoever the person or people are that are sorting things out for the weekend, good luck and hope you dont mind that I nicked your picture. Dad I know how hard it will be for you to leave the house let alone stand in London. Mum will be there, switch off, build a house in your head or sing rugby songs, you can do it and I am sooooooooooooooooo, soooooooooooooo proud of you
Rant over
Puddly xxxx