cktimes.ca Archives for Legion Musing
Legion Musing
Operation Stress Injury
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Last month I wrote about Operation Stress Injury and how it affected my life. I told you how the OSI Clinic in London has made a huge difference in my personal life. The message I'm trying to get out to everyone is that we never return from these war zones the same as we were when we left to go to them. I served in the age of "suck it up and be a man, if you're having trouble dealing with it drink more beer". Well it does not work! WW1 and II, Korea, the so called peace keeping missions, we all were given those instructions. Finally in 1998 they woke up to the fact that we all had varying effects from our time overseas.Today it's ok to talk about it, in fact we Veterans talking among ourselves can be the best way to heal. After all we share a common bond. We served in terrible places and saw mankind at its worst. Also those who go into earthquake zones see death on a huge scale. It's hard on all of us. If you say no it didn't affect me you’re lying to yourself or are not dealing with it. Your families know you've changed and that you're drinking way more than before you left and are not talking, etc.
Here's a few figures for you: 98% of Canadian will never experience what just 2% of us experience. However the effects we suffer will affect almost 50% of Canadians because our suffering affects all of our families. We don't mean to affect you, in fact mostly we don't see it because we are struggling hard to make sense of it all. So ladies and gentlemen help is out there. The biggest tool you have is your mouth. Talk to someone who's served, talk to Veterans Affairs Canada their phone number is 1-866-522-2122. Not ready for that, then talk to your local Legion's Service Officer. I'm also willing to speak to you personally if you are in another town. Please speak to your local Legion first. You can call Branch 18 in Wallaceburg at519-627-6663. They will pass on your message. You are not alone, help is here.
LEST WE FORGET
Robert Simpson was born in Amherst Nova Scotia. From 1976 to 1980 served in the Canadian armed forces He served in Cyprus 1978/79. He came to Wallaceburg where he worked at North American Plastics. He worked in Toronto as a computer technician. After suffering a heart attack 2002 he retired to Wallaceburg to be closer to his 3 daughters, and all his grandchildren. He is involved with Branch 18 Legion where he is on the executive; he serves as Seniors Chairman. also is currently Youth-Ed Chairman, Liaison with the Sea Cadets and Elevator Committee Chairman for the Legion. Robert is also working at starting up an Operational Stress Injury Peer Support Group in the area for Veterans of all ages.
