Read True Life Stories
A Marine’s journey of recovery after TBI and PTSD (Max’s story)
My name is Max and I served in the United States Marine Corps from 2002 to 2007. I started out as just part of a squad and moved up to a team leader, and I deployed twice to a combat zone. We got blown up 12 times, and the only reason we knew that is because we actually literally marked on our dashes how many times we had gotten hit, and out of the 12 times I had gotten knocked out 9 of them.
Travelling Through Brazil as a Tall Blonde
Apart from not holding me back and instead supporting my decision to go to the continent with 43 of the 50 most dangerous cities in the world (of which I have recently learnt Porto Alegre is one of them), my parents have not exactly helped me in my quest to mould into a native here.
A Visit to Scotland
In 2015 my wife and I travelled around England and Scotland with our caravan. Here is an account of our journey in Scotland.
Trying to Be the Best Mom I Can Be
I recently told my daughter, who is 4 years old, that my mom died (in 1992) and the cause was a car accident. I was seven at the time. I was only trying to just be honest and now I’m not sure it was wise.
Alzheimer’s Disease
It was a hard time in our lives, when our Mother had dementia, she found things hard to cope with, and couldn’t express what she was feeling.
A Visit to Orkney
In 2015 my wife and I went on a caravan journey around England and Scotland. Our aim was to spend a week or so in Orkney. Here is an account of our time there.
Gemstone Girl – Jewellery Making Relieves Stress
A couple of years before I retired, I was off work on long-term sick leave with stress. I was getting bored at home because I didn’t feel well enough to go out or do much. Quite by chance I got into making jewellery.
Sally, deciding what to study at university
When I was in primary school I always struggled in English class, particularly in spelling. My father made me learn how to spell ten new words every week and I hated it so much I would cry down the phone when he was testing me.
L’s OA Story – I Had It Made
For the ‘umpteenth’ time I joined my favourite weight-loss club. This time, though, I proved to be a success – I got to goal weight, went on the maintenance plan and attained the cherished Lifetime Member distinction. Then I was encouraged to work for the organisation.
French confinement
It all happened in the blink of an eye. I almost feel like we had made it through the busy period of the season with school holidays and were starting to prepare to slow down the BAM everything shut down (including our employment for the potential summer).