Introductions

[Oaktree]

@goatlatte @Azalea @Magpie22 @yggdrasil @Ocean11 @ajp @Breakfast68 @Faz22 @Toowrite @DougS @Sir @NikooJalilvand @OA_24 @Ron64 @TM71 @RJ97 @Croix @Veronica6 @Reed @EvR @JenGee @AstroB @TipToe @Radder @AlexAble @PeppyPatti @Harmonee @AloneBroken @01_Humblebee @McShrinqui @RugbyAFL @SouthsNo1 @Greentothebone @TAB @JJSmith @AllAboutMissy @tyme 

Hey guys,

So a little about me. I joined the Army at 17 years old and I had plans to stay in for 20 years. Unfortunately 2 1/2 years into my service I was diagnosed with bipolar. I initially elected to stay in the Army but then because of a person acting because of stigma I was subsequently put back in hospital so I was medically discharged. I was really disappointed. I enjoyed my service overall especially going out bush. I would say my least favourite aspect was shining my boots and brass ready for parades. So I was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder at 19 years of age. I later met my husband at 21 years old and got married when I was 22. I had 3 kids. Two boys and a girl. I love being a mother and I feel like that was the role I was born for. My kids are all adults now and have moved away from home. I have been married just over 31 years now and my hubby is my soulmate. He is 10 years older than me. I am looking forward to seeing what the future has in store. I am currently studying cert 4 in mental health peer work and I have been a member of Sane forums for 4 years in May. Sane has been a huge part in my recovery. Anyway nice to meet you all.

[tyme]

Thank you @Oaktree  for sharing that powerful introduction. I certainly provides insight into the experiences of some veterans.

We look forward to hearing the experiences of others (as well as family members). 

@Oaktree , did your husband know much about your army experience?

[Azalea]

@Oaktree nice to meet you! I'm sorry you were treated that way because of stigma, thankfully that is slowly changing. There was stigma when I was medically discharged for PTSD in 2009 too, back then it wasn't the done thing to admit you were struggling, "suck it up and get the job done" and all that.

I served for 6 1/2 years in the Army and spent a lot of time unwell after medical discharge. DVA rehabilitation and the right healthcare team helped me change my life though. I left a toxic marriage (he's also a veteran), did a bunch of mental health courses, a uni degree, took up some fun sports and went back to the gym and life has been pretty great since. 

Being a mum is the best, I'm with you! I have a son who is a mini me which is the best sometimes, until he's being cheeky like me. The clash of perimenopausal moods and teenage moods can be a lot haha! 

I'm a newbie to SANE, so it's great to see it's been a big part of your healing!

[Oaktree]

@tyme 

No I never really talked about the Army with my husband. I don’t know why really. There are a lot of things about my early past that I haven’t shared with my husband. Particularly the trauma stuff. I was a victim of an indecent assault by a SGT in my chain of command in the Army so maybe I was just trying to leave all that in the past?

[Oaktree]

Hi @Azalea 

Welcome to Sane!

I hope you love it as much as I have.

I didn’t get any help from DVA as they were quite adversarial. I only just found out at 53 that they actually had given me a white card at 19. I am sorry to hear about the PTSD but it sounds like you have made good progress since the Army. Nice to talk to you 👋

[Azalea]

@Oaktree thank you, it's been a great space so far!

I'm sorry about what the SGT did, it is infuriating knowing how many women have been treated that way by predatory men, especially at such a young age. 

I'm so glad you finally got your white card, that will make treatment much easier and cheaper. I hope you were able to claim back costs of previous treatment!

[Oaktree]

@Azalea 

No previous costs are impossible to calculate as I didn’t keep records obviously as there was no need to. Nevermind…

Yes I was only 17 when I got assaulted. 
I got reparation last year and I still have a claim ongoing with the National redress scheme as I was a child and the Army is an institution 

[Azalea]

@Oaktree I’m so glad you put in a claim and received reparation!

[Oaktree]

@Azalea 

I only found out I could claim by accident because a fellow forums member mentioned it. I got my claim in on the last day as it was cut off. Then I had to wait 18 months while it was processed. The money doesn’t repair the mental anguish 

[Oaktree]

@Azalea 

I have started EMDR therapy though for my childhood trauma including this.