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Showing content with the highest reputation on 02/06/2015 in all areas

  1. Wow - I'm grateful for the responses and information that has come through since I last checked this out. The appointment yesterday went incredibly well. This specific doctor has been working with the kid over the past 5 years and is pretty familiar with the situation; however, previous attempts for specific therapies and programs have never panned out. The mother got a chance to have a one on one conversation with the doctor before the actual appointment. That was crucial because they got to discuss some things that may have made the brother uncomfortable (also, we prepped her to ask some questions based on points made by those who contributed here - THANK YOU!!!). When they all sat down, the doctor explained how incredible this opportunity is for him and his future. They focused on the positives of the program, mainly activities & the chance to farm (which he loves), but also told him that we would all be here for him once he returned - regardless of how his experience went. He trusts this doctor and I do believe he realizes that this his last chance to get real help before turning 18. The hardest part through this has been getting him on board to go. There was a breakthrough during that appointment in which he admitted that he needed a change. For the first time, he actually embraced this (which led his mom to tears of joy/relief). As for the actual trip down to Utah, I gotta tip my cap to the kid - he came up with his own plan. He told the doctor and his mother that if he was going to go, he wants his mom, dad, and sister to take him. He said it was important to him that they spend that time together as a family before he leaves and takes this on. The parents have been divorced for a while, and the father been a real pain when it comes to helping with his son. Although we know there's that constant possibility of him "blowing up" (which now makes me laugh every time I say that because of that hyperlink lol), everyone is taking comfort in his current perspective on the trip. They are all embracing it as an opportunity to catch up on lost time and to stand together as one family to support him - this kind of solidarity has been absent for years. They are leaving within the next 10 days. If he "blows up", they have his prescribed medication to calm him down. The doctor suggested using what they normally use when he is at home because he is comfortable with it (and it works). But fingers crossed, that won't be necessary. So, what began as an idea to knock him up on medication and get him down there as fast as possible, regardless of his desire, has turned into a much-needed family vacation and hopefully a new beginning in his life. He is a very smart kid and I think he realizes how important this is to his development for life in the real world. I'm not sure we would be in this place now if it wasn't for some of the feedback I got on this site. Thanks again. I look forward to posting about a successful trip in the next few weeks.
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  2. I didn't know Greg but I know Greg. I have watched colleagues suffer as he obviously did for my entire career in the field. I have been incredibly fortunate thus far, but in the back of my mind I know I'm likely only waiting for the moment it all boils over. Recently I spoke with a colleague about his PTSD experiences. His suffering focuses primarily on a single incident but it took 18 years of further incidents to put him over the edge. 18 years of the worst of the human condition and he was doing well. He would go home to his loving family, work his beloved trap line, and sleep soundly at night knowing the value of his efforts. One day, one call, later he is a broken man completely unable to function at home or as a paramedic. How will it strike me if it ever does? Will it be a slow building cumulative form? Will it be cumulative with a hyperfocus on a particular incident randomly set in motion by another separate incident? Will it be a single incident? We should all be asking ourselves these questions. We should all be seeking ways to mitigate these risks. Perhaps I will be the fortunate one who is never struck down by the acquired mental illness that is PTSD. Perhaps I will not be so fortunate. Regardless of my own fortune, I find it my duty to stand with my brothers and sisters who are suffering for as long as my legs will hold me. Greg, you have my respect. Ed
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  3. Is a medical fixed wing flight an option? Would be much quicker and can just keep him occupied with an ipad, IV access when needed with orders for IV sedation.
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  4. Nobody here is going to give you a recommendation on sedating your girlfriend's mentally ill brother. That's a legal mess nobody is going to get involved in. Your girlfriend's family needs to talk to this family member's medical team and develop a plan to get this person to whatever program he'll be attending. Those who provide medical care for this individual will have the best information on local resources available, if any exist, that may or may not help.
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  5. A comment posted on CBC. Squinting I am a survivor of PTS or OSD (38 year .. A Domestic Veteran) so I speak with a bit of knowledge on this topic as 3 years ago I too was looking 6 feet down I asked for help and was treated as a criminal ...this despite the recent well intended legislation of AB Bill 1. PTSD is presumptive in First responders, Law enforcement, Corrections, Medics and our Fire Fighters RIP BRAD ! I have good days and not so good days, yesterday was not a good day as I knew with the media releases "innuendo" and links connected the dots ... no sleep, calls to non governmental supporters and advocates . I can say without hesitation that not only the EMS/LEO/FF culture of "suck it up princess attitude" is partially to blame, so if one comes out of the closet (so to speak) ones career is simply over. Yet hose in high places are and continue to contort the intent of this important legislation with deny, delay, and when at ones weakest bombard with useless paperwork tactics insisting that many multiple "psychological assessments" be done to attempt to 'disprove' a false claim. At your wish CBC I will present 11 pounds of paperwork and be interviewed as to the literal psychological torture endured by myself at the hands of those intended to help me ? Tomorrow is Mental Health awareness day, so I ask, when the first responders are suiciding .. just what does this say about the supposed HELP that governments purport to be doing about this national traged ? Not a Damn Thing ! I will make note that 3 survivors (2 places in Canada) at their own expense, attempting to set up a "respite" a place to go and spend time with trusted "been there done that type guys" in confidence and respect for the duty they have provided to all Canadians.
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