An Army veteran has spoken of how he is rebuilding his life after sustaining physical and psychological injuries on active service.
Lee James, of Blackwood, has shared his story to help publicise a new study by the charity Help for Heroes and King’s College London into the health effects suffered by veterans.
Lee, a former Lance Corporal in the Royal Welsh, was fresh out of school at 16 when he joined the Army in 2006.
On the battlefields of Afghanistan, Lee faced the constant threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). Still in his teens, he didn’t feel he could talk to the guys about what he was going through and experiencing.
Two years later, in 2010, Lee returned to Afghanistan. Hoping the experiences on his previous tour would stand him in good stead, Lee felt prepared for what would come.
Then the worst happened when his vehicle drove over an IED. Escaping with minor physical injuries, the psychological scars would be lasting.
He was crippled by anxiety and depression and was unable to even leave the house or socialise. He was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 2011 and has been in recovery ever since.
He channelled his emotions into his writing but his PTSD got worse, to the point he attempted suicide.
He explained: “Even though I’d escaped with only minor injuries it turned out the experience really affected me mentally. The emotional impact was huge. It was a downward spiral from there.
“Help for Heroes has given me direction – I didn’t have that before. In my head I’d think ‘you don’t deserve to be here anymore’.
“Everything seemed utterly worthless. The charity told me I had a reason to live and allowed me to be myself again. They picked me up and have put me on the right path.”
The Help for Heroes study, called Counting the Cost, reveals that following conflicts around the world, since the 1991 Gulf War up to Afghanistan in 2014, at least 66,090 servicemen and women and veterans need some form of health-related support currently or in the years to come.
The figure equates to almost one in 11 men and women who served as regulars between 1991 and 2014.
Bryn Parry, Co-Founder of Help for Heroes said: “This new research is essential reading for all those involved in delivering healthcare support to members of the Armed Forces community. It proves that the number of people who have served their country and need support, be it physical, psychological or welfare is not decreasing. The only way to ensure the 66,090 individuals and their families get the help they need, when they need it, is for state and charity organisations to work closer than ever to deliver high quality, accessible support.”
Accompanying the Counting the Cost study, Help for Heroes has launched its Rebuilding Lives campaign, a powerful, visual photographic display taken by Roger Keller of ten wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women’s tattoos which when looked at closely, reveal their hidden wounds personal battles or hopes for the future. Lee was one of those photographed.
His tattoo reveals the words ‘I’ll rest my soul in heaven for I’ve spent my time in hell,’ and tells a story of his journey from the depths of despair to where he is now.
He explained: “The tattoo shows everything I’ve been through. It empowers me to be strong in the future.”
• If you think you may need some support, or know somebody who does, visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk.
We all sleep safely at night because of lees endeavours. The war and the politics involved were and are despicable but our armed forces personnel give so we don’t have to. All we have to do repay our debt is turn up once a year at the cenotaph and stick your hand in your pocket when other good people rattle the tins. Not much to ask.
Did quite a bit of fundraising for Help for heroes over the years and good to see somebody local to me getting the help and support that they need, once again Caerphilly council and the muppet local councilors are no-where to be seen…