REPORTER: Ryan Gisler
Child and Maternal Health month commences in April.
Rotary Foundation funded midwife jeep in Central Haiti.
Jim Force's meeting for the Rotary Global Grant takes place after the meeting today.
Guests and visitors: We had a large contingent from former Royal Oak Centennial Club.
Crawford McLean; Jim Parker; Jim Hickie; Art Joyce; Laura Malo; Bruce Curtiss; Josh Wintoniak (Sunrise Club, Medicine Hat, AB and lone Albertan)Ceci Valdes; Lt. Col. Chris Linford (Guest speaker)
Celebrations Master: Janette had a table quiz. Everyone was bilked.
Giles won 50/50 and used up his month’s good luck.
GUEST SPEAKER: Lt. Col. Chris Linford
Chris gave a talk on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which he described as “a family journey”
He wrote a book published in 2013, titled “Warrior Rising; A Soldier's Journey to PTSD and Back”
He is an active participant in the Wounded Warrior program for PTSD.
He suffered 22 years of PTSD brought on by his military experience in Rwanda, as a trauma nurse in the medical unit for 200 Canadian soldiers. He became increasingly disassociated through assaults on his personal moral code through traumas evidenced during the first 100 days in deployment.
What he experienced was: fear, despair, sadness, stigma, uncertainty, isolation, loneliness.
He explained his depression was intense.and his family life suffered. He ultimately had suicidal thoughts. Counselling at the last moment diverted a dangerous spiral.
Chris began COPE (Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday. There are 5 couples per session with a team approach. It has proved successful.
(Editor's Note: Lt. Col. Chris Linford's book is published by Friesen Press. A portion of the proceeds of sales will be donated to the Veteran's Transition Program. For more information on this book, go to this site: aWarriorRising.com)
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