Hi, my name is Chris. I’d like to share the story of how I was extremely fortunate to have been introduced to the wonderful work of Quest for Life.
I’ve been an Ambulance Paramedic for 35 years. I worked in South West Sydney and, for the last 20 years, the South Coast at Jervis Bay. My working life has given me wonderful job security, a lifestyle that suits my family and many wonderful memories.
As an operational Paramedic, it also exposed me to many horrors that no person should ever have to see. About 7 years ago, I fell into a deep depression. With the assistance and support of my work, my family, and my medical team, I regained a level of functionality which allowed me to return to full-time duties. Since then, life had been a balancing act on the tightrope of emotions trying to avoid that dark pit that I visited. I described myself as ‘broken’ for many years after my depression and saw myself in that light
In October 2020, I was introduced to Quest’s Moving Beyond Trauma program by a life-long friend (a former Police Officer who himself had been greatly assisted by Quest). The effect on my health and wellbeing from attending this course is difficult to put into words.
The techniques shown to me and the absolute support provided by the staff at Quest led me to an understanding that I was not broken.
I had a normal reaction to a series of totally abnormal events, and I’d been providing support and care to others for so long, while all the time neglecting myself.
I’ve taken the concepts of self-care, meditation, mindfulness and acceptance of the things I cannot change and moved forward with a new sense of positivity, an appreciation for the beauty in nature that surrounds us, and a toolkit to tackle all that comes my way.
This was particularly useful as within 2 months of the course, I received an unwanted Christmas gift in the form of a cancer diagnosis. The same philosophy has sustained me through the initial stages of this trying journey.
My attendance at Quest was made affordable for me because of generous donations of supporters of the magnificent work that Quest does for so many.
Without that support, I may not have been able to attend at all. If that was the case, I may still be not working, caring for our community and hopefully making a positive difference in the lives of other Paramedics who may be struggling.
Any support you are able to give to Quest to continue their wonderful work will certainly assist others like me in the future.
Thanks for your time.
– Chris shares his story as part of Quest’s End of Financial Year Appeal.
Please DONATE to Quest’s EOFY Appeal and help people and communities to heal from trauma.
