The day I was born I came into the world as a result of a 15 yr old mother and a 16 yr old father who had 2 girls pregnant at the same time (my brother is 6 months younger than me ) Taken away by the Salvation Army and put up for adoption. Not taken and given back to my now 16 yr old mother who has zero coping skills. Physical Abuse from as young as I can remember Age 9 cI was caught in a House Fire that killed my mothers Boyfriend and I succumb to Smoke inhalation and went into Respiratory Arrest. Which I survived but was the First real incident of Diagnosed Post Traumatic Stress. Abuse continued until age 14 when I fought back, which got me thrown out of the house to fend for myself. Age 16 I began running with a bad crowd and my Unconscious Anger had me fighting with anyone that challenged me or who I thought was a Bully. Age 23 I served 9 month of an 18 month sentence for Assault Bodily Harm for a Steroid fuel fight that got out of hand. But serving time was the best thing that happened as I got Parole and moved out west away from all the bad influences but still Diagnosed PTS I began to be a very anger adult. Then I became a Paramedic in 2000 which began an incredible career that I flourished in. Received the Highest Award BC Ambulance had for my work, selected to work with Special Operations but unknowingly added to my PTS. I became angry at the Bullying that was Chronic in the field. Due to my childhood abuse I was able to handle all the horrific things I saw and heard, but poor management and Peer Harassment and Bullying pushed me over the edge. I lost my family temporary, Job was on the line and the Darkness of PTS blinded me to any resolves. Then in Feb 2018 I had a Spiritual Rebirth, which had me find the lost kid who walked blind for 53 yrs. Now after using all my Pain and Suffering to develop a Strategy of Commitment to Consistency to what I proudly call Post Traumatic Stress Warrior Maintenance . It consist of Physical Training which not only help the body but the mind, Meditation, Breathing, Yoga Clean Eating and Counselling (Needed or checking in ) I do not have any real schooling about Mental Health or PTS but I have over 50 yrs of Life experience with 20 yrs being a Paramedic who has worked in some of the most challenging areas in Canada and BC. i seen and experienced all aspects of the worst parts of the Human condition, 100s of pronounced deaths. 5 pediatric deaths (I remember each one) 1000s of Overdoses. Assaulted, hit 5 times in the Ambulance. Survived 4 close death experiences, 3 Trauma 1 medical (PE) I have never tried to take my life due to my close call and my kids, as I grew up with no father and an abusive mother but I definitely thought about it many times. I want to speak out as I totally believe One Voice and reach many ears, even with the strong presence of the Stigma of Silence. I am a born story teller and when I have spoken out or given the chance, I will not disappoint
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Paramedic Randy Reinholdt
