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What a day it is another bloody hot day, at the moment I am
watching Daemon while Jessica and Kelli have gone to do some Christmas
shopping. I have all 3 air con’s going to keep the house cool, had them all
going yesterday as well.
Today I want to write a little about the forgotten victims
by that I mean people who witness terrible accidents or the drivers who are not
at fault but who still end up killing someone.
Think about the poor train driver who hits someone on the train line because
the person either chose to stand or lay on train tracks in order to die, or
because they were so drunk they didn't know where they were and wonder onto
train tracks and get hit by a train. The train driver has to live with the
knowledge they killed someone, or even worse is the poor train guard who has to
wonder back down the line to see what the train hit.
Yes it may be an occupational hazard for many like train
guards, rescue people, police officers but they are still victims they have
done no wrong and are exposed to horror.
For far too many years these people were overlooked, even
though we all know about post traumatic syndrome now days it doesn't make
things any better, just because something now has a name it doesn't stop it
happening.
We all know that these people have done no wrong and in fact
may be trying to do good, but still they have to experience such terrible
things and witness such horrible events and often they will not talk about what
they have witness. Many men feel that it
makes them weak to say they are having nightmares because of the horror they
have witness, so they suck it up and push on saying nothing and suffering in
silence.
Many people turn to alcohol to try and made the memories go
away, and then they are ridiculed because they have a drinking problem. Their loved ones try to help but because they
don't really understand the horror they have going through their head they are
unable to help.
Sometimes I think those who have died and their families are
given far more support than the forgotten victims. We all need to remember when
we see a horror crash on the road that there are more victims than just those
who are hurt or killed.
I know! I had a friend tell me that if she were to end it all, she'd lie on the tracks. I told her to think about the poor driver and the people who would have to clean her up!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good response, Susie.
DeleteI had a patient in the nursing home who suffered horribly from PTSD and had never been treated for it. He was in combat during WWII. It's not the same as a train engineer who can't help running over someone on the tracks, but we have to recognize how important it is for people to get the attention they need. So many people at the nursing home hated caring for that man because he would get upset if someone slammed a door. To him, it was like the sound of a bomb going off. These awful things happen and stay with people forever.
DeleteLove,
Janie
Yes my pop suffered from PTSD also because of his experiences during the second world war and would have to be admitted to hospital from time to time to be treated.
DeleteLately in our town, we have had 2 separate times of suicide by train. It is a awful thing to witness, and when you can't stop on a dime - Plus when others hear of it, it makes another want to do it shortly after. Terrible.
DeletePeople who choose suicide by train are selfish they don't think of the poor people who have to see what is left of them after the act is done
DeleteYou are so right. People forget about these victims but they can't forget the horror.
ReplyDeleteThank you, thought others would agree
DeleteVictims are never just the injured person.... It affects so many. Great post. Can you send me some of that sunny weather, we are freezing here in Northern California. :-)
ReplyDeleteIf I could send some of this heat I would, we are in for another bloody hot day here again. Pleased you liked the post
DeleteYou are dead correct, Jo-Anne, always the forgotten ones they have much pain for the rest of their lives along with their family and friends.
ReplyDeleteThat they do, and I think people should think about these forgotten victims more
DeleteThis is very true. Those people often get overlooked during a tragedy. Well written point!!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Valerie
Pleased you liked it
DeleteVery well put. Unfortunately, suicide (especially by train) is a very selfish pursuit.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree very selfish indeed.
DeleteThis is a really thoughtful post Jo-Anne. We often don't think about the other victims who suffer because of a horror of some sort. PTSD is nothing to laugh at and I thank the police and paramedics/fire rescue for all they do during a crisis.
ReplyDeleteI agree those who work in those professions are bloody marvellous and do not get the recognition they deserve, I am please you liked the post
DeleteGreat thoughts here Jo-Anne. I often think about how people such as train drivers spend the rest of their lives after killing someone through no fault of their own.
ReplyDeleteYes train drivers and guards do see such terrible things, things that will stay with them for life
DeleteSo very true, Jo-Anne. There are many forgotten victims. I just saw on the news that they are working on an immunization for PTSD. That'd be awesome!
ReplyDeleteYeah that would be bloody awesome indeed, not sure how it would work but anything that can help has to be a plus
DeleteSuicide in any form is traumatic for the people who find them--bloody or not. The people feel hopeless and that there is no other way out, but they don't realize how selfish it is. We get careless drunks up here who walk across the tracks fairly often right in front of trains. Awful! But we also get kids walking or on bikes who see one train pass and do not look for one coming the other direction. So sad. And there are people sitting in cars there who witness these terrible accidents. Noobdy talks about them, you're right.
ReplyDeleteYes I so agree, so many overlooked victims
Delete