Depression
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Phil, a Truck Driver had a roll over and was badly injured, this was followed by severe Post Traumatic Stress.
Workcover assigned a Psychologist & Psychiatrist but neither had an understanding of the trauma Phil has endured.
When Phil contacted Trans-Help he was near suicidal.Working with him over the next 12 months has enabled him to look forward to and enjoy the future.
Phill quotes “If it was not for Trans-Help, I would not be alive today”
Here is his story...
My name is Phil Maple, I used to be a truck driver..
I was the driver of a 12 ton rigid from Brisbane through to Bowen. I had a bit of an accident up outta Cohen, 50 minutes north of Mackay, Nth Qld. I rolled the truck four times at 100km on the 24th Aug 2005.
I got banged up pretty bad, sustaining multiple injuries and having to be kick started twice. I went to the café upstairs twice, it had a sign saying “back in 15 minutes”, guess they had other plans for me… eh
Because it was the first night for me with this company, the manager at the time came with me to show me what was to be done. So we were 2 up driving, he escaped the accident with 25 stiches to his leg apparently and was discharged from Mackay hospital the same day. From that day to this I have never heard from him, guess he has his own demons to deal with.
As far as the company goes, the only time I have heard from them was 2 months ago, an office girl seeking my address to send me my group certificate…. Fantastic support – NOT!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I’m not here tonight looking for sympathy or pity, as that is not me.
I am hoping by being here and you hearing what a ride this has been for me, maybe you and I can improve the circumstances of drivers going through or unfortunately about to go through similar horrific situations that I faced… the humiliation, the vulnerability, loneliness, depression, lack of moral and emotional support, the suicidal thoughts and the social isolation. You might say what an exaggeration, I’m sorry no! It is the reality of the situation I faced and to a certain extent what I still face.
I guess I’m lucky my own strong will and in the clear light of day not really wanting to die has kept me going.
I got very desperate one night and I rang a radio station in Sydney and asked for a friend. Fortunately a lady truck driver named Betty was listening and rang me. She drives for Toll on contract to Woolworths out of Minchinbury, NSW. Finally there was someone from the industry who knew what I was going through and could relate to all this as she was in the industry. It was exactly what I needed, someone to understand, we remain in contact to this day.
In May, this year, whilst reading Truckin Life, I saw an article about a foundation newly formed, which was aiming to assist drivers and their families in situations similar to mine.
I thought Thank God! Not that I am religious. I decided to contact them and offer my assistance in any way I could… so maybe some other driver could be saved from the stress and crap that my journey has taken me through.
It was after the story in Truckin Life that I found my self in a situation where I needed desperate assistance. I contacted the Trans-Help Foundation as I had no where else to turn. Within 20 minutes the Trans-Help Foundation had every resource in place for me to be helped. I wasn’t humiliated in any way for asking for help, I was treated like a human being, which was kinda nice for a change.
Later that same day, just out of the blue, I got a call from a fellow named Rick Lay, also from the Trans-Help Foundation. Just making sure I was OK.
He is a truckie on the road himself and again he had been through a horrific circumstance too and knew where my ride had taken me.
The Trans-Help Foundation has been so encouraging. I have started to feel confident. They have been there though some of my darkest moments, even though they will probably never realise it. Knowing that they are just a phone call away, I am finally starting to feel safe again.
What has amazed me is they were not trying to blow their own trumpet or being FIG JAM, these are just genuine real people assisting others in real situations. Situations they have experienced and knew how to deal with it and inspiring other people to further help themselves.
I would like to thank the Trans-Help Foundation for the assistance given to me. I would also like to thank Truckin Life for their care and support in telling my story.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I encourage you to form a partnership with the Trans-Help Foundation, as you will be saving lives by helping and supporting drivers and their families out there who need it within the industry.
It is through the inspiration of the assistance given by the Trans-Help Foundation that has given me the courage to speaking here tonight. If my story can assist to make sure life is easier for any driver when they encounter the unfortunate situation of trauma it has been worth it.
Thank you for taking the time to listen..
The following is some of the endurance's that Phil faced… and the reality of the system that is in place for support when in desperate need
1. Being told by the hospital after 7 days in intensive care and 7 days in general ward that I was being discharged and that I had to arrange my own flight back to Brisbane
2. Being told by the hospital that I had to arrange a taxi to the airport, as no ambulance transport was available. Fortunately a nurse contacted a Rotary who had voluntary support and to me to the airport at MacKay and seen me onto the plane. I slapped them $20 donation for the help (they didn’t want to take it)
3. Having a letter from the surgeon at the hospital advising airport security staff that I had a full back brace so I could get through security. Not accepted and they took me to an office where I had to strip off so they could check. Totally humiliating.
4. Trying to fill out the workcover forms so I could get a claim so I could see doctors etc in Brisbane and get some money through. After several phonecalls and a lot of stress I was finally put in touch with a person from workcover was able to assist me to ensure it went through rapidly.
5. Seeing the neurosurgeon in Brisbane, his secretary couldn’t get hold of the rehab people at the Prince Charles Hospital. So I was given the Drs name and number to make my own appointment. After many phonecalls to an answering machine, I finally received a call to advise me that I was unable to obtain an appointment until March 2006. This was just great… why the hell was I kick started from the accident, why couldn’t I have been left to die. I relocated to NSW to get Rehab there, 2 weeks after I shifted I received a phone call from Qld to say they had a cancellation and could fit me in… that was 3 months after my accident.
6. I was treated to a flogging by a person I trusted who was drunk was all banged up, not long out of hospital at the time, normal circumstances I would have put this person on their arse, but due to the circumstances I had to ring the police.
7. The police ended up assisting me to get me out of the situation with my gear. I had no where else to turn in Qld, so the police to me to a homeless men’s home in Brisbane, where I had to hand in my pain killers and was only able to take them when a nurse was on duty. I was frightened, depressed and really did want to die. I was now amongst drug dealers, alcoholics, con men and criminals… I just had to survive somehow.
8. I was there for 5 days, when friends in NSW became aware of my situation and organised to get me to NSW. In mid September opened their home to me, where I stayed for the next 2 months until I got a unit. As I was experiencing flash backs, lots of pain and walking all hours of the night, I needed to be on my own so I didn’t disturb no one.
9. I was walking the streets til 1,2,3 o’clock in the morning here in Springwood, the pain was becoming too much, the depression, anxiety, loneliness and lack of support and a feeling of actual worthlessness wanting to throw myself off the bridge here onto the freeway or under a truck on the highway. Somehow I got through wall this, I don’t know how to this day, but the fact I got through is all that matters.
10. Not opening up to the doctors about any of this for fear of ending up in a Psych hospital and being forgotten
11. I made a conscious decision not to have any prescription drugs in the unit so there was no temptation.
12. All the humiliation, vulnerability, depression I got through, by myself proved useless in the end.. I was a coward and I didn’t want to die alone.. but thanks to Betty and you and Rick, Dianne you have all made me see life’s worth fighting for,
Note: Phil contacted Trans-Help early hours one morning following one of those nights on the bridge in Springwood and we have worked with him since. With a bit of support, guidance and understanding, Phil has a future to live for.