Hey Guys
October last year and I was travelling to Brighton alongside my Dad. Out of nowhere a car loses control and hits us side on, luckily for us we were all ok. I was badly winded which was likely due to the seatbelt and fell to my knees as I left the car but all seemed ok.
Both cars however were written off and the Women occupying the other vehicle appeared badly injured. Two vehicles stopped to give us a helping hand. One contained a trainee doctor which was useful. I then had to climb through the window into the car to get her out. I had to navigate my way over dark blood to get to her. She appeared unconscious and snoring very heavily. I removed her seatbelt and after instruction by the nurse on the phone got her out the vehicle. The woman was helicoptered away and died later that night. A sad time for her family and I wish them all the best.
For a lot of people this experience would be traumatic. I went into flight or fight at the time and tried to do the best I could to help the woman out. This being said I did not know the woman personally and there is tragedy every day. This is what I keep telling myself. I try to disconnect myself away from this isolated situation. In Africa lots of people are dying every single day. Many people are murdered in south America over drug wars and North Korea is fucked. Lots of people are experiencing tragedy’s and terrors every day so in theory why should I get upset over this one isolated event. The answer is I wont let it. A lot of people are so wrapped up in there perfect western lives that when things like this happen its like there world comes crashing down and they think the worlds a horrible place. As I said I didn’t know the women and was not going to let it effect me more or less than other tragedy out there.
This being said I was clearly traumatised for a good few weeks. It was the first time I experienced death first hand after all. RIP and best wishes to the family involved. It was at this stage when my solicitors got in touch with me. This was when I was met with my ethical conundrum. My financial situation is extremely poor. I am 2K into my overdraft and still live at home. I am 24 years and have just left University. I had minor whiplash and that was it, the question became very apparent. Do I try and go for the lot and go aboard this Post traumatic Gold rush?
Would this make me a bad person I asked myself?. I asked my friends and they instructed that I milk it as much as I can. Robin Hood comes to mind as a reference. Quickly I realised Fuck the Man, lets get the lot. This wont affect her family right?
There’s a link of what you can get.
http://www.holmes-hills.co.uk/articles/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd-compensation-amounts/
As humans we have progressed through capitalizing on situations where we can gain advantage. We find loopholes and in it success. I see this as a loophole that humans must capitalize on. Throughout our lives we will all be put in situations where we get beat up by the big fish and there is nothing we can do about it. Therefore to become our best selves we need to be constantly pushing ourselves to find edges in the rare spots we can so we get to where we want to be. We need to work hard, educate ourselves and push loopholes whenever we can. This is how we find success. After careful deliberation I came to the conclusion I had to make the most out of this situation.
So this is where I am now, In two weeks I have a meeting with a psychologist and this will impact if I get awarded PTS or not. I have a long thought out strategy in place and will be making the most out of this Gold Rush.
Yours sincerely Ross Puffin
Ross Puffin and his magic beans 