FEATURES ” W
riting my thoughts as poetry helped me to cope with the changes to both our lives as I
watched my son’s transition from a raw recruit at 18, to a disabled war veteran at 22.”
During his tour of Afghanistan Kevin suffered a seizure caused, in part, by the pressure of three operational tours. Kevin never fully recovered and was medically discharged. The long-term effects for Kevin included ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, cognitive dysfunction and short- term memory loss.
SSAFA has helped Eleanor to cope. Now as Kevin’s carer, Eleanor is being supported by SSAFA as a member of their Families of Injured Service Personnel Support Group. Eleanor said:
“Kevin is classed as ‘moderately’ disabled which means he gets little outside help. It is a
constant battle but having SSAFA there makes things so much easier. We can talk things through and take things forward so that other families don’t have the same struggle. Talking to other mums helps you understand. Whatever your issues the chances are there will be someone in the support group who can offer help or support.
Eleanor recently compiled her poetry into a self-published collection ‘Run Fast, Keep Low’ and during a visit to the Imperial War Museum in Manchester began a conversation with a member of staff about her book which led to it being accepted into the Museum’s collection.
Eleanor said: “I am really delighted. The book is the story of a mum and how war affects families when sometimes the families get forgotten about.”
Words of recommendation from reviews on Amazon
“Brilliant writing the author seems to have got in my head! Everything she writes is how I feel! ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!”
“Eleanor Broaders’ book is an honest, amusing and heart wrenching collection of poems describing the stories that are entrenched within the heart of those who send their loved ones to war. And then have to pick up the pieces when they come home again. It has the capacity to make you cry and
laugh all at the same time, but although it will appeal to many, few will truly know the pain she so accurately captures. It is a book that you cannot help reading, despite having to keep putting it down in order to recover. You cannot resist picking it straight back up
again. For those who want to know what it is like being part of a military family today, this is a must.”
“This is an amazing tribute to all those who have been injured and their families. The poems are emotionally charged. As the mum of a Royal Marine who was injured, I felt the words run through my blood. Eleanor makes each word count for so many. Whilst it is devastating to read and if you are like me you will find yourself in tears – it is at the same time a truly beautifully written book. You will not be disappointed and even better, some of the money raised will be going to help SSAFA and Help for Heroes.”
Buy Eleanor’s book online through Amazon – with proceeds going to SSAFA and other military charities.
To find out more about SSAFA’s Support Group go to:
www.ssafa.org.uk
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