CHARITY


people who can say that Covid saved me. If it wasn’t for me catching it, I would have continued to ignore my symptoms. Looking back, a number of things I was feeling and experiencing now make sense to me and I realised that I had been displaying symptoms for a long time. The headaches would occur most days and last all day, despite painkillers. I would feel tired, but struggle to sleep. My personality changed too – I became fixated on work. I felt like I had to get involved in every investigation, flitting from one thing to another and ranting in emails. And I had pins and needles in my thigh, which I put down to nerve damage from an earlier injury.


I gained a lot of weight and had problems with my vision. My blood pressure was very high and I was initially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. All of these symptoms were put down to stress at work, poor health and a poor work/life balance, rather than the growing tumour. While I now look physically well and healthy, the impact this has had on my day-to-day life is massive. I had to immediately surrender my driving license, which means I have now lost my independence. I have to take numerous tablets every day and I need my wife to help me with this, as I get very confused. I find conversations very


draining, I get fatigued very quickly and I struggle to get my words out. I know what I want to say in my mind, I just can’t verbalise it. I have a weakness down my right side and still have trouble writing – it is upsetting not being able to spell my children’s names correctly. The worst impact has been on my


career. I have been told that it is likely my days of frontline policing are over, which is devastating. But the force has been very supportive throughout. I have been kept on full pay and my supervisors have consistently been there for me and my family. Staffordshire Police Federation has helped me every step of the way.


I visited the Police


Treatment Centre (PTC) in Auchterarder, Scotland, and the attention I received was amazing. They taught me coping mechanisms and relaxation techniques to help with my sleep. Doing my time at the PTC, they identified


I was suffering from trauma as a result of my brain injury following surgery. I have been diagnosed with PTSD for which I am receiving treatment through Staffordshire Police. I would encourage all officers to make sure they sign up to the PTC because you really do not know when you will need them.


I have also had a lot of support from a small but brilliant brain tumour charity called Brain Tumour Support (www. braintumoursupport.co.uk). The charity fills a massive void left by the NHS by


which Staffordshire Police is supporting, alongside Staffordshire Fire and Rescue and the Combined Service Barbarians, a rugby team made up of military personnel, veterans and emergency service staff. We have teams playing from the police, fire service and military, as well as teams from the public. They will be battling it out to win the Brain Tumour Support Trophy and Runners- Up trophy. The tournament is taking place on


Sunday 27 November and will raise money for Brain Tumour Support. It is my way of thanking them for all of the help they have given to me and my family. I know I am in a very fortunate position and have been very lucky to get a second chance at life. It has made me slow down and really appreciate people around me, especially my amazing family. I want to get the message out about my story to raise awareness, so other


“I know I am in a very fortunate position and have been very lucky to get a second chance at life”


providing support to anyone affected by a brain tumour, at any point from the diagnosis and for as long as support is needed. They not only support the patients themselves, but the dedicated families, carers and loved ones who are dealing with the day-to-day impact of a brain tumour.


The charity provides specialist,


tailormade, services through one-to-one and group sessions, as well as online and telephone support and specialist counselling. The charity has given me a new lease of life by fundraising for them. My next fundraising endeavour is a Charity Rugby sevens tournament,


people don’t ignore their symptoms. It is important to seek help and advice as


early as possible from their GPs. Sharing the incredible work being done by small charities, such as Brain Tumour Support, is a great way to do this.


If you are able to support Brain Tumour Support in any way, please visit Dave & Elijah’s fund for Brain Tumour Support, organised by David Stubbs.


Dave’s BTS Champion Fund page has updates on all of his fundraising activities. including the Rugby sevens, and a link to his story: www.braintumoursupport.co.uk/dave- and-elijah-champion-fund


37 | POLICE | OCTOBER 2022


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