Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Five Villa Tattoos on April 23, 2016, 12:55:16 PM
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Been meaning to write this for some time but now as I wait in the pub prior to another defeat I have finally built up the courage to do so.
I was diagnosed as having PTSD three years ago. after an horrific assault whilst at work. (I'm a prison officer). The details I won't bore you with.
So how do the Villa figure in all this?
Well they're my "old me" time. Away from horrific memories and thoughts, I can just be the old me , prior to my assault. At least what I think the old me was like. Another face in the Holte.
No one judges me and The Holte has become my sanctuary from myself. Even for just 90 minutes. The handshakes when I arrive, from the same old downtrodden faces, a knowing nod and smile from others, the wisecracks, wondering how many we'll lose by,the singing, the passion from us fans. I don't even know most people's names.
On the Holte I'm just a VILLA fan, as I have been ,thanks to my Dad, for over 40 years. Not the broken person I am elsewhere.
As shit as this season has been I'd like to thank you, my fellow Villa fans for being the passionate and proud people you all are. I, at least, appreciate everyone of you from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks for reading and UP THE VILLA.
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Well worth sharing, and brave to do so. Good luck with everything.
And I'm glad at least one of us seems to enjoy the games!
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The game itself, a definite no!! 😊
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Really brave and honest post. All the best to you FVT.
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Up The Villa.
Good luck with your journey.
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If you ever need somebody to have a chinwag with - I've been living with PTSD too.
Enjoy the game!
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Well done mate.
More power to you for the recovery you are making.
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You're amongst friends here, hope there are many better times ahead for you and Villa.
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Yes it's a good constant to have in your life. When I was caring for my mom it was a perfect excuse to escape and have some 'me time' for a couple of hours. And the point about the crowd is so true, I don't know the name of the guy next to me but we've chatted about how going there helped him after his dad died.
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And colleagues, Don't let the b@astards grind you down!
Good luck and all the best.
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Good luck Mate,
brave post.
Strange, but good, to think that a place as unremittingly awful as Villa Park this season can be giving some comfort to one of our own.
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You sound like a very brave person deep down. All the very best for your future recovery. I really hope you enjoy the game today and there some goals to celebrate on the terrace.
UTV
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UTV mate
Brave post 👍🏻👍🏻
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What a lovely post - an oasis of cheery humanity in a sea of doom
Good on you.
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Lovely post.
Good luck with your recovery
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Good luck to you, my friend.
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I really enjoyed your post - thanks for sharing it with us all.
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Good luck to you, I'm glad the Villa a doing something positive for you.
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Good on you mate for posting that.
Let's hope there are good times ahead for all of us.
Good luck, stay strong. UTV
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What a great post. As a (supposed) Villa fan once said, "we're all in this together". It's strange how we often find strength and support in the most unlikely of places.
The best of luck to you, VFT.
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Lovely post. Good luck.
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Thanks for sharing and all the best. Best part about going is the banter, footballers on show would be nice mind.
UTV
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Best wishes to you FVT
UTV
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FVT - really brave post.
Keep positive buddy, I know it must be difficult but you are one of the family and we look after our own so you are never alone.
Take care
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top man
its what makes us who we are, we didnt choose we were chosen
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Best of luck FVT - I work with people experiencing PTSD and will say that with the right help there is an end to it - I hope you find it quickly.
I also recognise Villa as a refuge - when I was in my teens (mid-70's) life was a little complicated at home and in school, it was Villa and the Holte faithful that gave me stability and something positive (hard to recognise that these days) I desperately needed. There are many stories around the Villa that are never told about how they positively change people's lives - it is more important than the football to be honest.
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Thanks for sharing FVT, and I wish you all the best in your recovery.
Whilst by no means comparable, I had a difficult second half of last year which resulted in suffering with post concussion and depression. Although I thought I was making progress, I was continuously being told by friends and family that my personality was very different, making me question myself even more. However, through this time Saturday afternoons at the Villa with my youngest son allowed me to express happiness (infrequently), anger, frustration and despair, yet nonetheless feel normal for doing so.
Keep going and remember your Villa family will always be here for you.
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Nice post ZV.
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Just got back. Would just like to thank everyone who has replied. It has been very touching to say the least.
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All the very best with your recovery, FVT.
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Yeah brave post FTV, all the best with your recovery
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uplifting post of the year, all the best to you
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Brave post and good luck..I still go to the park with my daughter and although the football is shit I still enjoy the laughs and the banter. It does take you away from ordinary life. I call it my Alice in wonderland 90 minutes.
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Good on you mate. Best of luck.
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Glad we can help and good luck and let hope for full recovery for you and the useless football team.