A FIREFIGHTER from Wirral is cycling from Pensby to south east Spain after a charity helped to “restore his life” following a devastating diagnosis.
Nick Dalby enlisted with Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service in 1975 when he was aged 21 but was discharged 20 years later due to receiving an injury on duty.
Nick snapped his Achilles tendon while training to be a personal trainer which left him unable to function as a firefighter.
Nick told the Globe: “At the time it had no impact on my mental condition.
“It remained dormant until about 10 years ago from when my decline was slow but steady.”
However, Nick said he began to experience the effects of his injury over the next 20 years.
Nick said: “It began to cause havoc. I felt unmanned and unworthy in my daily life.”
Nick attended doctor’s appointments to try and get to the bottom of his issues.
He said: “Dr Lesley Walker of Heswall and Pensby Group Practice was the catalyst to my recovery.
“We had exhausted all the tests and possibilities of my sleep and severe tiredness problems when she asked me a simple question, ‘was there anything troubling me?’”
“She must have seen something in my expression, and she held my hand and said, ‘tell me’. That simple act allowed me to confess my nightmares and dark thoughts.”
Nick then went on to be diagnosed with complex PTSD.
He said: “It was such a simple statement and the reality was devastating but it opened the road to my recovery.”
It was then suggested that Nick turned to The Firefighters Charity which offered him a week's rehabilitation with one-to-one sessions of psychiatric help.
Nick said: “The treatment was brutal and mentally exhausting but very effective.
“Because of the complexity of my case, I needed to return for another week.
“They were able to allow my wife to stay with me and enable me to be supported 24 hours even though a nurse was always on hand.”
Nick said despite still dealing with triggers thanks to the therapy he is able to deal with them.
He said: “Fortunately I am mostly recovered now because I was able to call on the help of the Firefighters Charity.
“There are still triggers than bring the nightmares back, but I am able to confront them.”
On Tuesday, August 23, Nick will set off on a 21-day, 2100km cycle to south east Spain to raise money for The Firefighters Charity.
So far, Nick has raised £1,195 out of his £2,100 target.
He said: “The charity also helps firefighters and their families recover from injuries and offers rehabilitation to that end.
“Their facilities are constantly filled with men and women who have given more than their time to do their job and I want to give back in whatever way I can to help support them.
“I don't know if I am mentally strong enough for this challenge but that is the point of it. I need to know.
“As for physically strong enough, I don't know that either, but I will do my best.”
You can visit Nick’s Just Giving page here.
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