Josh

The Reason I am fundraising is to spread the word through this amazing charity to tell people around the world that PTSD and complex PTSD can be cured and to tell people not to give in and let this evil disease win, here is my story and I am living proof you can be cured.

 Josh Griffiths joined the army aged 17 in 2006 and completed tours in Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland before he was deployed with Mercian Regiment to Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick 17 in October 2012.

Corporal Griffiths was awarded a prestigious Conspicuous Gallantry Cross and received a letter of gratitude from HRH Prince Charles who praised his ‘truly exceptional courage and selfless commitment to protect his comrades’. He said, “To say that I am full of admiration for your truly exceptional courage, initiative and endurance, not to mention your selfless commitment to protect your comrades, is a serious understatement.”

His Conspicuous Gallantry Cross was awarded for an act of outstanding bravery in counter-attacking enemy insurgents who had broken through into their barracks when in Afghanistan in 2013. This led to the enemy’s defeat and withdrawal from action, despite Corporal Griffiths being severely wounded throughout with a broken back and grenade fragments embedded millimetres from his left eye. Immediately afterwards, he was hospitalised back in the UK with his injuries.

Whilst making a full recovery from his injuries Cpl Griffiths suffered with complex PTSD as a result of the barracks attack, and numerous other deeply disturbing incidents during his tours of Afghanistan.

Seeking help for his CPTSD from both the Op Courage Veterans Mental Health Team and the Departments of Community Mental Health Team within the Donnington military base, he was told that there was no way to cure PTSD or CPTSD and he would have to manage CPTSD and its’ symptoms indefinitely. Having been told categorically there was no cure resulted in Josh losing all hope of a ‘normal’ life and feeling abandoned.

PTSDS and CPTSD can be cured, and fortunately Josh found that cure. He can now confidently look forward to his future with his family. He can take his little girl for a walk without thinking he is going to get shot from behind, he can sleep next to his fiancé without worrying he will hurt her in his previously disturbed sleep, he can play football with his friends and go to the supermarket without risk assessing every small detail.