04/08/2024
***de and Me
Construction Buddies is listening to you that’s why I share my story to help others in the to reduce the
Mike's Story
Thirteen years ago, I tried several times to end my life. I'd been hit by one huge loss after another, at a time when my state of mind was already troubled.
My best mate had died, My Mum had died, I'd split up from my wife and at work I'd been made redundant.
Things got so bad that I spent several weeks in a mental hospital.
There was no-one to talk to, even when I asked.
The staff kept saying they'd be with me soon but it never happened, so I just wanted to leave.
When I did get out, I decided to stop taking the drugs they'd given me. They kept me calm but I didn’t feel like they solved the problem.
I'm not suggesting that anyone else should do this but for me it worked.
Rebuilding my life
I thought that I could rebuild my life and decided I had to get out of my empty apartment during the day. This would stop me sitting there, with my mind inventing all sorts of stories that weren't true and then multiplying them.
What really helped was taking up a hobby. I turned my garage into a man cave with a sauna, hot tub, TV and a gym
This was the start of my recovery. I also got into more social dancing - jive and salsa.
Then I got back into work and was determined to move forward. I had almost no time to think crazy thoughts. Don't get me wrong - I still think silly things sometimes but now I control it, because I know it's not real.
Several years later, I met Tracey, the amazing woman who would become my wife. married 10 years now.
My life has since gone from strength to strength. I reached the point where I wanted to tell my story and help other people who might be struggling,
or worried about others who are.
Making a difference at car shows
I had a tax rebate plus trading in my old car, enabled me to buy an eye-catching vehicle that I knew I could use to get people talking.
Now I take the Bentley, plus a banner telling my story, to car shows around England.
Lots of people come and look at my car and stop to read the banner. Their faces show they are really moved by my story.
It feels great to see that I can help them to open up, in a way they would not normally do.
I can see the relief on the faces of the people who talk to me - relief that someone is there listening to them at a car show.
It's not what they were expecting from the show, or from me.
It's good to talk and have the ability to Listen
I may have a cheap Bentley car and it may look flash but due to what I do to help people like you I can’t afford to buy my own house as all spare money goes on helping others as much as I can,
You don't realise how many other people are going through the same thing!
***de
