Posted by DarrenG
on March 19, 2010
I’m rarely enraged to such an extent that I feel compelled to write a blog post immediately but this is one of those occasions. As an ex-serviceman it has struck a nerve but I feel certain that it will similarly anger other decent men and women who have no particular connection to the armed forces.
Earlier this morning I read news in a post on The Wandering brit blog about an odious, vile little example of human life who goes by the name of Karl Winn. Winn is the owner of WebEurope, a web design company based in Somerset whose client base I dearly hope will soon disappear.
When Winn was approached by a recruitment company looking to place ex-servicemen in work he chose to vent his narrow minded and particularly disgusting opinions.
he would rather recruit ex-drug dealers, convicts and child molesters’ than employ former servicemen or women.
Winn, 60, said he would rather ‘recruit ex-drug dealers, convicts and child molesters’ than employ former servicemen or women.
Continue reading…
Posted by DarrenG
on December 30, 2009
With New Year’s Eve only a day away the issue of alcohol consumption is one that concerns most of us.
But for me it is different as I have not been able to consume any alcoholic drink for some months. As I’m on a mix of oral morphine (a cough mixture like liquid version) and other strong pain killers as well as antibiotics on many occasions, on the few occasions where I have tried to enjoy a glass of beer or wine I have become very nauseous soon after.
Couple that with the difficulties I already have in getting about and the added problems that alcohol may bring mean I have chosen to abstain completely.
Continue reading…
Posted by DarrenG
on October 02, 2009
I’ve always been a vociferous supporter of the NHS and the staff who work within. But last week this was stretched to the very limit by a poor experience at Frimley Park Hospital.
Last Wednesday evening I had a pain begin in my left chest when I took a deep breath. I did the man thing, ignored it, went to bed and hoped it’d go away. When I awoke the next morning the pain was still present.
I tried to book an appointment with my GP but no slots were available. Instead I eventually got a call back mid afternoon from a Doctor at the surgery. Having explained the symptoms he told me I needed to present at A&E as it may be a blood clot. Having recently had an operation I was in the increased risk category apparently.
So off I toddled to A&E at my nearest hospital, Frimley Park and after some tests, an ECG and a chest x-ray it was decided that I needed a lung scan and so would have to stay overnight. I won’t pretend I was delighted but needs must and after 4hrs in A&E I was transferred to the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU). This is a ward with beds for short stay only, no TV’s, bedside lockers or other frills and comforts.
Continue reading…
