Giving A Break To Full-Time Veteran Carers

They call themselves the 'Combat PTSD Angels', and they care for their veteran partners on a full time basis.

The group, based in Liverpool, has some 400 members, who meet up to provide sympathy and support.

Now a Liverpool carers’ charity, Local Solutions, is offering them respite breaks from hotel stays to watersports.

All the women's partners are former service personnel who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Susan McInally’s husband served eight years with the King's Own Scottish Borderers in Northern Ireland, and has as many as 60 flashbacks per day.

She says:

"Sometimes his mind will interpret us as being the enemy.

"He wont know whats been happening, quite often wont know who i am, quite often wont know who family members are

"[His] training kicks in...we're something to be got out the way."

Alison Evans met her husband while serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps in Afghanistan.

She told Forces News he was diagnosed with PTSD in 2010, but was sent back for another tour of duty.

"I get asked 'why is daddy being so grumpy' and 'why's daddy angry at me'," she says.

"You just have to explain, 'daddy's not well'."

The need for support and empathy led Sue McInally to set up PTSD Angels.

"We come down once a month, we have a brew, we have a moan, give each other suggestions," she says.