Tri-Service

Daddy Never Came Back From Afghanistan

Last month Army & You spoke to a soldier's young daughter about how PTSD affected her family's life. This is her story...

I was born in April. My daddy was 22 and in the Army. He wasn't there when I was born as he was away. He came to see me when I was two weeks old. He never put me down; I was a daddy's girl already.

I was two months old when mummy and I went to live in Cyprus for six months with daddy. He was so proud of me and showed me off to all the other soldiers. He would come home whenever he could just to spend five minutes with me. When I got my first tooth he left work just to come and have a look. He said he loved me to the moon and back.

My first memory of my daddy was when he came home at weekends from work. I would sit by the window and then run out to him as soon as his car pulled up. He would pick me up and throw me in the air; he always caught me. He was so big and strong and looked so smart in his uniform. I was so proud of my daddy - he was my hero.

My daddy went to Afghanistan. I felt so scared but full of pride for my very brave daddy. I cried and couldn't stop. I wanted to hug him forever so that he wouldn't leave me. I was hugging him when I heard the dreadful sound of the train. This meant daddy had to let me go. I watched him go until I could see the train no more.

A few months later I was on the platform again; he was home from Afghanistan. As the people began to leave, I saw him, my daddy, my hero. I ran across the platform, everyone parted and let me through. As I reached him, he knelt down and opened his arms and I jumped into them. I could see people on the train and platform watching and crying. I had my daddy back for good or so I thought.

Daddy had been injured but I couldn't see it. He had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. My daddy was never the same. I was no longer daddy's girl. Daddy treated me like the enemy. When I ran to him, he told me to go away. I tried to cuddle him and he said he didn't want me anymore. I was so upset, angry and confused. I never thought daddy would hurt me like this.

Mummy told him to leave. Then daddy had a breakdown. He told us all the horrible things going on in his head. He said he loved us but had to go as he didn't want to hurt us anymore.

That was two years ago. I haven't seen him since. I will always love my daddy; he will always be my hero. Daddy went to Afghanistan but daddy never came back.