‘I’m sorry I wasn’t resilient enough, when you called me a cruel name’ | Guest Blog

Earlier on today, we received a message via our Facebook page from a colleague on the thin green line. The message said:

“I have been assaulted a few times whilst on shift and have had a gun and various knives pointed at me.

“baseball bats too are often used as weapons against the NHS.

“Following a bad day I had at work I wanted to ask you,as a fellow emergency services friend, can I just send it to you to read?”

We have always said, that OUR voice, is YOUR voice.

It is always our honour to be able to share with our 265,000 followers, both in and outside of the emergency services, stories, accounts and blogs in relation to what is REALLY happening on the front line and what it can be like.

The more we share these personal accounts then, hopefully, the more people will become aware of the kind of abuse our colleagues have to endure on a daily basis.

And it is our hope, that the emergency services and general public can come together in the fight against those who assault, abuse and violate members of the emergency services:

These are the words of one of our colleagues: 

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be there when you needed a friend

“I’m sorry I didn’t get there quick enough right at the end

I’m sorry I wasn’t resilient enough, when you called me a cruel name

I’m sorry I didn’t show enough empathy when you needed someone to blame

I’m sorry for the pain you had to go through waiting for help to arrive

I’m sorry for the things I did to you to keep you alive

I’m sorry for the words I said when the job was through

I’m sorry if the words I said weren’t particularly true

I’m sorry if I have a cry too

I’m sorry if im human, just like you

I’m sorry to my family because im constantly late

I’m sorry to my children who stare at my vacant dinner plate

BUT………………

I’m not sorry if I accuse you of wasting my time

For my time is precious to those whose need is prime

For those who get a chance to tell me how happy they are Im not sorry I give them more time with their “little star”

I’m not sorry we give life back to the one that they love

And family thanks the stars above

As I get back from a full day shift, im so weary but still full of worry

I’ve made a difference and for that im not sorry” 

-Anonymous, from the #ThinGreenLine 

One of our admins has set up a closed group on Facebook for any member of the emergency services, both past and present, who would like to reach out to people who have experienced, endured and witnessed the same things as they have.

The group, called: ‘International Emergency Service Workers Support Group’ can be accessed here –> 

For many of us who have served, having a ‘place’ where you can talk to and confide in others about the things which you have experienced, can have a very positive effect on your well-being.

Got a blog, video or story for our team? Contact us anonymously using any of the contact details below. We are interested in emergency services related stories and videos from both civilians and serving members of the emergency services, NHS or armed forces. 

Our team comprises exclusively of former armed forces and emergency services personnel. 

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