September 10th 2019 is a day Rick will never forget. He was sitting at an intersection on his motorcycle when a car hit him from behind, sending him flying. The accident left him with a range of serious injuries, in addition to what Rick refers to as ‘the three’: PTSD, anxiety and depression. Writing poetry has provided Rick the opportunity to process the emotional pain and tap into his resiliency and strength. Below are four poems he has written.
Recreate Me
The day started out like most of them do….
By night’s end…. You won’t be you…
It happened in flash….. in the blink of an eye…
I’m happy to have survived…. I didn’t die….
I look much the same….. except what’s inside…
The person I was just wants to hide….
I’ve battled these three & they’re days when I’ve won..
Then I have days….. where am I from….?
I adjust as I go hoping to find…….
Some sort of balance within my mind….
I wish to say bye…. to all three….
I look for the day when I recreate me….
RMB 09/29/20
This Demon
I look at this demon…. It lives within me….
He challenges my ability to clearly see….
I start most days with him at my door….
The struggle is real…. Not one I can ignore….
This constant battle questions who I am….
Some days it’s hard to just make a stand…
I always manage to carry on…
I may feel weak but I know I’m strong…
This demon takes life from your very soul….
But it’s my life & I’ll not do what I’m told….
RMB 11/25/20
#Anxiety
This Isn’t a Dream
This is the 2nd of 3 you’ll see from me….
Another of which inhibits my ability to see…
How to describe this….. it haunts my soul……
Combined with the others it just wants to control….
You’ll see and hear what isn’t there…..
Believe what it says…. It doesn’t care….
You’ll sometimes battle with the way you react……
Then pray to God you’re able to retract…..
Get lost within yourself and just can’t find….
Pray every day that life would just rhyme…
You’ve no idea until this you’ve seen….
The nightmare of PTSD isn’t a dream….
RMB 11/26/20
#PTSD
Embrace This Demon
I can’t shake this thought & it scares me some…..
Memories buried with the lost & numb…..
Not a place I wish to live…..
Offer to someone or ever give….
Trapped in a world not knowing up from down…
Alone within the water & about to drown…..
Only depression knows how you feel…..
Moments in time it loves to steal…..
It takes without a second thought…..
Doesn’t care about being caught….
Embrace this demon & let it in….
Acknowledge its presence & you just may win…
RMB 11/27/20
#Depression
Chris has a BA from Simon Fraser University and a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. He is a current member of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. Chris has experience working with community agency, school and government programs. He has worked for a local Health Authority as a Clinical Counsellor in their substance abuse program working with both adults and youth. As an Assistant Program Manager at a large community-based agency, he assisted in the development and supervision of programming/outreach for at-risk youth and their families within the Surrey School District. Chris is a Canadian Ambassador for National Psychotherapy Day and is a guest speaker at the Adler School of Professional Psychology. Chris is the co-founder and organizer of the Original Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, an annual charity event in Vancouver, BC that attracts over 1,100 guests. Chris was on the Board of Directors for Rotary's REC for Kids from 2010-2011. This therapist assists individuals aged 8 yrs. and older who are experiencing depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, anger, parent- teen conflict, trauma, grief and substance use. Based on each client's unique situation, Chris utilizes a client-centered, eclectic counselling style by incorporating a variety of psychotherapy techniques and approaches. Chris also facilitates seminars and presentations on a range of different topics including: substance abuse/relapse prevention, positive psychology and general self-help.
