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rocket5539's latest comments
ViewDate:
4th Dec 2020rocket5539 commented on:
Just joined so I'm introducing myself.Hi I am 57 and live in York I am a paramedic 20 years and currently work full time in in a GP practice I love the outdoors in particular wildcamping and bushcraftViewDate:
4th Dec 2020rocket5539 commented on:
Just joined so I'm introducing myself.Hi Celtwitch Just seen the date you posted this I do hope you have made some friends? I a 56 live in York, a Paramedic now work in a GP Practice. I love the outdoors and have a passion for wild camping in Woodland and bushcraft. I dont get on here much but have pressed the watching button so hopefully will get alerts ? how are you coping in these strange times we find ourselves in? well take care and stay safe oh are you really a whitch?ViewDate:
18th Sep 2020rocket5539 commented on:
Win this Beautiful BLUE TOPAZ and DIAMOND Ring worth £695would look great on my partners fingerViewDate:
24th Apr 2020rocket5539 commented on:
Win a Holiday for Two to Canada for Your Nominated NHS Worker!I would nominate my Partner Laura who works for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust. As well as dealing with the uncertainty of Covid19, Sadly her Father lost his battle with Cancer 6 days ago. RIP Adrian sadly missed.ViewDate:
2nd Jul 2019rocket5539 commented on:
Win a pair of tickets to Australia with Qantas!trip of a lifetime for me and my partnerViewDate:
9th Mar 2018rocket5539 commented on:
Win a Gtech Pro!Yes looks great and would certainly help around the home :-)ViewDate:
25th Mar 2017rocket5539 commented on:
Win an e-bike worth £799.99 from E-Bikes Direct!This would be a helpful addition to my goals of getting fit and tackling other issues going on I my life.ViewDate:
12th Mar 2017rocket5539 commented on:
Should the maximum age to join the Reserves be above or below 50?Reading the responses to this article it is clear there are many good, valid points for and against. My own view is that the max age should be above 50. If I could give my own example of why I feel this. I previously served as an Infantry Soldier 1987 - 1991. After this I joined the NHS as a Paramedic, taking extra skills and working in many different environments. At 51 I worked for 3 months in West Africa, Sierra Leone as a volunteer in an Ebola Treatment Centre. Recently I was at a conference and saw some Soldiers who were recruiting for Paramedics to join the army medical reserves. I enquired and spoke to a great guy, who was very passionate about what he does and on hearing I was an ex-squaddie and a Paramedic said I could apply as my skills and prior military experience would be valuable, and the upper age limit of 49 would not apply. Although I keep myself fit running 10 k sub 50 mins and enjoy time in the gym, it would be fair to say for a long time I have been looking for something meaningful to get involved with. In my career I have always gone the extra mile and stepped outside of the box, wanting to do the best for my patients and help my colleagues. I have a great family and enjoy time with my lady and the kids, but need something else. I completed my infantry training at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall back in the day. I now live in York and my kids have grown up on Strensall Common reliving my army days and having some great adventures with their crazy Dad. Having spoken to the army recruiter, I discussed with my long suffering partner and she agreed it would be perfect for me, she gave her full support. I completed the application, attended an open day at the now Strensall Army Medical Training Unit. Then I didn't hear anything I contacted York who said my application had been turned down because I was too old. He said I could appeal, so I did and last week was contacted to be told I was too old and there had to be a cut of age and that’s that. I tried to sound not bothered, but being told I am too old and the door was closed was like being hit in the face. Yes it is clear there needs to be a system in place but that system needs to be flexible enough to take on a holistic approach and be able to look at the whole person. I say this because not all people are the same, not all 52 year olds are the same. In my case at the very least with my prior military service to queen and country and NHS service around 26 + years, a face to face interview and physical assessment and then to know that I failed a test, well it would have been a fairer way to treat a person than simply being told I am too old! The news, is full of the increasing mental health problems in the UK, not just with returning soldiers having made the ultimate sacrifice for queen and country, battle scarred, wounded some having life changing injuries, some suffering with PTSD, but with the modern challenges our communities face and a growing ageing population some with multiple medical conditions mental health reaches far and wide. Worrying still it is clear we do not have the resources to successfully mange and treat these people. For me and I suspect many others to be allowed to do something they are interested in and enjoy which will help keep older men and women fit, active and make a valued contribution to society can only be a good thing. To simply say you are too old is I feel unacceptable. And can also have some negative effects on a person’s self-esteem. But this is just my opinion, the ramblings of a man is “too old”!