As a child, John imagined that when he grew up, he would live in the countryside or some sleepy Ulster country town enjoying a quiet somewhat conservative lifestyle, just like his parents. Life, however, has a way of presenting us with both challenges and opportunities when we least expect them. John was devastated when unexpected mental health problems brought his first-year University studies to a grinding halt. When all appeared lost, the University Medical Officer arranged for specialist, professional help which got him through this difficult time. He was allowed to repeat first-year studies and eventually graduated with a BA. Motivated by the treatment and support he received during his illness, John made the somewhat unexpected decision to become a Social Worker.
Some years later, when John was working in Belfast, Ulster descended into vicious inter-communal violence, and he regularly witnessed the riots, bombings and gun-fights that were commonplace in the streets where his clients lived. When he transferred to a job in Londonderry things were no better. These were scary and stressful at times. John survived without physical or psychological damage and concedes that this experience may even have been character forming.! Then, when he was offered a job in sub-tropical Brisbane, he took the radical decision to move his wife and three young children half-way across the world to Australia: a country they knew nothing about! John relished this adventure, settled into his new job, and he and his family moved into a new house in the city outskirts.
Never, a gifted student, John was surprised when his Australian colleagues encouraged him to undertake part-time, post-graduate studies. He accepted this challenge and eventually gained a PhD. At school, John was always one of the last to finish in cross-country races. In Queensland, however, friends encouraged him to enter "fun runs", and he eventually completed a marathon. John's mental health problems have recurred briefly from time to time; he's had alcohol-related issues, and he has suffered from prostate cancer. First class professional treatment and support is available in Brisbane, and this has enabled him to get him back on track and to enjoy life with his wife and family.
Now in the "golden years" of retirement John has written this candid and sometimes hilarious autobiography. He hopes that it will inspire ordinary people, like himself, to live life to the full, but if challenged by health or substance abuse problems to reach out for professional help and support.
