A MAN ‘traumatised and suicidal’ after nearly being killed by a drunk driver has turned his life around.
Leamington supermarket worker Carl Bazeley struggled to get behind the wheel after the accident, which saw a car veer across the road and hit the one he was driving last March.
But after seeking the support of Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust counsellors, he realised many of his feelings were of guilt he survived the crash – unlike his sister Angela who died after being hit by a drunk driver in the 1980s.
Carl said: “She was 23 and married with two young children and I felt it was unfair she had died but I was still here. I hadn’t realised this until I was given the chance to talk about my life with a trained expert.
“He allowed me to come to terms with how I felt about Angela’s death and how I had linked it to my own situation after the crash.
“I now believe I survived for a reason and am feeling much more positive about my future.
“It has given me the strength to take back control. I am a lot more cautious when driving now but I can now get behind the wheel of a car without automatically thinking someone is going to smash into me.”
Since seeing his counsellor he has gone on to become an anti-drink drive advocate.
And now Carl is urging those suffering mental health issues to contact the partnership trust for free advice.
He said: “It takes just one phone call to access these life-changing services, but people often don’t seek the help they need. I want to help spread the message that it’s ok not to be ok. Don’t wait and don’t suffer. Be kind to yourself and call them – it’s that easy.
“I now feel I have been given a second chance for a reason and am keen use my experiences to warn about the dangers of drink driving.”
Call 024 7667 1090 to find out more about receiving support through Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust.
