We are not playing lawn bowls after all
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382326)
Rockingham, Australia
February 10, 2019 2:10am CST
We had intended to go to community lawn bowls for the month of February. This competition is held each Friday and is meant to be a fun night for those who don’t normally play bowls.
We have a team of four but so far we’ve missed both matches. The husband of the couple we play with is a Vietnam veteran and is on a TPI pension (Totally and Permanently Incapacitated). We missed the first night as he wasn’t well then we had other commitments the next Friday. Now our friend still isn’t well and his wife has knee problems so we’ve decided to pull out of the competition completely. It doesn’t worry us too much although it was a bit of fun.
We worry for our friend and his wife. His problems are with his mental health and last time he relapsed he had six weeks in hospital. He is one of a group that Vince plays golf with. Three of the group are TPI veterans and all have trouble coping with everyday situations. It’s very sad to see. They have all held down regular jobs for years but now they’re older the past seems to be coming back to haunt them.
14 people like this
15 responses
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Feb 19
In the photo you can see the bowling 'green' which in this case is artificial turf. You have two bowls each. They are weighted which means that when you roll the ball along the ground it curves to one side. You have to try to get it close to a smaller ball.
1 person likes this
@Janet357 (75638)
•
10 Feb 19
@JudyEv this is fun:) kinda easy to play but i think rolling the ball towards the small one is kinda challenging. We dont have it here. Perhaps it is only in australia. Thanks for the info ms. Judy. The picture above did not download when i asked you this. But i really appreciated more the second picture because it was more detailed.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
10 Feb 19
My brother in law is a Vietnam Vet and his problems are physical, he was exposed to agent orange. He never talks about his service though.
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@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
11 Feb 19
@JudyEv it has caused major heart and vein issues
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@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Feb 19
@BelleStarr And cancers too I think.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135847)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Feb 19
@JudyEv Yes they are. I worry about hubby as he was in Vietnam. So far he only has a bad dream sometimes.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Feb 19
I guess he is just one of many going through the same turmoil. It was a dreadful war but aren't they all?
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Feb 19
@wolfgirl569 I'm sure some manage to cope better than others. And no doubt it depends on their experiences.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209025)
• United States
10 Feb 19
That is too bad to hear. I hope for the best for him.
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@allknowing (153529)
• India
11 Feb 19
Not a nice feeling when friends go through hardship and specially when you cannot help them.
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
10 Feb 19
That is soooo sad. These should be the best days of their lives...
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Feb 19
They all coped quite well up until now when it seems to be catching up with them.
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Feb 19
That's very true and the problems seem to be compounding. In some ways they get a lot of help here. I think those coming back from Afghanistan etc are having much more trouble getting any help, All the health care for the Viet vets seems free and they get other benefits as well.
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
10 Feb 19
It's heart wrenching to see the difficulties some have to deal with.
1 person likes this
