SAVING LIVES
Soldier Armylifegavemestructure, butwhatwasImissing out on? Dawn Barrow, 40, Tiverton, Devon
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lutching the teddy that my daughter Sian had given me, I handed it over to a little boy. He needs it more than I do, I thought. See, it was March 2003 and we were in the A&E department of a makeshift 200-bed hospital in Iraq. The little boy had just undergone a double leg amputation, days after witnessing his uncle being shot. Tragedies no child should experience. But this conflict had ripped every ounce of normality from life. Though it was tough to witness, this was all part of the world I’d signed up for. It was 1999 when I’d decided to join the Army. I was 20, a single mother to Sian, then three. But I felt lost, no idea what path to take in life. I knew I needed to plan my future so my daughter had hers. ‘I need direction,’ I sobbed to my mum Lesley, then 49. ‘How about joining the Army? Routine, discipline, something to work towards,’ she suggested. It certainly wasn’t an option I’d ever considered. Yet the more Mum and I discussed the idea, the more I liked it. Leaving Sian behind was a terrifying prospect. But we decided that she would stay with Mum while
I worked on our future. There were no better hands to leave her in. In November 2000, when Sian was 4, I enlisted. And after eight months of training, I qualified as a combat medical technician. Working long shifts in medical units, looking after servicemen and women, I loved every minute. It gave me purpose – a purpose to help others. In 2003, I was deployed to Iraq to work in the advance trauma life-support unit. My biggest challenge yet. ‘I’ll see you soon,’ I waved goodbye to Sian. Though I missed her like crazy, there was barely time to think about home. Working 18-hour shifts out on call with the doctor, or at our makeshift hospital, it was intense. There was a constant threat of bombs and chemical attacks. And seeing decapitated bodies became a daily occurrence for me. It was highly emotional and I cried a lot. Being away from Sian and Mum made it even harder. Sometimes, security risks meant that the post stopped and I’d go weeks without hearing from them. I knew I was missing out on watching Sian grow up. So, when I moved back to the UK after six months, I was relieved. Back home, I worked in medical units, travelling
WORDS: FIONA KINLOCH, CYNTHIA THOMPSON. PHOTOS: CYNTHIA THOMPSON
I was deployed to Iraq–my biggest challenge
Me in 2003: a tough but rewarding job
across the country. Sometimes I could take Sian with me. Sometimes not. When she started secondary school in 2007, I realised I’d already missed out on enough of her childhood. So, I made a decision. ‘I’m quitting the Army,’ I told Mum. It had served its purpose, given me direction in my younger years. But now I’d focus on Sian and my new relationship. I was ready for the next chapter of my life. A chapter that was
heralded by the birth of my little boy Alfie, in 2008. One day, as I was cradling him in my arms, I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have two beautiful children. My thoughts turned to those who weren’t so lucky. To those who couldn’t experience such a wonderful gift without help. It then became clear what direction my life would take next.
You should SEE ME NOW 37
