First the Plane Crash, then the PTSD

Bend Don't Break

This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Sande Higgins, an RCMP member who bravely shares her unique story of survival, followed by trauma.

In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Sande who, several years ago, boarded a plane five days before getting married to the love of her life, to moments later finding herself as a survivor. Sande describes the traumatizing experience and how it accompanied her in silence for many years, painfully but away from the sight of her close ones. Sande has remained resilient in the face of all the different obstacles she had to overcome and shares her story to encourage anyone suffering to seek help. Listen to this inspiring story!

Key Takeaways:

[2:53] Sande shares her background and how she became part of the RCMP.

[5:19] Sande expands on her experience in residential schools.

[6:45] Sande describes the mounted community.

[8:12] Each member had their own home at the mounted community.

[9:25] When the incident occurred, Sande was days away from her wedding. She talks about her relationship with her partner back then.

[12:46] Sande boarded the plane, and nothing seemed odd.

[15:17] What happened on July 4th?

[20:24] What is Telecom?

[21:18] Sande stops and tries to process what just happened.

[23:25] Sande talks about her injuries.

[25:45] Sande made sure everyone was all right.

[28:00] Sande got married five days after the incident.

[28:41] Sande returned to work pretty fast; she explained what that looked like.

[30:23] Before getting back to work, Sande consulted a psychologist.

[33:25] Sande had a son; she is convinced he saved her; shifting the focus was the key to starting healing.

[38:15] Sande confesses having thoughts of dying.

[39:11] Sande’s doctor told her she had PTSD years after the event.

[40:55] Sande receives a treatment plan for her PTSD.

[43:23] Sande talks about where she is on her journey today.

[45:18] How does Sande see a change in perspectives in the RCMP regarding mental health?

[47:33] Sande discusses survivor’s guilt.

[48:58] It is never too late to ask for help.

Mentioned in this Episode:

RCMP Royal Canadian Mounted Police

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