About Andrew:
I used to be born with Cystic Fibrosis (identified at three months previous) and have confronted quite a few challenges bodily and mentally all through my life.
In 1979, after I was born, the common lifespan for a CF affected person was simply 17 years. My mother and father by no means stored particulars of my situation from me, so I grew up absolutely conscious of my very own potential early mortality. This data, together with the fixed want for medical interventions and hospitalizations, positioned a substantial amount of psychological and bodily stress on me, but additionally inspired me to grab alternatives and attempt to take advantage of life.
I’m now coaching with a small group of mates to climb Mount Kilimanjaro on Could 27, 2025, with a purpose to raise money to support HeadsUpGuys.
WHAT WAS THE MAJOR TURNING POINT IN YOUR RECOVERY MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY
Once I was 37, I obtained a double lung transplant to deal with life threatening lung illness, and shortly afterwards I used to be in a bike accident that resulted in additional surgical procedures to my hip, leg, ankle, wrist and shoulder. This era broke me each mentally and bodily, and made me really feel like I wanted to retreat into my thoughts.
Even via this expertise, although, I really feel that life is gorgeous and treasured, and there’s nonetheless a lot to take pleasure in. Understanding that I might make it via such an impossibly difficult state of affairs has reinvigorated me to maintain dwelling life to the fullest.
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT REALLY HELPED?
- Taking remedies critically and staying active: Staying as wholesome as potential and remaining as lively as I can helps to maintain me mentally robust.
- Having fun with outside actions: Actions like fishing, climbing, and tenting have helped me find peace and reconnect with nature.
- Setting my very own tempo allowed me to maintain doing actions that I really like at an adjusted fee.
- Perspective on life: By every part that has been thrown at me, I’ve tried to concentrate on the wonder and preciousness of life.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER GUYS FIGHTING TO IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH?
- I’m not massive on giving recommendation; nonetheless, I might say that our minds are a robust instrument. This instrument for me is wonderful in its capability to assist get via troubling occasions if I can concentrate on the positives and wonders of life. (Give attention to the positives like a small job achieved or the way in which the solar rises and units, the sounds and smells of nature. It doesn’t at all times must be lots).
- I additionally compartmentalise lots. I don’t understand how I realized to do that but when I’m being overwhelmed by a state of affairs or in extreme ache I can “put it away” in my thoughts. I can field out ache and my mind received’t acknowledge it for a sure time period after which it is going to usually subside. Additionally, if I begin to have anxiousness about my well being and my mortality I’ll field it out and concentrate on both duties at hand, train, climbing, constructing one thing and so on. and shortly the anxiety will go away.
– Andrew Brownell, Armstrong B.C., Canada
Be a part of Andrew and his Associates in Supporting HeadsUpGuys
Be a part of Andrew Brownell and his neighborhood on an epic climb to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro to boost consciousness and funds for HeadsUpGuys, supporting males’s psychological well being, one step at a time. Collectively, we may also help males conquer their very own challenges, simply as Andrew will conquer Africa’s highest peak.
