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A traumatised veteran’s unlikely saviour

Former soldier Geoff Stear was plagued by PTSD, triggered by the smell of meat. It threatened his life, until a miraculous partnership gave him back his independence.

Like so many who serve, Falklands veteran Geoff Stear took trauma away with him - in his case a very particular reaction to the smell of meat. It was so powerful and debilitating that it made his life almost impossible, leading him to injure himself and endanger others as he tried to get away from the perceived danger. On several occasions it left him hospitalised – once with a broken neck - with no recollection of how he had got there. His life hit rock-bottom, until a chance meeting with a stranger changed everything.

In this heartwarming episode, Geoff introduces Dr Sian Williams to his unlikely saviour Charlie, whose capacity to intervene when danger threatens has given Geoff back his freedom and sense of worth.

Producer: Tom Alban

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29 minutes

Last on

Fri 24 Oct 2025 16:30

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  • Wed 22 Oct 2025 09:00
  • Fri 24 Oct 2025 16:30

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