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Post by frankfurt gull on Nov 12, 2009 18:09:05 GMT
German football fans were stunned by the news that the 32 year old Hannover and German National goalkeeper Robert Enke committed suicide on Tuesday evening. He was hit by a train on a level crossing close to his home. He leaves a wife and an adopted 5 year old daughter. It appears that he suffered from depression. The German International against Chile on Saturday has been cancelled.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Nov 12, 2009 20:29:29 GMT
Tragic. I read today that one of the things that preoccupied his thoughts most, having seen his daughter die, was that his adopted daughter would be taken away from him because of his depression. Rest in peace.
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merse
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Post by merse on Nov 12, 2009 20:51:18 GMT
Robert Enke had suffered depression for over six years and it was compounded a couple of years ago when his two year old daughter died of heart disease. He and his wife adopted a little five year old girl six months ago and he had become paranoid that should his depression become public knowledge that adoption would be revoked and they would lose her. The person who could probably post most knowledgeably on here on this subject is Jamie, but I would point out that there are two distinct types of depression: manic depression which is a mental illness; and clinical depression which is not. I suffered clinical depression following the death of a young person really close to me in which questions were asked as to my lack of awareness of their state of mind and whether or not I had failed in my care of duty as to their welfare..............what followed was the break up of my then relationship and the resultant loss of contact with the lovely little girl who lit up my life as well as her mother who I loved very much. I became depressed and used to descend into it as if someone had poured ink into a glass of clear water. What was so important to me and is essential for anyone who suffers this, is that my best and most trustworthy friend was always there for me to listen and help me rise again. With their unceasing effort and help I climbed the trench side and emerged a stronger person and have never looked back since. I would urge anyone who knows someone who is depressed not to just say to them "pull yourself together" but to put yourself at their disposal no matter the time of day or the personal inconvenience it may cause you. If they trust themselves to you, do not let them down and if and when they emerge out of the other side of their suffering you will feel a warm glow of satifaction and have a friend for life.
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bear
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Post by bear on Nov 12, 2009 21:45:18 GMT
merse that is a truly moving and heartfelt post.
You are very brave to share your emotions like this. Many people will just think you are a bit of a nutter. And yet it takes a real man to recognise that the help needed is more than trite words and platitudes.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Nov 12, 2009 23:51:19 GMT
It is very tragic news that Robert Enke aged just 32 took his life and I thank you merse for you open and honest post about the effects depression had on you.
I will never forget the day a good friend and fellow milkman who was only 23 years old and a really great sportsman, put a hose in the exhaust pipe of his car up on Dartmoor, such a shame and such a waste of a young life.
I have made many posts on here where I have said I will never walk past anyone who calls out for help from me, by stopping and talking I may just make the difference that will prevent them from doing something they may never be able to reverse.
depression is a horrible thing to suffer and made even worse if you feel you are all alone and no one cares, I once knew that feeling too well I'm afraid, but I was strong enough in the end to get past it all. I could never let anyone feel they were alone and nobody cared, there has been times I have taken on far too much with others problems, but to walk away would never be an option.
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tufc01
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Post by tufc01 on Nov 13, 2009 0:08:36 GMT
I feel for his family, i really do, another tragedy befallen upon a family that has already suffered what is possibly the worst thing that can happen to anyone, as we never EVER expect to lose one of our own children. We are supposed protect them, nurture them and watch them grow up to be the apple of our eye.
We all suffer a tragedies at some point in our life and when it happens we feel that our world has come to an end. Some people are much stronger than others and they are able to cope with it much better and deal with it in a different way. It still hurts like hell though. Its is something that you never get over, never ever.
When it initially happens they are horrible times, you walk around in a complete daze, you don't truly know what is going on, you can't sleep so your thought process is clouded even more. You can't think straight at all. You ask yourself a million times, why me? why? Its not fair.
Just as heartbreaking and distressing is the funeral. There can be fewer things as harrowing as watching the coffin of your child arriving in the hearse.
I would imagine that different people handle things in different ways. Yes is does make you a stronger person in some respects, but it also makes you vulnerable, it certainly makes you over protective of your surviving children, probably too over protective. They become the absolute centre of your life, although there is a danger that you wrap them in cotton wool.
Then there are the questions and regrets; was there something different we could have done, what about if this happened or that happened, these can surface at ANY time, 1 day later or 14 years later it makes no difference.
Time passes and the pain eases but it NEVER goes away. The death of your own child, your own flesh and blood, is something that you wouldn't wish on anyone.
I know it is a very emotive subject and there are those that will question why he took his own life. But it really is difficult to fully comprehend the extent of the hurt that he must have been suffering. There but for the grace of god go i springs to mind.
Life is precious and we should never take it for granted.
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Post by aussie on Nov 13, 2009 11:19:29 GMT
Can`t really add to that guys, RIP Enke!
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Post by frankfurt gull on Nov 15, 2009 15:03:35 GMT
The funeral service was held this morning at the AWD Football Stadium in Hannover. It was shown live on television and was attended by family, friends, colleague footballers including the whole German National team, VIP´s and an estimated 50,000 fans. The coffin was placed in the centre circle and carried off after the ceremony. Highlight for me was a very good effort at "You´ll Never Walk Alone" which was sung by all those in the Stadium in English. The only other time I´ve ever seen so many men with "sand" in their eyes is at the Menin Gate in Ypres when they play the Last Post every evening at 8 pm.
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Post by aussie on Nov 15, 2009 18:38:43 GMT
He must have been very well liked and respected, it sounds like the whole of Germany stopped to pay tribute! Must have been a very moving occasion! Hope his young family get over it!
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