The Bear Minimum

Many communities in Cumbria are in mourning now, and I feel for them all.

I am, of course, writing of Derrick Bird and his actions in Cumbria on Wednesday. As a mental health professional, I sit and think of how those left behind will be reeling. Of how the man’s two daughters will be feeling right now, one of them being a new mother. I think of how the man’s ailing mother will be feeling, and the rest of their family.

I think of the poor witnesses who looked into the eyes of a man who might or might not shoot them, for no other reason than ‘because’. I think of the families of those Bird shot without reason, those who’ve lost their spouse, father, mother, son, daughter. I turn my mind to what these people will need, the care and compassion, the gentle understanding and aid, and I realise what an immense clean up is left in the aftermath in the minds of those left behind.

Then, as a man, as a husband, as a law abiding citizen of fair Britain, I feel something very different. I feel a great anger at the selfish, heinous, and pathetic actions of a weak and disgusting person. He was in trouble and his solution is to kill twelve innocent people? Then, of course, because he’s a coward, he turns the gun on himself. He not only robs numerous families of their loved ones, he robs the country of the closure of seeing him convicted, of seeing remorse or insanity, of knowing why.

I feel no compassion for the man, none at all. I’ve seen many people in the midst of a complete break down, and not one of them went off and shot anyone. We’re talking about people who’ve endured violent crimes, abuse, and psychosis, and not one of them harmed another person. I know what the human mind is capable of, the strength and resilience, and in that I can rest assured that those left behind after this will heal, will be able to live. But those victims are denied that.