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Matthew Heneghan

Freelance contributor

Matthew Heneghan was born in the U.K. and immigrated to Canada when he was five. He served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a medic for six years. Upon his honourable release, he became a civilian paramedic and worked in that role until 2017. After nearly 15 years, he was diagnosed with PTSD and was forced to recalculate his career trajectory. Though he took a step back from front-line work, he began a journey in writing.

    Latest from Matthew Heneghan

    First Person

    My PTSD made me worried I would freeze in an emergency. Then my neighbour had a heart attack

    Matthew Heneghan tried to minimize the stressors from his life after he was diagnosed with PTSD. That included giving up paramedic work. But when a neighbour was in need, instinct and training kicked in.
    Canada
    First Person

    Admitting I was an addict was hard. Then came the even harder part

    Being an alcoholic isn’t something that Matthew Heneghan openly shares with pride. But he still wants to share it publicly in the hopes it might help others seek the help they need.
    Canada
    First Person

    The Canadian flag felt heavy as I carried a fellow soldier's coffin. I still feel it 17 years later

    Matthew Heneghan was a pallbearer for Cpl. Andrew James Eykelenboom, a Canadian medic who was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan in 2006. That profound moment has stayed with Heneghan 17 years later, reminding him of all that was lost in that war.
    Canada