So, a bit about me...

Up until October 2009, I was an IT professional. I was working on IT projects and managing other IT people. I had been doing it for years, the same sort of stuff. There had been a gap from 2005 to October 2007 when I attempted to run my own little IT company. It went OK for a while and then the money began to dry up. I also didn't charge enough so we became completely unprofitable. 
So I began a new IT job in October 2007. During the months leading up to October 2009, my body and mind was beginning to tell me things weren't right and that I needed to do something. Tell tale things like heavy seats every morning, near constant headaches and sudden memory loss. To cut a long, painful and sorry story very short, in October 2009, it was agreed I would leave my highly paid job - the job that had meant security for me, my wife and my son.
It all came as a shock to everyone, but for me, although it was very sad, it meant release and an enormous weight was lifted - almost instantly. 
Everything was OK for the three months after - I was on full pay and I could use my company car. Soon after that though, money problems set in and the worry that brings. I then had what is medically known as 'a nervous breakdown'. It had been building apparently during the last year, 2009, but it hadn't been spotted. The signs were there, but I did my best to keep them under control.
I was in a very dark place for quite some time. This put an enormous strain on our marriage and I nearly lost my wife and son - more than once.
The health services here in Lincolnshire are very good. They take situations like mine very seriously and soon I was on tablets to make me happy and take the edge off my dark spells. I also saw someone I could talk to regularly and they helped me through it. All this time, I couldn't work - I'd been signed off - but in October last year, I decided I could begin looking for a new career. 
I knew I could never go back to IT. During 2009, I knew things were getting bad and I had decided I wanted to get out. Pressure from those around me and a feeling I had to carry on kept me working and I eventually crashed.
So, I now want to do something different... I want to drive for a living. My doctor and specialists suggested this would be good for me and be a change to what I'd been sued to for so many years. So that's what I'm doing. 
There is though a little problem. In March last year, I paid £1,140 to a company in Enfield UK to provide a PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) course - so I could drive coaches for a living. To cut a long story short, I haven't had my course and I haven't seen my money either. Legal action ensued (brought by me) and this is still ongoing. They haven't followed the court order to return my money so I am now having to take further action - which will cost me money - in addition to the £1000 I have had to pay for our stupid pathetic legal system to bring this matter to court.
So, there we have it. I am currently out of work, hoping I can get my money back to that I can take my PCV course. I am IT skilled but cannot and will not go back into IT for fear of another breakdown. A lot of the jobs I go for I am too over-skilled for. There is an acute shortage of jobs here in the UK and I'm battling to keep my family together. 
Our home is OK. Thankfully, I had the presence of mind to take out a mortgage protection policy years ago. This runs for two years and will terminate February of next year, when we will then lose our home - if I don't find work this year.
How's that? Quite a mess eh? 
Well, at least I have a plan. My plan is to complete my training and gain my full PCV license. I'll be as happy as Larry driving my bus or coach backwards and forwards all day, coming home happy and not worrying all night about our department budget, a meeting the next day or a presentation the following week.
Am I the only one to have gone through something like this? I doubt it.