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My Waterloo, using water to commit suicide

By Steve Lombardi

Waterloo has always been the place of nervousness, controversy, anxiousness and the balance of life ... or death.

A reportedly distraught woman went into the water near the Park Avenue Bridge in Waterloo, Iowa; then went over a dam and was pulled downstream. She was pulled from the water and taken to Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo.

In an unrelated incident another Waterloo Bridge was the scene of what is described as an attempted suicide in London. Following this link will take you to some photographs of the man sitting on the bridge side of the rail, wearing sun glasses and talking with two police officers. The images are not something you see everyday. In years past the Waterloo Bridge, in London was a popular place to commit suicide since a person could easily slip unnoticed into the water.

Perhaps a change of name is in order.

For some time I worked in a psychiatric hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. They told us a person with a plan is more likely to commit suicide; so when clients express suicidal ideation I always ask, 'Do you have a plan as to how you intend to do it?' 'Do what?' is many times the response. 'Kill yourself', I explain. To the uninitiated it may sound insensitive, but it's exactly the idea they want to discuss. You just can't be afraid of the answer.

This is not all that an uncommon scene in many law offices.

In 1940 a London Movie about an encounter between a man and a woman on the Waterloo Bridge and an air raid taking place during WWI in London.

A simple tale of love gained and lost, the film tells the story of a dancer and an officer who meet in a chance encounter on Waterloo Bridge. This initial encounter occurs during an air raid during World War II.

Waterloo Bridge was a success at the box office and nominated for 2 Academy Awards - Best Music for Herbert Stothart and Best Cinematography. It was also considered a personal favourite by both Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JtzxbD_Ha4

And then there was the Battle of Waterloo from June 18, 1815 involving Napoleon's Army versus the British Heavy Cavalry and his last stand; now I'm way out of my field of expertise so I'll stop here.

Waterloo has become synonymous with a watershed or controversy involving people and emotions that cause a setback. Some define it as a final crushing defeat.

Definition: A town of central Belgium near Brussels. Napoleon met his final defeat in the Battle of Waterloo (June 18, 1815).

Waterloo is the name of a song sung by ABBA, WATERLOO. See below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vlcuvrM1po

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVGSKVkkyhc

Now the economy is pretty crappy; worse in some parts of the country; but all and all things are not all that bad. Suicide is no answer. It's the ultimate personal injury to your family and loved ones. Get help. This country is far from it's Waterloo.

Polk County, Iowa mental health.

ABBA, lyrics to Waterloo, originally released April 18, 1995

My my, at waterloo napoleon did surrender
Oh yeah, and I have met my destiny in quite a similar way
The history book on the shelf
Is always repeating itself

Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo - promise to love you for ever more
Waterloo - couldnt escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo - finally facing my waterloo

My my, I tried to hold you back but you were stronger
Oh yeah, and now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight
And how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose

Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo - promise to love you for ever more
Waterloo - couldnt escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - knowing my fate is to be with you

And how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose

Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo - promise to love you for ever more
Waterloo - couldnt escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo - finally facing my waterloo.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on June 04, 2009 (boomark / email).