Instinctive Measures
The Guinea Pig Soldiers and the Poison Pill
by Stephen Beardwood

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When the battle ends, the real fight begins. For Stephen Beardwood, the war didn't stop when he returned home from deployment. Having been administered mefloquine, a controversial drug that had not passed clinical trials, he faced a different kind of enemy: devastating side effects that turned his life upside down. He calls it what it truly is—poisoning. In Instinctive Measures, follow the engaging and emotional journey of a warrior striving to reclaim his health, sanity, and place in the world. Struggling with a body and mind in turmoil, he embarks on a path of recovery that is as much about healing relationships as it is about physical and mental well-being. Through the journey to reconnect with his children, family, friends, and veteran community, he discovers the strength within himself and the power of genuine love and support. By embracing plant-based medicine and a whole-food diet, he finds a natural path to healing, rejecting the processed foods and prescription drugs that failed him. This is not just a personal story but a powerful call to action. He advocates fiercely for veterans’ rights, demanding more equitable pensions and veteran centric institutions and care. His voice is a beacon for others, highlighting the need for systemic reforms and a compassionate approach to those who have served. Instinctive Measures is more than a memoir. It’s a manifesto for change, a testament to resilience, and a moving story of learning not just to survive but to thrive. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the true costs of war, the plight of veterans, and the power of community.

www.beardwood.ca

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"A powerful true story of awareness. When an elite paratrooper and field medic deliver his perspective and a message about change...count me in! This book will change your life and the lives of those around you." —Doug Smith, Author of The Trauma Code, 1st Round 1981 NHL Entry Draft

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Stephen Beardwood is a seventeen-year veteran who spent seven years as an airborne commando with one deployment. Stephen's journey into writing began after a demanding and exhilarating expedition across the Northwest Territories by canoe, covering 400 kilometres in ten days with True Patriot Love. This experience, among many others you will read about in this book, deeply influenced his approach to life and writing. In addition to his writing, Stephen is an accomplished instrumental guitarist, songwriter, and performer. He loves the outdoors and is passionate about military parachuting, advanced scuba diving, mountain climbing, skiing, and sailing. Stephen’s commitment to service has extended beyond his military career. Alongside his brother, he runs Veterans House Alliance International, a charity dedicated to supporting the veteran community. He lives in Gananoque, Ontario, where he can often be seen walking his cat, Mateo. For more about Stephen’s journey, insights, and music, please visit www.beardwood.ca. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

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Contributors

Author

Stephen Beardwood

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FriesenPress Editions

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