Atlanta, GA 1/1/2011 12:54:38 AM
Debbie Rush undertook extensive research to prepare for her on-screen son's post-traumatic stress storyline.
The 'Coronation Street' actress – who plays Anna Windass in the ITV1
soap – explained she was "honoured" to have been picked for such an
integral role in the plot, which sees her son Gary (Mikey North) battle
with the stress-induced syndrome following his return to the cobbles
from Afghanistan.
She told BANG Showbiz: "We were really honoured that we were picked to bring such an important storyline to light.
"Nobody else has done a storyline like this before and we've had such
amazing feedback from people involved with the forces. I chose to meet
with quite a few soldiers' mums and wives to really understand what
Anna was going through."
Debbie also hopes the storyline will bring the issue to light so young
people suffering from the condition will receive the support they need.
She added: "People don't realise how common this problem is. There are
so many young men and women who have returned from warzones and are
struggling to cope with what they've seen and experienced and it's so
important they receive the support they need.
"Gary Windass has come back from the Army and while everyone thinks
he's Mr. Tough Guy, he really has seen some terrible things that he has
to come to terms with in the real world."
