Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Barber Jay’s book is a cut above... after overcoming tragedy
39-year-old’s story on beating the odds
A BARBER who watched as his brother was killed in a car accident has written a book about how he has overcome tragedy.
Growing up in Rathcoole, Jay Millar ended up in a children’s home in Whiteabbey with his younger brother Wayne after the death of their mum.
One night when they ran away from the Co Antrim home, he was hit by a car and the eight-year-old died a short time later, leaving his brother devastated.
Jay told the Mirror: “Myself and my brother were in a children’s home and sadly one night Wayne was knocked down and killed. He was only eight and I was nine.
“We were both very close – just normal brothers. As a child, it didn’t really affect me, until I grew up. It doesn’t be long coming round where you begin to think of the past. It’s one of those things, you have to get on with things.
“After that, I then went and lived with my uncle Victor who fostered me and looked after me very well, taking me on holidays and things.
“I ended up going to the Army and then after that I started to do barbering. Fast forward and here I am today.”
Jay said he began to make a lot more money than he was used to and he “wasn’t taking life serious”.
ADDICTION
He soon fell into drugs misuse and his addiction got progressively worse.
The 39-year-old said: “I was a bit like Peter Pan, I had never grown up and at one stage I was a working drug addict.
“Getting away from drugs was one of the best things I have ever done. Four years ago, I would have never thought I would get out of this hole I was in. Never.
“People are me too, putting me down and talking about me. Never in a million years would I put myself in the position I am in today. I am away from drink and drugs, and the circles of people who sell or take drugs.
“Anybody that knows me well, can see the change in me. For about 10 years I have been thinking of writing my own book, a book about my life.
“The time wasn’t right – but now it is. It really was a roller coaster, the experience writing it. But it was one of those things I had to do for myself and it has been amazing.
“Writing the book has been like therapy to me, but don’t get me wrong, it was very hard to take myself back to those places that you’d forgotten about. I am glad I have done it though.”
■ Jay’s book can be bought on Amazon or from his Seaview shop or Rathcoole Academy.
Anybody that knows me well can see the change in me JAY MILLAR RATHCOOLE YESTERDAY
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