Fight Through - Summer Edition by Education for the Military Ltd

FIGHT THROUGH SUMMER EDITION 2015

M A G

www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

SIGHT

NUTRITION INFORMED-SPORT

LIMB LOSS

HAVING A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE

TRAVEL MOTABILITY

PTSD

101 HOW CAN I SUPPORT SOMEONE WITH PTSD?

LOSS BLIND VETERANS UK

15% DISCOUNT * FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL QUOTE CODE: FIGHTT15

STORES NATIONWIDE | COTSWOLDOUTDOOR.COM *Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Only valid on production of military discount in store or use of discount code in store or online. Offer expires 31.10.15.

CONTENTS

>Contents FEATURES www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

06-10

> NEWS

11-16

> UPPER LIMB LOSS

SUMMER EDITION 2015

A GUIDE TO PAYING SCHOOL FEES The Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA) - PAGE 22

APPRENTICESHIPS

> LOWER LIMB LOSS

26-32

> PTSD

34-35

> SIGHT LOSS

36-38

> BRAIN TRAUMA

40-42

> MOTABILITY

43-45

> TRAVEL

46-47

> LEGAL

48-49

> NUTRITION

UNIVERSITIES - PAGE 42

ADOPTION Serving personnel make ideal adoptive parents for vulnerable youngsters - PAGE 58 >> FEATURED: FIGHT THROUGH MAGAZINE - ISSUE ONE - COMING SOON - PAGES 10 & 11 <<

Education for the Military Ltd works to support both Serving Armed Forces and Veterans. ‘Education for the Military’ is the holistic look at all aspects of education, from ﬁnding a nursery place for your child to ELC funding, along with recruitment opportunities. > Pick up your copies in the Resettlement Centres, Hives or Military Wards and Hospitals, or contact us for your FREE copy to be sent direct.

SUMM ER EDITIO N OUT

NOW

If you have a story that will inspire or entertain, contact Editor Joanne Nattress on

0191 516 6161 www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk @educationmat / @Fighthroughmag

04 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

Major Colin Whitworth MBE, Dan Majit, John-Allan Butterworth

18-25

Unlocking talent building skills - PAGE 40

Invictus Games in Orlando

Corie Map, Andy Reid, Darren Swift/NFA Circle of Trust, Combat Stress, The Beacon, On Course Foundation, Ex-Forces for PTSD Blind Veterans UK, Help for Heroes/Nick Hendry, Walking with the Wounded Getting mobile with Motability Planning your holiday Harris Fowler Solicitors Informed-Sport/LGC Group Ltd

> ALTERNATIVE THERAPY

> FACIAL INJURIES

52-56

> EMPLOYMENT

57-58

> SICK BAY

FIGHT THROUGH

M A G

SPECIAL THANKS TO: WWTW, SASRA, BLESMA, Fish Insurance, Pace Rehabilitation, Karl Nash, ABF, Simon Weston OBE, Forward Assist, Alex Lenaghan, LGC Group, Motability, Help for Heroes, Blind Veterans UK, Martin McConnell, The Beacon, Simon Brodie, The Not Forgotten Association, Corie Map, John-Allan Butterworth, Major Colin Whitworth MBE, SSAFA, Harris Fowler & all advertisers. IMAGES BY: Professional-images, Channel 4 (Front Cover) & thanks to all other image contributors. PUBLISHED BY: © Education for the Military Ltd FOLLOW US: @educationmat @fighthroughmag

> CONTACT US: ADDRESS: Education for the Military Ltd, 119i North East Business & Innovation Centre, Wearfield, Sunderland, SR5 2TA TELEPHONE: 0191 516 61 61 EDITOR: Joanne Nattress,

joanne@educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

ADVERTISING: Kris Bhudoye kris@educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

DESIGN: CS Design - chris@educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk © Education for the Military Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any way without written permission from the publisher. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher and although every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate, the publishers take no responsibility for errors and omissions. No responsibility can be accepted by the publisher for any claims made by the advertisers in this publication.

get in. stay out. With an Advance Payment of just £1,899, the Volvo XC60 will get you from A to B with style, safety and efficiency that no other model can match. Just don’t be surprised if, when you get there, you’re tempted to keep going. “FABULOUS TO DRIVE. I FEEL A MILLION DOLLARS IN THE DRIVING SEAT.” JOHN. XC60 D4 OWNER. 27/7/2014

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Official fuel consumption for the Volvo XC60 in MPG (l/100 km): Urban 42.2 (6.7) – 57.6 (4.9), Extra Urban 55.4 (5.1) – 65.7 (4.3), Combined 49.6 (5.7) – 62.8 (4.5). CO2 emissions 149 – 117g/km. MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results. Offer available on Contract Hire to Motability customers for personal use only. To be eligible to join the Motability Scheme, you must be in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or the Armed Forces Independence Payment. Ownership of the vehicle remains with Motability Operations at all times including following the end of the agreement. *Advance Payment of £1,899 is for the Volvo XC60 D4 SE Lux Nav Manual. Metallic Paint and Winter Pack with Active Bending Lights included. Initial payment as displayed, followed by 35 monthly rentals. Vehicle returned at contract end must be within contracted mileage (60,000 miles / 3 years) to avoid further charges. Excess mileage charges 5p per mile. Offer available from 01/07/2015 to 30/09/2015 subject to availability at participating dealers. Finance available to 18s and over only. Offer not available with other promotions and may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Terms and conditions apply. For full terms and conditions visit volvocars.co.uk/motability. Motability Contract Hire is provided by Motability Operations, City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB.

NEWS

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE

“H

> Ottobock has launched a new Prosthetic Knee - Kenevo which uses the most advanced technology in world to help patients, sit, stand, walk and rehabilitate. Previously only reserved for the most active amputees, this ‘micro-processor knee’ technology will bring new access to the thousands of amputees who are house-bound and immobile in the UK.

New technology helps amputees feel secure again Revolutionary new computercontrolled prosthetic leg launched to help thousands of amputees in the UK previously unable to walk

orld-leading prosthetic manufacturer Ottobock, has launched a new technologically advanced prosthetic leg designed specifically for people with low mobility levels who encounter problems walking in their daily life. The new Kenevo knee uses some of the most advanced technology in world to help patients, sit, stand and walk during the rehabilitation process. Previously only reserved for the most active amputees, this ‘micro-processor knee’ technology will bring new access to the thousands of amputees who are limited in their mobility. The Ottobock Kenevo Knee is the first microprocessor in the world specially designed for ‘low mobility’ patients. Using complex computer software, Bluetooth, angle and force sensors, accelerometers and gyroscopes the Kenevo knows exactly where it is in space at any given moment – meaning that patients can walk, sit, stand and move with more ease and safety. Movements such as walking backwards or sitting and standing without falling are made natural and intuitive with the new technology. “The Kenevo knee marks an exciting change for the world of prosthetics,” explains Ken Hurst, head of the Ottobock Academy. “Traditionally, the ‘low mobility’ patient group has been overlooked

by advances in new technology – when the reality is that they are the very people who could benefit most from developments. Kenevo changes all of this and for the first time we can use exciting technology to help patients with lower mobility feel safer and more secure in their walking. For new amputees, this technology can help them rehabilitate and become more active – and for those whose mobility has declined, due to health or other reasons, this leg can keep them safe. Five revolutionary functions can now be used by all Kenevo users. Permanently activated, the knee offers enhanced safety at all times; controlled support for sitting down and standing up; a bespoke wheelchair feature and new technology for standing still. In addition to these functions, the knee can be further tailored to the individual and offers three main ‘pre-selected’ modes designed to suit the lifestyle, mobility and needs of the individual. These modes can be changed and adapted as required in line with mobility improvement or decline. Kenevo is part of Ottobock’s range of microprocessor knees which include the C-Leg, Genium and Genium X3. Each of these ‘bionic’ knees is designed to improve independence and quality of life for all amputees – regardless of activity level. For more information on Ottobock’s range of innovative solutions that restore mobility please visit ottobock.co.uk or follow @ottobockuk.

06 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

ave you heard of a Tensegrity Model Bridge?” I hadn’t. Nikki from Holisticare explained that no part of the body is able to act independently without affecting the entire structure. Nikki also used the bridge analogy; “all the support structures of a bridge work together ensuring the integrity of the entire bridge”. It is a simple idea. No part of the body is independent of the rest. Each injury causing damage to a body part or muscle group has a knock on effect on your entire body. It makes sense. And it’s a proven science, although relatively new in the Physiotherapy world. The technique is called Myofacial Release, developed by American therapist John Barnes. The myofascia is the continuous network of connective tissue holding every cell in the body in place. It determines our strength, flexibility and stability – meaning that no part of the body exists in isolation. Solidifying or shortening like any muscle suffering trauma, it will spread tension throughout the whole body. When I attended my treatment at Holisticare, set amongst the peaceful countryside, with dedicated parking and wheelchair access, I was suffering from all the usual aches that most Armed Forces Personnel tend to have / ignore / pretend are normal. Identifying the various symptoms, Nikki informed me that she would start with my Psoas. That must have elicited a blank look from me. It turns out the psoas is one of the body’s core muscles, located in the

hips, and is key in being linked to many other problem areas. Through gently allowing the psoas to loosen using myofascial release, I instantly started to feel more relaxed. My back, legs, shoulders – all areas I’ve suffered with in the past – began to loosen. The treatment then focussed on each area individually, easing them even further. I questioned whether the practice invites scepticism, like any newer area of a science. Of course it does, but Myofascial Release is growing in popularity; being used by everyone from the elderly and infirm, up to athletes and nationally qualified StrongMen. I can attest to what one hour of treatment did for me. The results spoke for themselves; I felt great afterwards. Until the next day when, like every good but previously untried exercise, I felt like I’d been hit by a train. This only lasted part of the next day, thankfully. I’d been warned it would work muscles I didn’t even know I had. Some pain with a massive gain.

> ARTICLE BY: Kris Bhudoye

For more information, turn to page 50.

Kenevo

Reclaim your sense of security The Kenevo is the world’s first technologically advanced prosthetic knee designed specifically for people with lower mobility levels who encounter problems walking in their daily life.

Containing state-of-the-art technology, the new revolutionary knee allows wearers to feel confident and secure with every step. Previously only reserved for the most active amputees, this ‘micro-processor knee’ technology will bring new access to the thousands of amputees who are limited in their mobility.

Ottobock · 0845 600 7664 · www.ottobock.co.uk

NEWS

> Provided By: INVICTUS GAMES

Prince Harry announces second Invictus Games in Orlando

rince Harry, Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, has announced that the second Invictus Games have been awarded to Orlando, Florida. The 2016 Games will take place from 8 – 12 May at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Making the announcement via video message, Prince Harry says that following the success of the inaugural Invictus Games in 2014 he always hoped that they would be just the beginning of the Invictus story. Prince Harry said: “As I’ve continued to work with wounded servicemen and women, I regularly see the power of the soldiers’ stories to inspire others. For every competitor last September, there are hundreds of others around the world who would benefit from having the same opportunity. I wanted other cities and countries to look at the competition - what it meant to those taking part and those who saw it - and take up the challenge for the next Invictus Games. I am absolutely delighted that the United States has taken up that challenge and will host the next Invictus Games in 2016. I have no doubt that the USA will set the bar even higher than London did and put on a great show.” Following the success of the 2014 Invictus Games, the Invictus Games Foundation has been established to develop and pursue the event’s legacy. It manages the selection of the

hosts for future games and oversees their delivery. The Foundation set out desired requirements for future host cities to ensure the next Invictus Games meet stringent quality standards. This includes a mandatory minimum of 10 participating nations, 250 competitors and five sports; a strong families programme; appropriate venues and sport infrastructure; extensive broadcast and media coverage and access to the Games for spectators and media. Since the end of the 2014 Games, The Invictus Games Foundation has received a number of bids from potential countries and cities wishing to host the Invictus Games over the coming years. The US bid for Orlando won the rights to the 2016 Games thanks to the city’s outstanding sporting facilities and great tourist infrastructure, which make it an ideal host city for both competitors and spectators. Paul Wilson competed for the British Armed Forces Team at the 2014 Invictus Games in Archery. He suffers from PostTraumatic Stress Disorder, which is a result of his tour in Afghanistan and has really struggled with flashbacks and nightmares. Paul Wilson explains why it is so important to him that the Invictus Games legacy continues: “After very difficult times over the last few years, taking part in sport has been a massive help to me. It’s given me a sense of purpose, a structure to my life and something to focus on. Competing in the Invictus Games last year was a life-changing

08 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

experience for me and inspired me in so many more ways than I could have imagined. I am so excited the Games are happening again and will inspire hundreds more men and women around the world on their journey to recovery.” Research from Help for Heroes, who supported the Ministry of Defence in training and selecting the British Armed Forces team, has revealed that since the end of the Games they have seen a significant uptake in their sports recovery activities. There has been a 463% increase in sign-ups by veterans and serving personnel to Archery Talent ID Days, a 633% increase for Powerlifting and a 69% increase for swimming events. U.S. Army Sergeant Ryan McIntosh, a winner of three medals in London in 2014 including one gold said: “The power of sports and competition has proven to me that I am still the same person I was before Injury. No matter what comes I will face that adversity and come out on top, Unconquered.” Ken Fisher, President of the 2016 Invictus Games Organising Committee said: “Sport and exercise are important to the health and healing of our wounded warriors. We are honoured the Invictus Games is coming to the United States. The competitors, their families and caregivers are all inspirations and each of their stories is a testament to courage, love and perseverance.”

BOMB DISPOSAL

“

As we move towards our 5th Anniversary in 2016 Felix Fund is putting together a new package of welfare support; which will include coaching, mentoring and a further focus on helping with stress related illnesses.

FELIX FUND: SUPPORTING EOD UNITS

elix Fund has been in existence since April 2011 when it was established to meet the then urgent needs of British bomb disposal experts and their families. This small and unique trade within the British Army have very speciﬁc requirements which could not be adequately met by general service charities, particularly in relation to their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since its launch Felix Fund has focused on providing normalisation breaks for over 100 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams on their return from Afghanistan. These operatives are deployed as individuals rather than part of a unit and the breaks have given the teams the opportunity to readjust to ‘normal life’ with the peer support that they were reliant on during their tour of duty. These trips have proved vital in reducing the risk of developing mental health issues among individuals and help with their transfer back to EOD duties within the UK. Other areas in which the charity helps is through grants to individuals and these can be to help serving or ex-serving soldiers or their dependants. Recent examples include; helping with

funeral costs for an ex-soldier who died of cancer; providing a specialist riser recliner chair for a WW2 bomb disposal veteran and funding towards an electronic tablet for a soldier’s wife who is due to undergo major surgery followed by a prolonged stay in hospital. There is still a need for Felix Fund to support those, past and present, within the bomb disposal community. The conﬂict in Afghanistan may be over but the effects will be long lasting. It can take over a decade for the symptoms of PostTraumatic Stress to be diagnosed and addressed and those who have been physically injured in the line of duty will need more help as they get older and their needs change. As we move towards our 5th Anniversary in 2016 Felix Fund is putting together a new package of welfare support; which will include coaching, mentoring and a further focus on helping with stress related illnesses. Our message is twofold; ﬁrstly we need help and support to fund the work of the charity, and secondly it is equally, if not more important to hear about anyone who might be in need of our help as well. If you would like to help please get in touch.

Providing welfare support and financial assistance to any military or police personnel who have been involved with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) duties. Website: www.felixfund.org.uk Email: enquiries@felixfund.org.uk Facebook: facebook.com/felixfund Twitter: @FelixFund / Tel: 07713 752901 Registered Charity No: 1142494

NEWS

Crowning Event of 150th Anniversary Celebrations > Provided By: Acceleris

ational maritime charity, the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society has celebrated 150 years of providing care to former mariners with a visit from its royal Patron. Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal toured the newly refurbished facilities, meeting staff, volunteers and residents before presenting the charity with a new Royal Charter. This essential document approved by HM The Queen, setting out the original objectives and responsibilities of the society but in more modern language and style was unveiled and now hangs proudly in the Nursing Care Home’s lobby lounge. The charity also celebrated the launch of a book to commemorate its 150th anniversary, entitled Home from Sea. The book charts the society’s history and explores the extraordinary lives of its former seafaring community. The first copy of the book was presented by the Chairman of the Society, Captain Duncan Glass, to HRH the Princess Royal before her departure. Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society Chief Executive, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, said: “A visit from the society’s patron, HRH the Princess Royal is the crowning moment

of what has been a good anniversary year so far. We are very proud of all the society has achieved and the anniversary book, Home from Sea is a fitting tribute to the rich history of our society; to be able to share it with our Patron during her visit to us is an unforgettable experience..” “I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the staff, past and present who have committed themselves to providing continued high quality care at the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society over the past 150 years. We are well positioned and look forward to being able to continue supporting former mariners for generations to come.” During the course of her visit, HRH the Princess Royal also viewed some entries of a photography exhibition by the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society. The exhibition features images of seven entries of last year’s national competition, and currently hosted in the picturesque grounds of The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society following the launch of this year’s competition. To find out more on the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, please visit the website: www.royalalfredseafarers.co.uk and follow and like the official Society twitter (@RASeafarers) and Facebook pages.

10 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

" I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the staff, past and present who have committed themselves to providing continued high quality care at the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society over the past 150 years. " > HRH The Princess Royal

UPPER LIMB LOSS

Major Colin Whitworth MBE > Written by Kris Bhudoye

> MAIN IMAGE: Major Colin Whitworth MBE Skiing & left of (insert)

ajor Colin Whitworth MBE was once quoted in the national press as saying of bomb disposal in Helmand Province “They watch our techniques and procedures; when we counter something, they will then counter our counter. It’s cat and mouse”. He was never quoted as saying “It’s an arms race”. But from the stories people tell of the man, he might well have said exactly that and been misquoted. Because, despite the loss of an arm, or the lower part of one, in Northern Ireland, Colin is the first person to display that finest of Forces traditions; our glorious and often misunderstood gallows humour. It was while leading an Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) Team attending a security alert in 1993, that Colin made the well-known “long walk” to a car reported to have a bomb attached to it. The long held responsibility of an IEDD Operator is that if necessary he will put himself between a potentially lethal device and the ordinary public. Unfortunately the threat turned out to be all too real that day. The bomb functioned, resulting in Colin’s injury.

However, I can’t even begin this paragraph “despite the loss of a limb…”, as he has staunchly refused to let this minor inconvenience in any way affect his job. Pushing through rehabilitation, re-training and despite all odds, returning to work as normal, Colin is a testament to the Adapt and Overcome mentality. Having risen through the ranks and commissioning, overseeing responsibility for the exacting level of training for IEDD Teams, and serving as Officer Commanding for UK EOD Squadrons to name but a few of his incredible achievements, Colin has had, and continues to have, a highly successful career. He is deservingly respected and revered by a great many people. However, for all the highly spoken of achievements, people have also lined up to tell stories of “misdeeds” perpetrated by Colin and his prosthetics. A few of them are even suitable for print. One such incident involves repeatedly placing his false hand on a perfectly functional (and therefore red-hot) hotplate in a restaurant, only to comment that it must be broken and dupe the poor individual next to him into also touching it. Possibly the same, and probably sweaty, prosthetic limb has often reportedly been left behind in the gym, only to be noticed and returned by a junior member of the Squadron. Later in the evening people

are often encouraged to take a drink from the same false hand. According to one source the alternative split-hook claw is often proffered during important handshaking opportunities, in order to confuse the opposite person. And in the old Squadron bar in Northern Ireland there is, famously, a cartoon drawing of Colin, EOD weapon mounted to his own arm, while his hook has been mounted instead on the front of the bomb disposal robot. The title of the cartoon is “EOD the Whitworth Way”, and also has Colin sporting his beloved Man Utd shirt. But for all the stories people tell, there is always the widely ranging subject of Colin’s selfless commitment to Military Charities such as Blesma. Often taking the lead in organising and partaking in sporting events, money raising and elevating the profile of these charities has almost become a second career for Colin. Ian Waller, Operations Director at Blesma could not have put it any better himself: “Colin Whitworth is an inspirational figure within the Blesma membership, having organised and led ski bobbing expeditions to Austria and the USA, in many cases also raising the funds to pay for the activity. He clearly understands the power of rehabilitative sport and through his personal example has made a real difference to the lives of the people he has led”.

UPPER LIMB LOSS :

Jason Koger bi-lateral upper limb amputee - having a positive outlook on life!

iding an ATV on the family farm was a normal part of life for Jason Koger, but on March 1, 2008, a normal springtime ride almost turned into a tragedy when he struck a fallen, live power line, suffering from nearfatal injuries in the process. Jason’s injuries were so severe that he was transferred by medical helicopter from his local hospital to the burn unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre in Nashville, Tennessee. After three days in a coma, Jason woke up to learn that his life had changed forever. To save Jason’s life, doctors had to amputate both of his arms below the elbow. As a happily married father to three young children, Jason was highly motivated to return to normal life with his family. During his recovery, a doctor asked Jason, “if you had one goal to live for, what would it be?”

“I told him I wanted to hold my two daughters in my arms again,” Jason said. Prior to his accident Jason had worked alongside his father in the family construction business. He enjoyed spending his free time with his loved ones, hunting in the woods, and working on cars in his garage. Jason was determined not to let his accident keep him from living his life to the fullest. He came home only 12 days after the accident and as soon as he was able, Jason taught himself how to drive again. A month after returning home, he picked back up on his favourite hobby and returned to the woods to hunt for wild turkey. He credits his faith and his family for his positive outlook and views what happened to him as an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. To remind himself and others what matters most in life, Jason had pictures of his children designed onto the sockets of his prostheses. Jason devotes much of his time toward helping other amputees cope and adapt to their situations.

12 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

Jason was the first double amputee in the world to be fitted with an i-limb™ in 2008 and again with the i-limb™ ultra revolution in 2013. “With my i-limbs™, I am no longer afraid of dropping my soda in a restaurant. Better yet, I feel comfortable crossing the street while firmly holding onto my two-year-old son’s arm, knowing he is safe by my side”. Jason Koger Jason lives happily with his wife of ten years, Jenny, their two daughters, 8-year-old Billie Grace and 6-year-old Cambell, and the newest addition to their family, two-yearold son, Axell. He shares his story through his website and by reaching out to other amputees, and has gained national media attention for his positive outlook on life. Jason has appeared on CNN, Hawaii 5-0 and in an Apple commercial. To view this commercial visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJahlKPCL9g.

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UPPER LIMB LOSS

Case Study: Dan Majid > Provided By: WWTW

t was while studying a Leisure and Sports degree at university in 2004 that Dan decided to join the Officer Training Corps. After completing a 200km jungle marathon his next challenge was the Parachute Regiment’s arduous P Company selection process. Having volunteered for operations in Afghanistan he was deployed in 2010: “I had got so much from the army - adventure training, skiing, mountain climbing and diving. It was time for me to pay my debt. Adjusting to working with a regular army unit, 2 Para, in Helmand was easy and simply a matter of “having the right attitude”. That was until 26 November 2010 when at the front of a patrol sweeping with a detector designed to alert soldiers to the improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a bomb exploded. “I was going through the drills, looking for secondary devices, looking for them to fire upon us. I could hear screaming and realised someone had been injured”. He continues, “I looked at my arm and it wasn’t moving. I climbed out of the ditch and my arm swung forward from the shaft (upper arm) and I thought ‘That’s not right’. I put my hand round and squashed my whole arm in my fist. I was covered in blood. I thought it was being held on by my shirt. I thought ‘My arm has come off but everything else is fine so I am going to be fine. I am just going to have to deal with it’. As he applied a tourniquet, he noticed that he was moving his fingers, that somehow the limb was still attached and after several operations medical staff were able to save his arm. Having seen the charities expedition to the North Pole and with a long standing desire to climb Everest, Dan applied to join our Everest expedition team. As Dan commented himself, “Mount Everest is a special place and something I’ve always wanted to do. I truly hope to inspire people by doing it. Life goes on and expeditions like this will hopefully persuade others that regardless of their injuries dreams can still come true.” Dan continues to act as an ambassador for the wounded community and having received funds from our First Steps Bursary Scheme has successfully re-trained as a Geography teacher and is currently at Leeds West Academy.

14 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

" My arm has come off but everything else is fine so I am going to be fine. I am just going to have to deal with it "

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UPPER LIMB LOSS

Jon-Allan Butterworth

> Provided By: HELP FOR HEROES

fter leaving secondary school Jon-Allan Butterworth joined the RAF and served in Afghanistan in 2005 and Iraq in 2007 as a Weapons technician. On 4 August 2007 he was caught in a rocket attack on Basra Air Station, Iraq. He was operated on by doctors in a battlefield hospital who subsequently carried out an above the elbow amputation of his left arm. In October 2007, while he was still recovering at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court in Surrey, Jon-Allan attended a ParalympicsGB talent ID day in Loughborough. It was here that he first made contact with British Cycling coaches. In May 2008 he took part in the Help for Heroes Big Battlefield Bike Ride, a 350 mile cycling challenge around the battlefields of northern France, to raise funds to benefit other injured servicemen and women. This sparked his interest in cycling. In August 2008, with support from Help for Heroes, Jon attended a Paralympic sports camp in San Diego. Already identified as particularly talented at a Paralympic Talent ID day in the UK, the British Cycling team decided to put him through his paces in the Velodrome. As well as winning silver in the team sprint, 1km time trial and 4km individual pursuit at London’s 2012 Paralympic Games, Butterworth set a new world record in 2013 in the 200m time trial in his classification, C5. Help for Heroes have been able to support Jon-Allan’s rise to success through their Sports Recovery programme, which includes funding for specific technical equipment such as his latest track bike.

True to Jon-Allan’s ‘give it a go’ attitude, he took part in Channel 4’s, ‘The Jump’ earlier in the year securing the fastest time of all competitors in the first event of the series, the Skeleton. He went on to finish sixth overall behind the likes of TV personality Joey Essex, former England rugby player Mike Tindall, and former Great Britain Heptathlete Louize Hazel. Help for Heroes has been involved providing Recovery through sport since 2008, and in the past year alone have offered 300 events across 50 different sports enabling over 2,100 wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans to take part in adaptive sports from grassroots through to performance level. For more information about how Help for Heroes can support you if you’re wounded, injured or sick, visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk

16 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

" Already identified as particularly talented at a Paralympic Talent ID day in the UK, the British Cycling team decided to put him through his paces in the Velodrome. "

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LOWER LIMB LOSS :

“ one on one

discussions have helped me understand that being an amputee doesn’t mean it has to be a permanent disability”

ean could see little hope for the future the day he caught his foot in the mechanism of a power harrow and the heel of his right foot was degloved. Efforts to save the foot were unsuccessful and unfortunately surgery followed a few weeks later. This resulted in a below knee amputation. Sean was devastated, always an active person, working on a farm and a martial arts expert he felt that his days of being involved with the sport he loved, jujitsu, were over. During the early days Sean felt very low. NHS provision only allowed for one high-activity foot to be provided which would not accommodate some of the high sporting activities that Sean was keen to return to. He was seen at Limb Solutions for an assessment of his prosthetic needs as requested by his solicitor. However, Sean found himself at a loss and did not know where to turn to next. So he returned to Limb Solutions to see if they could help in a practical way. As a result Limb Solutions began working with him to help him achieve and aspire to all he wanted to. They provided free prosthetic assessment consultations and more importantly free trial appointments on a variety of high-activity feet. This was a revelation to Sean and following a few weeks of home trials on these feet he now realised that he could return to the fitness level he had before. Happily, Sean now started to feel enabled and not disabled. “Having the legs on trial have helped me notify what more I am capable of doing and with the professional help from Ian and the information on the technology and future technology that is coming to the market to help my type off amputation” The change in Sean was immense. Gone was the doom and gloom and instead he was now looking forward to getting back to and involved with the sports he loves so much. He returned to jogging to increase his fitness levels and has been considering a return to martial arts. Feeling positive and looking to the future Sean is now even thinking of teaching martial arts and looking to gain further education in the art of jujitsu for disabled people. With the help of Ian at Limb Solutions, and the support from his wife who travelled with him to all his appointments and constantly encouraged him, Sean has come a very long way from that feeling of despair following the loss of his limb. He hopes his story will help inspire others to get out there and find out what is available and to strive for new goals in life. He now understands that being an amputee will not hold him back in the pursuit of his sport goals and that life can carry on enabling new challenges to be met. Good luck Sean!

For more information on how you can obtain free trials please contact Limb Solutions. t: 01420 563 247 e: enquiries@limbsolutions.co.uk w: www.limbsolutions.co.uk

18 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll push to find you a bespoke solution

t: 01420 563247 e: enquiries@limbsolutions.co.uk w: www.limbsolutions.co.uk

LOWER LIMB LOSS

CORIE MAP speaks with Fight Through editor Joanne Nattress

ance Corporal Corie Map of the C Squadron Household Cavalry was on a reconnaissance operation in 2010 in northern Helmand province Afghanistan, when his vehicle hit an IED. This is Corie’s story of how he came back from injury to be part of the Paralympic inspirational program, and raced bobsleigh at Calgary Olympic Park. are the things that helped me get up on the days when I feel like staying in bed, they give me something to carry on for.” When I asked what effect his injuries have on a day to day basis, he humbly said “this is probably a really small thing, but it was difficult for me, I wanted to be able to teach my two Girls how to ride their bikes, to be able to run alongside them in case they fell off, however, although it took some time, longer than it would normally, I did it, and to me this was a major achievement” Corie also told me that he had a goal of driving a manual car again, when he mentioned this his attitude was ‘I know I can do this, just let me do it’ again through sheer determination and personal belief in himself this was another achievement of note.

Upon impact Corie lost his left leg, his jaw was broken, left hand broke, severed lip, and he sustained a punctured lung. His right leg was unable to be saved and was later amputated in Bastion. Corie has had to learn to live again as a double amputee. “There are so many small things you take for granted as an able bodied person, that become a challenge when you are disabled. Sometimes the hardest challenge is the mental attitude to just get up on a morning” Corie isn’t looking for sympathy with this statement, just telling us the facts as they are. “Family, the Staff at Headley Court and Sport

I asked Corie “With so many sports out there that are less dangerous, why did you choose Bobsleigh? “It came from Martin the head of sports recovery for Help the Heroes, He told me he was taking people over to Canada and encouraged me to join them. The first year he asked, I said no, but the next year I decided to give it a go, Initially they requested Cori have a go at the Skeleton, “I said Hell NO! I am not going down there head first, I will try the Bobsleigh” Around the difficult parts of the tracks the coaches watch the guys as they make their slippery decent, monitoring their response at the most dangerous parts of the course,

20 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

as Corie said “these are the parts where you need to do well or you crash” after monitoring Cori they told him he had a future in Bobsleigh and so it all began. One of the great parts of getting involved with Bobsleigh other than the obvious adrenaline rush is there is no need for any adaptive specialised equipment, all you need is a full face motorbike helmet with either goggles or visor. So with very little personal equipment needed it is a great sport to go out and give it a go. Corie maintains that getting involved with Sport and Bobsleigh has helped with his recovery “it restores your confidence, as Soldiers we are very competitive, and being part of the Team GB out in Sochi enables you to be competitive in a positive way. Also the Exercise releases endorphins which in turn make you feel good, helping your mental attitude, it also gives you something to strive for, and sometimes something to get out of bed for” Do you have any advice for guys struggling at the moment? “The best advice I can give anyone who is struggling, is to tell someone, it need not be the Head Psyc, it can be a family member, nurse, or even the ground staff, just acknowledging you are not yourself that day can help you. Or if you feel you cannot talk to someone write it down, it is important to let the feeling out in some way”.

To share your story please contact Editor Joanne and the team joanne@ educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

SKI 2 FREEDOM

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined” - Henry David Thoreau

> WHO WE HELP: • Individuals and families • Rehabilitation Units – both Military and Civilian • Support Workers and their clients

> How We Can Help You:

re you looking for adventure, adrenaline, a new found freedom, somewhere different and truly memorable for you, your family or friends? The main objective of Ski 2 Freedom Foundation is to give families and individuals the opportunity to enjoy the mountains – year round with the amazing activities and opportunities available.

are a natural location for rehabilitation and an opportunity to ﬁnd self-conﬁdence and a renewed spirit for life.

For over 150 years the Alps and Mountains have been well-known for their therapeutic qualities. We are striving to bring this reality closer and are breaking down barriers to enable everyone to beneﬁt on an equal basis and at all levels in mountain activities. They

Ski 2 Freedom Foundation works with a number of military organisations and families, and is the link between these mountain activities and anyone whose life is affected by a disability, life-challenging or life-changing condition, regardless of age, nationality, cultural or social background. Our ‘Ski 2 Freedom Information Resource’ ensures that beneﬁciaries achieve barrier-free access to the mountains. We provide a global and comprehensive guide and tailor our advice and support to meet your speciﬁc requirements.

Explore your potential in activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snow-shoe walks, freestyle, extreme snow-sports, off-piste – from back-country to ski touring, cross country skiing, ski jeering (behind a horse), dog-sledging, handbike, mountain biking, ﬁshing, kayaking, golf – the list goes on!

Welcome to the magic of the mountains and allow us to be your guide on a journey full of new experiences!

• Helping to decide where to go and which activity is best suited to your needs • Where to stay • Provide personal support and help if required • Provide information and access for breakthrough technological developments • Provide tailor-made programme for a group or family activity; a time-out for wives/partners caring for an injured Service person; supporting siblings or other family members who are aﬀected by a disability within the family.

We would be delighted to help you so do please contact us: contact@ski2freedom.com or visit our website www.ski2freedom.com Charity No. 1151307

FIGHT THROUGH

Floatsation® is a unique matrix of balls giving total support and independence in water for people of all abilities, young or old. Floatsation® Is one of the most successful support aids people can use in water. It can be used as an acute / chronic rehab, hydro programme, continued therapeutic aid as well as part of a sports injury rehab programme. It is the most versatile floating/water support device you can buy. Endorsed by Martin Mansell, 9 times Paralympic Swimming medals. The Floatsation® product range has wide applications both in the leisure market as an inclusive Swimming/Floatation aid, Rehab aid and as hydrotherapy aid in the pool. The products enable independence in the water acting as an exercise unit and a support aid to relaxation at the same time; as well as being fun in the water for all.

For more information on Floatsation please visit our website at www.floatsation.com • Tel: 01246 476 364 2855590 r2.indd 1

22 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

10/03/2015 10:47

ANDY REID: from adversity to opportunity

BF The Soldiers’ Charity is the National Charity of the British Army, providing a lifetime of support to soldiers, former soldiers and their families. This longevity of support means that there are often cases in which a beneficiary of the Charity may receive their help at various stages of life, reflecting the ever-changing, and sometimes never-ending, need for support. One such case is Andy Reid. Despite losing three limbs to an IED whilst serving in Afghanistan, Andy has surmounted overwhelming odds to start a family, forge a successful career and start a new life on ‘Civvy Street’. He recalls the life-changing moment whilst he was on foot patrol with 3 YORKS in Afghanistan in 2009: “There was a massive bang and I was lying on my back with a big dust cloud all around me but I couldn’t hear anything at all…I wasn’t in any pain – it felt like I’d just run into a door, there was numbness throughout my body. I looked down and couldn’t see my legs, but I couldn’t see any blood either. I began shouting for the medic as loud as I could, but I couldn’t hear myself.” Upon returning to the UK, Andy was determined to move forward and get on with his life. He says that the fact his mother was an amputee had a hugely positive impact on his attitude towards his injuries (Andy’s mother had her leg amputated as the result of a car crash years earlier, when he was just 11 years old): “Most people, even soldiers, probably don’t know another amputee, but having an insight into it did help.” An initial grant was provided by The Soldiers’ Charity just two weeks after Andy was injured, which helped to pay for essential adaptations to his house that allowed him to move back home from hospital. Having been medically discharged from the Army, Andy set about putting his experiences down on paper; the result of which was the best-selling autobiography ‘Standing Tall: The Inspirational Story of a True British Hero’. He cites his inspiration for writing the book as “the friends and families of those injured, so they could get a bit more of an insight into what their loved ones might be going through.” His book stormed to the top of the book charts and, off the back of its success, Andy decided to pursue a career as a public speaker. Reflecting on his decision to embark on this career path, Andy says he saw it as “an opportunity to get

my story out there and show others that injury or illness isn’t the end of the world.” The Soldiers’ Charity once again stepped in to provide funding for his speaking course, enabling him to develop the skills he had already acquired and progress his career. Looking back on everything that has happened since the incident in 2009, he remains philosophical about the whole experience: “People say things happen for a reason – maybe the incident was meant to happen so I could go out and support others.” In the five and a half years since he was injured – during which he also married his long-term partner Claire and had his first child, his young son William – Andy has tirelessly devoted himself to raising vital funds and awareness for The Soldiers’ Charity. He has taken on skydives, abseils, 10k runs, and countless other challenging activities and credits the Charity with being a crucial source of support to him and his family throughout his long road to recovery: “The immediate support was there when I was injured, and continued to be there when I needed housing adaptations and when I left the Army. But it wasn’t just help with the physical things; the Charity helped me in forging a new career.Your life changes and the compensation doesn’t last forever, so it’s really reassuring to know that The Soldiers’ Charity will always be there alongside us, it’s a massive weight off our shoulders.” By donating to The Soldiers’ Charity, you could help another returning soldier like Andy get back on track without having to let injury or hardship hold them back.Visit www.soldierscharity.org/ donate

> ANDY REID © ABF The Soldiers’ Charity

Andy’s book, ‘Standing Tall’, is available to purchase from Amazon. Follow Us: @fighthroughmag I FIGHT THROUGH I 23

DARREN SWIFT

“Since I was injured 20 years ago the Not Forgotten Association has been a family to me.

Darren Swift

n his third tour in Northern Ireland in 1991, Corporal Darren ‘Swifty’ Swift was blown up by an IRA coffee-jar bomb packed with ‘shipyard confetti’ – nuts, bolts, rivets, screws and nails. Severe injuries led to two years of rehabilitation at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court: including a double amputation above the knees and treatment which continues to this day. Swifty first attended a Not Forgotten Association (NFA) event more than 10 years ago and has been involved with the Association ever since. On an entirely voluntary basis he attends NFA functions - with or without his prosthetic legs - encouraging others who have been severely wounded or disabled in military service to be positive about the future. Having

24 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

suffered his own injuries, Swifty’s optimistic outlook and unique character have made him an inspiration to all the veterans he has met, from WWII to Afghanistan. Additionally, Swifty gives talks and presentations around the UK on what those in similar situations can do. And as if this isn’t enough, he also works for the military and civilian emergency services in casualty simulation and has had a number of acting roles in films, national TV and on the stage. “Since I was injured 20 years ago, the NFA has been a family to me. It has been hugely supportive in my recovery and continues to do this for veterans of all three services and all campaigns. I am delighted to be able to help, motivate and inspire those who have suffered similar injuries to me.”

Cyril Banks

gainst his mother’s wishes Cyril signed up in 1943 at the age of 18 and joined the minesweeper HMS Ready. Cyril’s first months at sea were spent in the harsh Arctic convoys and in the North Sea patrolling for German submarines and U-Boats. HMS Ready was then deployed to the Channel to help minesweeping efforts leading up to the D-Day Landings. On D-Day itself HMS Ready led the mine clearing flotilla off Gold Beach. Cyril recalls: “We saw bodies floating in the water. The horrendous things that were happening will live in my mind for ever.” Later Cyril served on LST craft in the Channel before sailing to the Far East. Here he took part in operations

95 1920-2015

“ I never thought retirement could be so full of life. The NFA has given me so many opportunities to meet other veterans, young and old. I’m grateful I can still do my bit to help them offer all these wonderful things ” against the Japanese and assisted in the repatriation of Australian POWs before being demobbed in 1946. Since first attending one of our events in 1999, Cyril has become a great ambassador for and an official Friend of the NFA. In 2013 Cyril was awarded the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest public distinction, in recognition of his involvement in the liberation of France. At the age of 90 Cyril continues to

fundraise for the NFA, having raised more than £25,000 by collecting at railway stations and Stansted Airport, arranging concerts and even abseiling down a water tower! “I never thought retirement could be so full of life. The NFA has given me so many opportunities to meet other veterans, young and old. I’m grateful I can still do my bit to help them offer all these wonderful things”

years ago we began caring for ex-service personnel... we still do. Help us to continue our work. We were founded in 1920 to provide ‘comfort, cheer and entertainment’ to servicemen wounded in the Great War. For 95 years we have continued to support veterans with disabilities and serving personnel who are wounded, injured or sick. Anyone of any age who has served in any of the Armed Services, Regular or Reserve, may be eligible to benefit from our unique programme of holidays, events, concerts, outings and the provision of televisions and TV licences. If you think that you, or someone you know, may be eligible for our help, we would be delighted to hear from you. Tel: 020 7730 2400 Web: www.nfassociation.org Email: info@nfassociation.org Address: 2 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH Charity No 1150541

From Comradeship to Challenge™ Follow Us: @fighthroughmag I FIGHT THROUGH I 25

PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 101 > Provided By: CIRCLE OF TRUST THERAPY

i there, I’m Si Brodie and as a 28 year veteran and a qualified counsellor, I specialise in working with military personnel/ veterans and their families. There’s a LOT of confusing information about PTSD out there. So to help you out, I’ll endeavour to answer, very simply, the following questions:

• Having thoughts or mental images about the incident that intrude on life. • Physical stress reactions such as nausea, racing heartbeat, sweating etc. • Being easily irritated / angry / upset. • Poor concentration. • Self-destructive behaviour (alcohol/drug misuse, excessive smoking/exercise etc). • Keeping busy to avoid having to think about the incident. • Feeling detached from reality and/or emotionally numb.

>What is PTSD? >What causes PTSD? >What are the symptoms of PTSD? >What can I do if I have PTSD? >How can I support someone with PTSD? What can I do if I have PTSD? What is PTSD? PTSD is the extended experiencing of distressing feelings after a traumatic incident, that do not naturally disappear after a few weeks. These distressing feelings may take years to appear, but they are PERFECTLY normal reactions to an abnormal experience. With PTSD, these natural responses are not appropriately processed by the brain and continue long after they should.

What causes PTSD? Individuals can develop PTSD if they are exposed to actual or threatened death or serious injury, or to sexual violation.

What are the symptoms of PTSD? Someone with PTSD may experience some of the following:

• Flashbacks that feel as if the trauma is happening again.

• Nightmares and/or disturbed sleep. • Feelings of extreme distress when reminded of the trauma.

• Having a heightened alertness to potential dangers.

There are a number of things you can do to help yourself and only YOU will know what works for you. Some common resiliencebuilding activities include:

• Accept you have been through a trauma and that your responses are perfectly natural.

• Try to exercise appropriately, eat healthily and get 8-hours sleep a night. A healthy body helps you keep a healthy mind and that builds resilience. • Talk to someone you trust when you are ready. It can be a family member, friend, work colleague, someone with similar experiences, or a therapist (my details are at the end). I know this may seem like the LAST thing you want to do, but trust me, it will be the best thing to help your recovery. • Try Mindfulness (there are lots of online resources and smartphone apps), it’s a technique for becoming more aware of what’s happening in the present. I promise you, it’s an amazing tool to help you on the path to recovery. • Contact one of the many PTSD/mental health/veteran organisations for support. • Speak to your GP and see what help they can offer.

26 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

How can I support someone with PTSD? There are many ways you can support someone with PTSD: • Give them time to talk to you and tell their story, when they are ready. • Allow them to be upset. • Ask them how they feel and actively listen to their reply. • Look for changes in their behaviour and ask them if you can help them find support. • Learn more about PTSD so you can better understand them. • Look after yourself and stay safe yourself. There you go, a VERY brief, very simple introduction to PTSD. Hopefully it has provided a basis from which you can now go and learn more, help yourself to heal faster and better support those with PTSD that you care about. Yours, in mental health Si Brodie simon@circleoftrusttherapy.com www.circleoftrusttherapy.com @oxtherapy

PTSD

When alcohol is an issue…

rom Ancient Rome to the trenches of World War One, there has been a long association between armies and alcohol. Today, however, we are learning more about the downside of alcohol in the military, writes Dr Walter Busuttil of Combat Stress, the Veterans’ mental health charity. It’s widely accepted that combat exposure is associated with heavier levels of drinking, especially in younger Servicemen. It’s also the case that heavy drinkers are more likely to smoke and have much poorer physical and mental health. For Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the rates of drink problems are two to three times higher than that of the general male population. Studies show that many ex-Servicemen and women who were unable to get help for mental health problems during their military service – because they feared losing their jobs, suffering stigma or appearing weak – turned to alcohol

69% of Veterans surveyed suffered from alcohol disorders to cope with their problems. In addition, for many Veterans, the loss of the military support structures and the challenges of adjusting to civilian life made them especially vulnerable to problems with drink. Our latest research showed that of the Veterans who came to us with PTSD, over two thirds had a problem with alcohol or depression (69% and 62% respectively, although both are usually found in combination.) We know too that Veterans wait on average, 13 years before asking for help during which time their problems only get worse. Alcohol dependence is undesirable at the best of times but for a Veteran it means that their

> Our specialist psychological treatments deal with Veterans’ underlying mental health illnesses

mental health problems are often hidden and go undiagnosed by health professionals. Further, even if their trauma-related injuries are correctly identified, they simply can’t be addressed while the Veteran is drinking heavily. Each Veteran we treat therefore is fully assessed and a treatment plan is designed based on individual needs. Some Veterans can be encouraged to cut down and stop drinking and many are able to do so on their own. Others require more structured intervention and we work closely with local substance misuse services to achieve this. We are running a pilot substance misuse case management service that offers individual support to Veterans to get them through each step of the process of dealing with substance misuse. It is only when they are well enough that we can begin to treat a Veteran’s underlying mental health illnesses with our specialist psychological treatments. It is absolutely vital to treat their drinking before addressing PTSD because traumafocused therapies involve re-living the traumatic experience. Facing up to the past requires that trauma to be processed and challenged without being avoided. Alcohol dependence can make it impossible for the Veteran to face the memory in the safe, therapeutic environment we create for them. Our treatments are expertly delivered, sensitive to the military culture and are offered in an environment that encourages peer support with many staff being ex-military themselves. The first point of contact a Veteran has with us is with one of our Regional Welfare Officers who are all ex-military and share that common background and culture. Treatment aims to re-engage the Veteran with his or her life, improve how they function day-today, allowing them to move towards a more positive future.

IDENTIFYING ALCOHOL MISUSE At Combat Stress, we ask Veterans the following questions: 1. Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking? : 2. Have people annoyed you by criticising your drinking? 3. Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking? 4. Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover? If the answer is ‘yes’ to two or more, it’s most likely that the Veteran needs help to address an alcohol problem.

How to get help The Combat Stress Helpline is free, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a week and is for Veterans, Reservists, serving personnel and their loved ones. Call if you have trouble sleeping, have flashbacks, feel depressed or anxious or are worried about your drinking or drug use. The Helpline’s professional, trained staff will listen and support you, or they may refer you on to another organisation that can help.

> Dr Walter Busuttil MB CHB MPHIL MRCGP FRCPSYCH RAF has been Director of Medical Services for Combat Stress since 2007. His career in traumatic stress disorders started in 1989 during a 16 year service as a military psychiatrist in the Royal Air Force.

Tel: 0800 138 1619 Text: 07537 404 719 Email: combatstress@rethink.org The Helpline is delivered on behalf of Combat Stress by Rethink Mental Illness.

PTSD

the beacon PROVIDING supported accommodation for Vulnerable Ex-Servicemen and Women > Provided By: THE BEACON

he Beacon which in September 2011 opened within Catterick Garrison to provide supported accommodation & managed by Riverside ECHG, provides supported accommodation for up to 31 Vulnerable Ex-Servicemen and Women who have been made homeless on discharge from the Armed Forces. The Beacon has a Training Education and Employment department which aims to make a difference to veteran’s lives. Assisting them through personalised training and education, improving their life and employment skills, we aim to improve work opportunities by identifying strengths, weaknesses and developing veteran’s confidence. Veterans are then willing and able to secure and sustain employment. We cannot do this alone; every course has costs attached and so the search for funding begins. We are fortunate to have access to many charities who are working hard to make a difference and give our guys the opportunity of education, for this we are eternally grateful. Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) is one of the charities who listen to the needs of our veterans, provide the support, funding and mentoring to make their dream a reality. I would like to share some of the good work that WWTW have participated in….. Sean was medically discharged with PTSD in 2012 after 10 years of service; he arrived at The Beacon and made full use of the support available to him. He gained strength in health and character, by regularly using the gym, the health and well-being centre, the bakery and

the IT suite. With this new found confidence and the first signs of self-belief, Sean felt ready to progress with his career and shared a dream… he wanted to become a Drug’s Dog Handler. With assistance of many different charities Sean took and passed the course. He has now set himself up in business and has had assistance to purchase a vehicle from WWTW and has two dogs to work, one who specialises in drug searching and the other for general purpose. We are extremely proud of the hard work and effort he has shown but also to those who quietly provide the finances to make it happen, such as WWTW. Carol a young lady who was medically discharged moved into The Beacon and has been supported whilst ongoing treatment was found. Eventually she aims to secure employment in Business Administration or HR. Walking With The Wounded once again provided the funding for her to complete relevant qualifications needed as and when she is medically ready to return to work. Ryan wanted to realise a dream of setting up his own business and be his own boss. He needed a chainsaw qualification to enable him to develop his work opportunities and Walking With The Wounded are assisting with this as well. Not only are they paying for the course but also the safety equipment needed. We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of you who have offered financial assistance and support, especially Walking With The Wounded, you are all stars. The Beacon and our veterans are forever in your debt.

28 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

> MAIN IMAGE: The Beacon, located within Catterick Garrison, (BELOW) Sean and Eric the dog.

PTSD

On course

for a brighter future

n November 2012 Andy Stevens was ready for the next phase in his military career. A Lieutenant Colonel from the Royal Logistic Corps, Andy had been assigned a new role in military education at the Defence academy following a distinguished career that had taken in the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan. Then, at the start of 2013 Andy’s life changed in ways that he never expected. “I’d boxed away different incidents from across my career and then, without much warning, they came out and bit me,” commented Andy. “From the outside PTSD is very much an unseen injury but on the inside my mind was in turmoil. I suffered flashbacks, lost all my confidence and experienced anxiety that made day to day life near impossible.” Andy’s story will be familiar to the thousands of Service men and women who have experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. But, from the lows of those first months with the illness, Andy has been able to draw on specialist support from the Mental Health Team at Brize Norton and more recently an organisation that is helping numerous wounded, injured and sick Service personnel to find their way towards a brighter future. Andy continued, “I still struggle with poor sleep patterns and get stressed easily, but I’ve come a long way since those early days

> PICTURED: Andy Stevens and for much of that I can thank the help I’ve received from On Course Foundation.” Launched in 2010, On Course Foundation has already helped hundreds of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and veterans across the country. Working with the support of the governing body for the amateur game - England Golf - the charity uses golf skills as a means to aid physical and mental rehabilitation and also creates work experience and employment opportunities for its members within the golf industry.

skills. The charity then works with individuals to progress their knowledge of the game and, where desired, helps with employment skills and ﬁnding work experience and employment opportunities within the golf industry. “PTSD is a hidden wound and in golf I can ﬁnd some peace from the issues in my mind,” concluded Andy. “On Course Foundation has given me a focus for my recovery

“On Course Foundation was fantastic. I met others who suffer from PTSD and realised that I was not on my own. The OCF event was like an intensive therapy session where you develop your skills and also get to talk with other veterans. Through OCF I have developed my confidence as well as my golf skills and I now look forward meeting up with the friends that I’ve made at the OCF events. We share golf, our military service and our injuries. It’s an environment where there is no rank, no stigma and you can be yourself with confidence. I’ve even joined a local golf club now so my set of golfing friends is extending outside of the Foundation.” No prior golf skills are required to take part in On Course Foundation events. Referrals can be made direct from PRU’s or Service personnel and veterans can approach the Foundation independently. Beneficiaries of OCF attend introductory golf events, held all across the U.K., where they learn basic golf

amongst people who understand exactly what I’ve been through. I’ve started to get a bit of myself back and with the help of the Foundation I’ve made real friends for life.” For anyone wanting to know more about the work of On Course Foundation please visit www.oncoursefoundation.com or ask your Personal Recovery Ofﬁcer for information on a referral.

On Course Foundation is fantastic in bringing together people that might not have had the opportunity to play golf before, and show them not only how inclusive it is, but how it helps build confidence. It’s through this confidence that I have been able to secure employment with their help. Now the sport that I love is helping me every day in rehabilitation, something I had never even considered before. Ian Bishop On Course Foundation Member

EXPLORE ONCOURSEFOUNDATION.COM | SEE HOW GOLF CAN HELP YOU As the only Services golf charity, we ensure that wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and veterans are given great opportunities in the golf industry.

@OnCourseCharity | info@oncoursefoundation.com 020 8334 2010 | Registered Charity Number 1136618 PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY THE R&A

PTSD

LISA THOMPSON:

Listen In Development Oﬃcer

have grown up with family members suffering from mental health problems. I know ﬁrst-hand what it feels like, how stuck and upset it can make you feel. Sometimes it is hard to deal with your own problems, but when you try to help a family member too, it makes life ten times harder! Since working for Listen In I have completed the mental health ﬁrst aid, PTSD training with Veterans NHS and a number of CAIS training courses. I now work alongside the Royal British Legion, Defence Medical Welfare Service, Veterans NHS and many more veteran services. I hope to carry on working for Listen In for as long as I can, as I feel this community need this service so much. I am currently in the process of raising money for this service by doing a sky dive. I will take to the sky in my Listen In t-shirt to raise money for this much needed service.

What is Change Step? Change Step is a peer mentoring and advice service. This service is for military veterans who, through one reason or another, has struggled with transitioning back into Civvy Street and wants to make positive changes to their lives. The service is delivered by veterans for veterans and aims to support those seeking help for problems encountered as a result of military or operational duty. The programme offers peer support, training opportunities and signposting to relevant health and welfare services. Our sister project, Listen In, supports the signiﬁcant role families and friends of veterans play in promoting recovery from problems associated with military service and the transition to civilian life. The Listen In team will deliver mental health ﬁrst aid training and practical support to the families and friends of veterans.

Where is Change Step located? We have drop in centres across Wales. The drop-ins are a friendly place to meet with other veterans and a Change Step Peer Mentor.

www.changestepwales.co.uk

0300 777 2259

facebook.com/changestepwales

@ChangeStepWales

30 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

CASE STUDY: Listen In service user I have been receiving help and support from Listen In and Change Step since February / March 2015. My son has mental health problems as a result of military related PTSD. I was working full time as a manager and trying to balance my professional world with my son’s problems and my personal life. A colleague became aware of my situation and had a contact number of a friend who worked for Change Step. I made the call and from that instant, my world became easier and I was able to breathe as finally, after months of searching, I had someone to help us. Initially, I met with Vrinty from Change Step; the most genuine, helpful person I had met in a very long time! He talked me through what they could do to help me and my son, it was an extremely emotional time but the way he handled the whole situation was amazing. We had numerous phone calls from him, assuring me I wasn’t alone and we could get help. I will never under estimate what reassurance those words gave me! Vrinty then introduced me to Listen In and I got to meet Lisa. This person has literally saved me! With her help, I was able to recognise I was suffering as a result of my son’s illness. I agreed to visit my local GP for help; they even made the appointment and offered to come with me! All the time supporting /texting & calling to make sure that I was ok. I attended a first aid course in mental health, arranged by Listen In and this provided me with a much greater understanding of the world I was now living in while supporting my son. It hasn’t been easy! My son still has frequent visits to mental health hospitals, but Change Step are always right behind him, making sure he has what he needs and checking he’s ok. That, along with the vast support I receive from Lisa, is amazing. I can text /phone when ever I have a bad day (which I do often) and we meet up regularly. I know I use her as a crutch while we get through this but quite frankly I dread to imagine where I would be without her help! She always leaves me feeling positive and that we can find a way through this. I now look for the leaflets for Change Step and Listen In when I go to GP surgeries and hospitals. I share their posts on social media and try to promote this amazing organisation as much as possible. If my colleague had never passed that phone number on to me, I’m not sure how we would have got through all this. I want to shout from the rooftops the amazing support these people give. This means they will be able to help many families like they have saved mine.

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PTSD

Ex Forces for PTSD MARTIN MCCONNELL speaks with Fight Through editor Joanne

I first came across Ex Forces for PTSD through Facebook and Twitter, when the most amazing design on a motorbike helmet covered in poppies caught my eye. The helmet was subsequently auctioned off to raise money, which is used to send families who’s loved ones struggle with PTSD on a fantastic holiday. I reached out to Martin McConnell, for an interview, to find out more, and his passion and enthusiasm for this cause is inspiring.

Nattress, about EX FORCES FOR PTSD JN: Martin how did you get involved with EX Forces for PTSD MMC: It was my idea I came back from Iraq in 2005, having been there as a project manager for the FCO and some other British Government organizations. The idea of a fundraiser came to me then and has been going around in my head for a long time since, but I didn’t know how to get it started. Then, last year, I went to a reunion and spoke to Diane Donnelly. She urged me to delay no longer and offered to help. That’s when we put our heads together and this dream became a reality

JN: What are the aims of the fundraiser? MMC: Our aim is to fund military or exmilitary families living under the cloud of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder so that they might have a family holiday. Remember, it is not just the person suffering from PTSD; it is whole families that are affected. Our target is £10,000.

JN: How do you raise the Money? MMC: Basically I beg for great items that we can auction off. I contact Artists who have being amazing donating their artwork to the project. One of those is Steve Barnes who did the artwork on the Helmet that caught your eye. We have a new one which will be ready soon to bid on. Also we had a fantastic oil painting donated by the talented Richard Hubbard, We also had two Signed CD’s from

Paul Hardcastle. I have so many people to thank, including Heroes vodka, Julian Vosper, Steve Barnes Art , Julian Pope, Jacqueline Hurley Pearce Richard Hubbard, Kate Grille, Mark & Alison Montgomery

JN: What upcoming initiatives do you have? MMC: As a ﬁrst big event, we are holding a motorcycle challenge in which some ten motorcyclists will ride from the UK, through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and then back to Nijmegen in Holland, before following the same route in reverse. All this in two days! All the riders will be serving or ex-forces. This event will take place May 20-23 2016. I have also commissioned a new helmet, which depicts the Battle of Britain for the 75th anniversary.

JN: How did you come up with such and amazing design for the Helmet? MMC: I wanted to have one of my crash helmets painted in memory of our fallen, but, talking with the artist, I realized something very special could be done with this one-off helmet. To date bidding for the crash helmet has reached £1400.00,

JN: How do people find you? MMC: We are using the social media platforms, so through facebook, with our Ex Forces for PTSD page along with our Twitter account @familiesPTSD

You can view the Video for the Julian Pope single via: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TtFmq1EGghE to get involved you can Direct Message Martin @familiesPTSD or drop him an email. martmcconnell@yahoo.co.uk

32 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

> TOP IMAGE: MARTIN McCONNELL WITH HIS BIKE IN GERMANY THEN IMAGES OF A UNIQUE HELMET THAT WAS PAINTED IN MEMORY OF OUR FALLEN

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SIGHT: BLIND VETERANS UK

Jim Hooper

W Life beyond sight loss for blind and vision impaired exService men and women

> When someone loses their sight, the need for services and support to be available is vital in helping them overcome the challenges of blindness. That’s why Blind Veterans UK is here. Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision impaired exService men and women, provides lifelong practical and emotional support to help veterans adjust to life with sight loss and live full, independent lives.

Mark Pile W

hen 50-year-old former Reservist Mark Pile lost his sight, both he and his family found it hard to adjust. But since receiving support from Blind Veterans UK, Mark and his wife Trudy say their lives have completely changed. Mark served in the Light Infantry (TA) from 1984 to 1993 as a driver and bugle player. Mark was born with the hereditary condition amblyopia, which caused his sight to deteriorate, and after leaving the TA, things got much worse. In 2011, Mark was registered blind. In 2012, Mark contacted Blind Veterans UK for support. Mark has received vital equipment, training and emotional

support to help him regain his confidence and independence. He has also now discovered a talent for photography. Mark says: “The support that I’ve received from Blind Veterans UK has been truly amazing - it honestly saved my life and I’m a different person now.Visiting the Brighton centre showed me that there is still so much I can do despite my sight loss, from independent living skills to how to use a computer. “The charity also supported me to take up photography and framing, giving me a new lease of life. I’m now in a position to return to the Brighton centre to train another blind veteran in how to use Photoshop.”

34 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

WII veteran Jim Hooper lost his sight much later in life due to the condition age-related macular degeneration. As a long time supporter of Blind Veterans UK, Jim knew about the support the charity provided, so he got in touch with the charity as soon as he could. Jim joined the Territorial Army in 1939 before volunteering for the Glider Pilot regiment in the Army Air Corps in 1942. In 1944, Jim landed in Arnhem on the first day of the battle, and was captured by German troops, and spent seven months as a prisoner of war. Bravely, after being freed, Jim rejoined his regiment before leaving service in 1946. Years on, Jim was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration and cataracts which slowly robbed him of his sight. After getting in touch with Blind Veterans UK, Jim has received vital equipment to help him become more

independent at home, as well as training and emotional support. Jim said: “Blind Veterans UK has helped me regain my independence. It has given me an entirely new lease of life. The support from all of the people at the Brighton centre has been just brilliant - the IT instructors, the ROVIs, the carers, all of the staff. I can’t speak highly enough of them - they’re very, very supportive. “I’ve been given a computer to use at home, and I’ve learnt how to touch type. I’m competent at sending and receiving emails, I use the computer to write letters and documents and other such things. “Blind Veterans UK has given me a talking watch and a talking clock. They’ve also given me a CD player which I can listen to talking books on, I’ve listened to at least a dozen books and novels now. “I’d encourage anyone who may be eligible for support from Blind Veterans UK to get in touch with them.”

Blind Veterans UK will provide vital services and support to anyone who has served in the Armed Forces or done National Service and is now battling severe sight loss. If you, or someone you know, could benefit from Blind Veterans UK’s free, lifelong support, call 0800 389 7979 or visit noonealone.org.uk

Free services for Armed Forces and National Service veterans “Blind Veterans UK has helped me regain my independence. It has given me an entirely new lease of life.” Jim Hooper, Glider Pilot Regiment veteran with age-related sight loss

Call: 0800 389 7979 Visit: www.noonealone.org.uk Blind Veterans UK, 12–14 Harcourt Street, London, W1H 4HD Registered Charity No 216227 (England and Wales) and SC039411 (Scotland)

BRAIN TRAUMA

Hero paints a brighter future after injury > Provided By: HELP FOR HEROES

Before Injury

hen you meet Nick Hendry you cannot help but feel you want to make something of your life. Infectious enthusiasm oozes out of every pore and you come away thinking that anything is possible. Turn the clock back a few years, however, and it was a very different story. Before injury, Nick was on top of his game. He had been promoted to a Sergeant and was excelling as an Army Diving Supervisor with 23 Engineer Regiment, Air Assault, based in Woodbridge, Suffolk. With 19 years’ service under the belt he was well respected amongst his peers and preparing to go on his 6th operation in Afghanistan In May 2010, Nick visited Portsmouth to attend the annual diving symposium. Dressed in his suit, he had spent the evening with fellow colleagues in the town and was waiting for a taxi when Nick became aware of a hostile man. Nick doesn’t remember anything more. CCTV footage revealed he was violently assaulted, resulting in a brain bleed and remained in a coma for 30 days. The road to recovery was long and exhausting; a 30 minute walk on his zimmer frame to the hospital shop meant a 24 hour sleep afterwards just to recuperate. It was a frustrating time for Nick and he admits his anger increased as a result: “I didn’t realise back then how bad I was. I kept pushing myself to get better and do the things I had done before but the brain injury held me back. ”

A few months passed and although he was still struggling on the inside, Nick was allowed back to his unit where he hoped that life would return to normal. Instead he was told that due to his injuries he could never dive again. The news was a huge disappointment but, typical of Nick, he looked for a positive. With a wry smile he said: “I thought, at least I’d be able to jump again.” Sadly, the same reply came back. No diving and no jumping allowed. Nick could see everything that he had held dear to him disappearing through no fault of his own; his career he had worked hard for, his girlfriend, his confidence, self-esteem and pride. All had gone. Harder still, Nick found it difficult to control some of the things he was saying which led to some awkward situations. “I still remember my girlfriend saying to me ‘Why can’t you be like everyone else’? Her words cut like a knife. I was trying so hard to be ‘normal’ but because of the brain injury I couldn’t help the things that came out of my mouth.” It became very hard for Nick’s girlfriend and they went their separate ways soon after. Life was getting harder to cope with and after being diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder, Nick began smoking and finally he reached rock bottom. “I lit a cigarette and looked at the trees in the distance and thought about hanging myself because I just didn’t know who I was anymore.”

36 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

> MAIN IMAGE: Nick Hendry painting, > (BELOW) Nick’s digital art

> ABOVE: The awardwinning Chelsea Flower Show garden at the Help for Heroes Recovery Centre in Colchester.

Art therapy

or many people struggling with mental injuries Nick also encountered isolation, as friends and colleagues kept their distance and some even ridiculed him with hurtful comments. So in these times of isolation Nick picked up a paint brush and began painting and with the support of Help for Heroes, who had recognised the importance of art in his recovery and funded his art equipment, Nick was able to pursue his passion relentlessly. “One of the side effects of the brain injury is that when I have an idea I don’t stop. So with my painting I went out and bought all the equipment and spent hours upon hours on my pieces. I just couldn’t stop. I painted my heart out.” It was during this time that Nick came to stay at the Help for Heroes Recovery Centre, Chavasse VC House in Colchester and remained there for a year painting in his room or in the social lounge, producing Soldier and Boy which he exhibited at the Army Art Society and won Serving Artist of the Year twice. While staying at the Colchester Recovery Centre Nick heard about Help for Heroes’ Pathfinder programme. The Pathfinder Experience is Help for Heroes’ ﬂagship employability programme; a holistic 3 phase course that brings together all elements of a veteran’s life, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to progress into a meaningful vocation beyond the military. For Nick, the Pathfinder Experience helped him find direction and he loved every minute of it. “What I loved about the week was that it

Support at Recovery Centres

considered me as an individual. I wasn’t in a good place to make decisions about my future whilst I was still serving. The Pathfinder Experience, which is delivered by The Help for Heroes Career Recovery team, came at a time when I was ready.” Uniquely, The Pathfinder Experience matches each individual with a mentor who can share their experience within the civilian world as well as support and guide. Nick’s partnership with William Hamilton, who works for Deloitte, was a perfect match and when William heard Nick’s interest in graphic design and art managed to secure a two week’s work experience in Deloitte’s London Offices in the graphic design department. “I was like a sponge just wanting to soak up every nugget of information I could. Not only did I learn work related skills like Indesign and got the opportunity to work on a publication, I picked up valuable social skills too. For example, for the first couple of days I kept reporting to my colleagues I was going to lunch and they looked at me slightly strangely. Apparently you don’t have to do this in civvy street!” For Nick the future is full of possibilities and an impressive CV packed with awards, achievements and a portfolio of work any artist would be proud of: “Thanks to the Help for Heroes Pathfinder Experience I would never have been paired with William, never had gone to Deloitte and never have had the confidence to kick start my own business into graphic design and art. I hope anyone who reads this and is feeling anxious of the future will take something from my story and reach out.”

havasse VC House is one of four Help for Heroes Recovery Centres around the UK which provide a nationwide support network and form part of the Defence Recovery Capability. The aim is to provide support and inspiration in a relaxed, understanding and caring environment to overcome the challenges faced by those who have become wounded, injured and sick in service, as well as their families. Enabling them to reach their full potential is at the heart of Help for Heroes Recovery. Each of the four specialist Recovery Centres includes a free and conﬁdential Support Hub, bringing together charities and organisations to offer advice and guidance on topics such as money, health, housing and respite, all under one roof. Each Centre also provides training and skills courses, sports activities, psychological wellbeing support, education and employment advice, health and physical wellbeing support and off site and evening events. If you are wounded, injured or sick (Serving or a Veteran), Help for Heroes can support you and your loved ones. To ﬁnd out how H4H could help you please contact our Support Hub on 01206 814886 or visit www.helpforheroes.org. uk/get-support

BRAIN TRAUMA

Lt Col Stewart Hill’s story > Provided By: Walking with the Wounded

n 4th July 2009 whilst commanding B Company 2 MERCIAN in Afghanistan on the second day of Operation Panther’s Claw, Lt Col Stewart Hill suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).Stewart’s last memory of Afghanistan was watching a Chinook helicopter carry away his dead and injured soldiers. One of the soldiers had detonated an IED, killing him instantly and leaving a devastating effect. The same blast burst both of Stewart’s eardrums and shrapnel punctured into the back of his brain, stopping 1mm from his brain stem. Stewart suffered severe bruising on his right frontal lobe from where his brain was pressed into his skull. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as intracranial injury, occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. Brain trauma can occur as a consequence of a focal impact upon the head, by a sudden acceleration or deceleration within the cranium or by a complex combination of both movement and sudden impact. Stewart has been left with impairments in the area of the brain responsible for ‘executive function’ skills such as organising, planning, problem solving and decision making. He struggles with information processing and has memory difﬁculties. Stewart feels that he has become the opposite, the antithesis of what he was: from commanding hundreds of soldiers to now having great difﬁculty managing himself.

A couple of years ago Stewart began painting to help deal with his post injury depression. Painting provides a release for him, a therapy in which he feels alive and in 2013 Stewart decided it was time to follow this passion properly. Since then Walking With The Wounded has stepped in to support Stewart, funding a series of art courses for him to facilitate his desire to try to be the best artist he can possibly be. The funding from Walking With The Wounded’s First Steps programme will provide the foundation for his future independence. It will allow him to support himself financially, to help him to continue to rebuild his life and be proud of his new and independent identity. This year Stewart was awarded the Great Art prize at the 2015 Armed Forces Art Society exhibition at the Mall Galleries. Stewart commented: “Whilst the funding Walking With The Wounded has provided me with for my training is amazing, their support is more than financial. They support me in all ways they can to fulfil my dream. “My trauma is not a life sentence though I shall carry my brain damage for life. I am wounded walking and couldn’t be happier to be part of the core team for Walking With The Wounded’s next expedition, The Walk Of Britain. I hope my journey will inspire Britain to help many others resolve their personal trauma and re-establish their lives.

“I ask Britain to transform the lives of wounded veterans. “I ask Britain to help.”

38 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

ROGER DAKIN AND SMILE SMART TECHNOLOGY

fter over 20 years in his ﬁeld Roger Dakin understands all too well the realities of life after injury and the challenge of ﬁnding answers to physical problems on a daily basis. Achieving the fullest potential of individuals has always been the driving aim of Smile. Finding the determination and will to create a new life after injury takes extraordinary bravery and drive. The incredible achievements we have come to witness in recent times, of injured servicemen and women reaching the North Pole with

" Roger’s driving force is always to find a solution to any problem. " charities such as Walking with the Wounded and their participation in the Invictus Games have helped tremendously in bringing the effect that injury can have upon the lives of individuals, their families and friends to the public’s attention. The more able bodied, are the public face of injury and it is a great thing indeed that there is a public face, however there are many more servicemen and women who are rarely seen or heard and due to the injuries they have sustained serving in Her Majesties’ Forces, will spend the rest of their lives in a wheelchair with daily support from those who help care for them. In order for those men and

(aka ‘SMILE’) women to build a future for themselves and their families, they need to find the right help and support. Roger Dakin and his team at Smile Smart Technology, specialise in assessment and training for those in powerchairs or those hoping to move into one, and are the original developers and manufactrers of SMART technology for powerchairs. Smile also provide the switches, mounts and controls that can transform the ability of an individual, allowing them to communicate and mobilise themselves to their maximum potential. Working alongside therapists and charities, Smile provide mounts as a framework for a whole host of communication devices from those such as eye gaze recognition technology to an iPhone and using years of experience of finding solutions Smile also supply an array of switching to allow individuals to control their movement and communication devices with perhaps just their big toe or the suck of a straw. The transformation that the right technology can make to the quality of a person’s life cannot be underestimated. Often Roger has come across former servicemen who are living with very old technology and whose quality of life is deeply restricted but with an understanding of their needs, even with an often limited budget, he has found ingenious solutions to their problems. Witnessing the sense of autonomy and dignity that can be found from the correct supply and fitting of the right technology is the single greatest motivation for Roger and his team. The sense of an enhanced future is almost always the inspiration of the outstanding fundraising that Smile often witnesses and the extraordinary work of charities that support individual and their families. An enormous amount of Smile’s time and resources

are spent on research and development as there are a never ending array of problems to overcome and new solutions to find. Roger’s driving force is always to find a solution to any problem. Believing that Britain could be said to have lagged behind the more advanced methodology and research methods of Europe and the US, much of Smile’s work is to encourage industry and therapists to keep up to date with thinking and not to entrench themselves in past methodology. At the present time, Roger would encourage anyone who finds themselves with severe injuries or their families and carers to reach out and look for solutions themselves to help push the British market in

solutions forward. Having fun is an enormous incentive, and Smile, along with progressive technology charities such as SpecialEffect in Oxfordshire, use technology to enable stimulation and interaction with our modern world so that progressive integration can become a reality. Roger would hope to see a day when through innovation and the good application of the right technology all those unseen, currently housebound individuals, who feel that there is little hope of improved autonomy, will be as publically acknowledged and integrated as those we see climbing Everest and competing in the Invictus Games.

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MOTABILITY

CASE STUDY: Allen Parton

I Getting mobile with

otability is the UK’s leading car scheme for disabled people. Since it was set up on the initiative of the government in 1978, it has provided millions of people with affordable, convenient, trouble-free motoring through the provision of a new car. Powered wheelchairs and scooters can also be financed through the Scheme. Motability’s car and wheelchair schemes currently provide freedom and independence to over 640,000 disabled people and their families, across the UK. The Scheme is directed and overseen by Motability, a national charity that also raises funds and provides financial help to customers who would otherwise be unable to join the Scheme.

How the Motability Scheme works As a unique and successful collaboration of the public and private sectors, the Motability Scheme enables disabled people to use their government-funded mobility allowances to lease a new car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), powered wheelchair or scooter. Customers can choose a brand new car from a selection of over 2,000 models, from the major manufacturers, on a three (or five-year lease for WAVs). Insurance, road tax, breakdown cover, servicing, tyre and windscreen replacement are all included in a single monthly payment. A similar allinclusive hire plan is available for powered wheelchairs and scooters.

Many cars are available simply by customers transferring their allowance to Motability for the period of the agreement. However, on larger or more expensive models, an additional payment (known as an Advance Payment) may be required.

Who can apply? The Scheme is available to anyone who is receiving one of the following benefits, and has at least 12 months award length remaining when they apply: • Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance • Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment • War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement • Armed Forces Independence Payment A parent or carer can apply on behalf of a child aged three or older and those who cannot drive can apply for a car as a passenger. Once their application has been accepted, the customer pays all, or part of their allowance to Motability for the duration of the contract hire agreement.

Getting on the road Cars are supplied through a network of some 4,500 Motability Dealer Partners across the UK. There is also a national network of accredited retailers of powered wheelchairs and scooters.

For further information about the Motability Scheme, please call 0300 456 4566, or visit the Motability website: motability.co.uk

40 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

n 1991 Allen Parton was seriously injured in a RTA whilst serving in the Royal Navy during the Gulf War. Allen says “. I suffered a traumatic head injury which left me in hospital for five years. When I woke up shortly after the accident, I couldn’t recall being married, the birth of my children, or even read, write, walk or talk. It’s been a long recovery.” Allen continues “My life changed when I met an assistance dog called Endal. My wife worked with assistance dogs, and one day I attended a training class with her. It was there I met Endal – a puppy who was failing his training on medical grounds. Us two rejects found each other and I smiled – for the first time in five years. Gradually, with Endal’s help, I went from being a recluse to an active person again and slowly, he brought me back to my family. My life completely turned around, and I wanted to live life to the full, and Motability helps.” Allen is one of over 640,000 disabled people who choose to use their government-funded mobility allowance to lease a car, powered wheelchair or scooter through the Motability scheme. Allen chose a new Citroen Grand C4 Picasso with insurance, breakdown cover, servicing, maintenance and replacement tyres all included on a three year lease. Allen says “We got our first car 18 years ago, and it’s like joining an exclusive club – a Motability family. Motability are there to help you and knowing that you’ve got backup and not on your own if a problem arises, gives peace of mind.” “My Motability car gives me the freedom and independence I need! Sadly, Endal passed away in 2009, but he gave so many years of loyal service, even saving my life on one occasion.” Allen started the charity Hounds for Heroes, to provide specially trained assistance dogs to injured and disabled service men and women and the civilian emergency services. Allen travel’s around with EJ, his new dog, for fundraising events and meetings, his Motability car is invaluable.

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ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL

lanning your holiday is both exciting and stressful, even more so if you have a disability that your hotel and travel need to accommodate. Here is the Fight Through guide on how to navigate the mine field of finding suitable holidays that you and your whole family can enjoy.

Thankfully there is a wealth of holiday providers that cater for a whole range of disabilities, meeting your specific needs. We would certainly recommend looking at www.disabledholidaysdirectory.co.uk as they provide an exhaustive list of suitably equipped destinations. From camping in the UK through to Cruises and everything in between, finding your perfect holiday is very achievable.

However, what happens if you want to go away with your old mates in the mainstream holiday market place? Look at the best way of doing this so you don’t miss out, or feel left behind.

Most importantly you should ASK THE QUESTION! You know your own situation and what support you actually need, so ask your tour operator to find out directly what is available from the hotel / place you are staying. This is especially important when booking abroad, as many countries are not as advanced as the UK in disability access. Alternatively you can send an email to your chosen destination direct, before booking, asking your specific questions. Don’t forget to also ask about Pubs, Clubs and Restaurants in the area, and which of these have the facilities you require. Check out the terrain. For instance, if you have issues with walking too far, and you don’t particularly require a fantastic hotel, if the nearest pub is described as “only a short distance away,” that could turn out to be a 10 minute walk, for an able bodied person, and up a bank. Traveling to and from your destination can be one of the biggest challenges. Again speak direct to your airline, explain your situation and ask what provisions they have in place

to make your journey more comfortable. Although UK airports have fantastic facilities, your destinations airport may not. Prior planning on all the small issues, like ‘does the airport have a down stairs café, or a lift to an upper floor?’ can help make you more comfortable in the long term. When travelling by train it is worth noting that not all stations have disabled access. It is always worth taking a look at your destination, to see if that station can accommodate. If not, look at the nearest station with disabled access, and take in to account the extra expense of getting from this station to your actual destination. Once your choice is made and research done, the next issue is finding appropriate insurance cover for your holiday. Thankfully, there are a number of companies available who cover a whole range of injuries, including PTSD. Insurance choice is one of these providers, they take on board your individual situation and work with you, not against you. >

ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL

“For those who have suffered from or are battling a serious medical condition, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, we know it can be a daunting task to find the right travel insurance.“

Ava Heron, Insurance Choice Travel Department Manager comments:

policies for our customers. Currently 60%* of our travel customers have a pre-existing medical condition. Unlike the vast majority of travel insurance brokers, we can secure cover to include over 250 conditions without medical screening and are also “For those who have suffered from or able to offer policies to customers awaiting are battling a serious medical condition, treatment or suffering with an undiagnosed such as post-traumatic stress disorder, we disorder. Whether a customer’s condition know it can be a daunting task to find the is considered mild, severe or terminal, right travel insurance. Here at Insurance working with a range of specialist insurers, Choice, we have an experienced team of JN2215_AB_IC_TravelInsuranceAd_PRINT.pdf 1 22/06/2015 09:41 we endeavour to find the right bespoke advisors who work hard to source tailored

policy for them at a competitive price. For more information or to speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable advisors, call us now on 01926 454890.” *based on all policies incepted between 1st April 2014 and 31st March 2015. We hope this piece helps in some small way for you to have a hassle free, and amazing holiday experience.

Specialist travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions C

Everyone deserves a holiday, time to relax, unwind and leave the world behind. At Insurance Choice we know that it can be stressful trying to find travel insurance, particularly when you have one or multiple pre-existing conditions. We work with some of the industry’s leading specialist travel providers to arrange the right cover for you, at the right price. Ensuring your medical past doesn’t hold back your future!

CMY

We consider all conditions from PTSD to limb amputations. Whatever your history, we aim to have your future covered.

Call us today for your quote

01926 454 890 www.insurancechoice.co.uk

Insurance Choice is a trading name of Insurance Factory Ltd. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No. 306164). Registered in England and Wales (No. 02982445). Registered Office: 45 Westerham Road, Bessels Green, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2QB

44 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL

• 8 accessible luxury lakeside lodges in Devon • 5 Caravan Club CL pitches with electric hook up • Well stocked 1.5 acre coarse fishing lake • Heated indoor pool (April-October) • Licensed bar and games room • Orchard and woodland walk • Dogs welcome

01409 211140 info@blagdonfarm.co.uk www.blagdonfarm.co.uk

Supported & Accessible Holidays New Horizons Support Services is a Local Independent Social Enterprise that is dedicated to offering a Person Centred approach to Home Care, Respite Services and Supported Holidays, providing solutions to each individuals needs.

Where will your adventure take you? Offering all terrain scooter hire at over 30 of South West England’s best outdoor attractions.

Supporting people to have unique experiences New Horizons Support Services provides a range of supported holiday packages from group holidays to tailor-made packages to suit an individual’s requirements. We also provide support to families who wish to have a holiday as a like support in doing so.

To find out more about our Services go to our website or contact our team to discuss your individual needs: info@newhorizonssupportservices.co.uk

+44 (0)1534 888 826

www.countrysidemobility.org

LEGAL

WHERE TO TURN

for Legal Advice after an Accident? > > By Louise Baker, Solicitor at Ltd.

e all know accidents can happen – but sometimes these accidents can have devastating consequences and are avoidable. Serving personnel are dedicated and committed, working in difﬁcult circumstances doing vitally important work and they deserve to have the best equipment, training, and management to enable them to do their job safely. Being in the Armed Forces is demanding and often dangerous but the Ministry of Defence has a duty to keep personnel safe if it can and to reduce the risk of accident and injury. Most of the time this is what happens – but what can you do if something goes wrong?

“

The most important thing that any injured person wants is support be it financial, medical or practical to get themselves back on their feet.

does have a limited power to extend the three year time limit but you should not rely on this. If you want to make a claim to the AFCS you have seven years to do so. Again there are exceptions but these are limited and you should not rely on them. The key is to seek advice early on so as to maximise your chances of having a successful claim. The most important thing that any injured person wants is support be it ﬁnancial, medical or practical to get themselves back on their feet. A specialist military claims advisor will be able to help you get that provision early on in your claim if fault on the part of the Ministry of Defence is accepted and this will help you to maximise your recovery.

If it does, then you can make a claim against the Ministry of Defence for negligence and a claim to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. If you were injured on or before 5th April 2005, then your claim will be under the War Pensions Scheme and not to the AFCS. The two types of claim are different and you can pursue both of them in relation to the same injury.

Understandably you will want an idea as to what your claim might be worth. An experienced advisor will be able to give you an early indication. Every case is different but if you have been discharged from the Army because of your injuries you may well be entitled to a signiﬁcant award to compensate you for your injury and loss of career. If you are making a claim to the AFCS then you will be awarded compensation based on a tariff scheme.

For a successful negligence claim the Ministry of Defence must have been at fault for your accident. Different rules do apply if you are injured in combat situations – but even then the Ministry of Defence has a responsibility to make sure you were properly trained and equipped. To make a claim to the AFCS you must be able to show that your injuries were caused by your service or made worse by service.

Thankfully, even working in the Armed Forces in a challenging and fast moving environment, accidents are rare. If things do go wrong, remember serving personnel have the same rights to be protected and compensated as other working people. Seek advice as soon as you can from a specialist advisor with experience in military claims to ensure you receive the best possible support.

As a rule of thumb compensation received in one type of claim will be taken into account in the other. Advisors who specialise in military claims will be able to help you decide which is the best claim or claims for you to make to ensure you are properly compensated. Take action early on if you think you may want to make a claim and remember you can make a claim whilst you are still serving. If you delay in making a claim it can have very serious consequences. Critically, if you leave it too late you might be prevented from making a claim altogether because there are strict time limits which have to be complied with. A negligence claim needs to be started at Court within three years of the date of injury or the date that you knew your injury was caused by or linked to an original accident or incident. The Court

46 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

HARRIS FOWLER HAS AN EXPERIENCED SPECIALIST TEAM DEALING WITH MILITARY PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS If you or a family member, either still serving or already left the military, have been involved in an incident where you have suffered an injury and would like free, no obligation, expert advice, please call our FREEPHONE number 0800 132965. Or visit us online at www.harrisfowler.co.uk.

You may be entitled to compensation for injuries sustained whilst in operational theatres, in training or at any time. Harris Fowler has a specialist Military Injury team who are dedicated to helping soldiers rebuild their lives.

To protect you and your family’s future

CALL FREE or VISIT us online 0800 132 965

harrisfowler.co.uk

It’s NO WIN, NO FEE.

Harris Fowler is a trading name of Harris Fowler Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority No. 558271

NUTRITION

Informed-Sport - Managing the Risk of Supplements Use > Provided By: LGC GROUP

Imagine you are an elite athlete who has dedicated years to being the very best you can be. Early mornings, missed holidays, no late nights with mates down the pub; no strolling home in the wee hours after another party - just hours and hours of endless training.

nd then, completely out of the blue, your life comes crashing down. The latest sample you submitted for a drugs test comes up positive.You know you haven’t intentionally taken anything, you never would; it’s not your style to cheat. But there it is, clear as day on the drugs report, an anabolic steroid. And then the penny drops; you remember using a new supplement product, one recommended to you.You hadn’t checked whether it had been tested, there was so much else going on. You know you should have checked.You know supplements can be contaminated with banned substances, and you know there are brands that undergo rigorous testing on Informed-Sport. Inside you are kicking yourself for not checking.

This is called ‘inadvertent doping’, and it happens to athletes of all levels across the world on a regular basis. High profile cases include former world 100m sprint champion Asafa Powell, US Open tennis champion Marin Cilic and, most recently, Welsh athletes Rhys Williams and Gareth Warburton, both of whom missed last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after inadvertently failing tests. The consequences can be devastating. There are means for an athlete to prove their innocence and have their sanction reduced, but it’s not easy and it can be expensive. Furthermore, their careers will always be tainted with doubt. Mud sticks, especially doping mud. Inadvertent doping can be just as damaging for members of the armed forces, perhaps even more so. Due to a zero tolerance policy, a failed test for steroids can result in a military career coming to an abrupt and premature end. The MOD takes steroid abuse extremely seriously, and rightly so. Steroids are manufactured drugs, prescription-only medicines. They are not designed to help military personnel complete tough training exercises, or for gym enthusiasts to develop more muscle as they become slaves to the modern preoccupation with body image. Steroid abuse carries a very real health

48 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

" Inadvertent doping can ibe just as damaging for members of the armed forces, perhaps even more so. Due to a zero tolerance policy... " .

> ABOVE:

risk. The risks vary for men and women, but in general terms it leads to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It impacts the function of vital organs, results in severe acne. And how many men do you know that would welcome shrunken testicles? And then there are the aggressive mood swings, the rages and loss of control. Not what you want in the military where people are handling weapons and in charge of deadly machinery. The abuse of steroids in the armed forces has been documented in the media, and the MOD has acted swiftly and decisively to try and stamp it out. All members of the forces face occupational drug tests, designed to identify steroid abuse, as well as recreational drug abuse. The penalties for failing can be severe. The use of sports supplements is widespread in the military, just as it is in society as a whole. Certain brands even target the armed forces, as they are seen as a regular and significant consumer. And while the supplements industry as a whole has made significant strides in recent years to clean up its act, the incidence of contamination is still high enough for products to carry a very real risk to a military career. Banned substances can get into products through cross contamination within a

manufacturing site, especially if that site is also producing pharmaceutical goods. Products can become contaminated at source, with a prohibited substance somehow getting into a batch of raw material. Research over the last decade has shown that 1 in 10 products that do not undergo regular and ongoing testing will be contaminated. It was for this reason that InformedSport was established in 2008 by anti-doping specialists HFL Sport Science, with the collaboration and support of UK Anti-Doping (UKAD). The industry needed a means to show that it was providing products with a high level of quality assurance, and Informed-Sport was the solution. Informed- Sport is a very rigorous programme, and LGC – which acquired HFL back in 2010 – makes no excuses. The programme is based on two fundamental pillars: a thorough pre-registration audit that includes testing 5 samples, and ongoing testing of every batch produced. That’s right, every batch. Only if a manufacturer commits to this level of testing scrutiny can they bring a product on to the programme. It’s not sufficient to test just one batch and then assume the product is fine because it comes back negative. Every batch needs to go through the lab

because only then can the general consumer – and especially those that face doping tests – have any level of confidence that the product they are taking is not contaminated. Informed-Sport started with just one customer, but now has more than 370 products registered, offering the full range of product types and matrices. A consumer does not have to look elsewhere because there is more than enough choice. The message now from the MOD is clear and simple: if you are going to use a sports supplement make sure it is on the Informed-Sport programme. It cannot be any clearer. When choosing a product make sure it carries the Informed-Sport logo, but check also that the product is listed on the Informed-Sport website. And finally, if you are likely to undergo any form of testing, there is a spreadsheet on the website which allows consumers to crossreference batch numbers of the product they are using with batches tested by InformedSport. Some may consider this a bit of a pain in the proverbial, but in reality it is just a slight adjustment of purchasing habits. InformedSport protects supplements users and protects careers, and this far outweighs any inconvenience.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY

WHAT’S STOPPING YOU? >> Written By: Nikki Robinson MCSP

ny injury can lead to longterm physical and emotional changes that may prevent you getting back to leading a normal life. Although the initial treatment and rehabilitation offered immediately after injury in the Armed Forces is world class, where do you go once that has finished? Over 30 years ago, an American Physiotherapist called John Barnes developed a technique which enabled him to work with his patients’ bodies and achieve amazing results. He now teaches therapists from all over the world and research is continuing to push forward the understanding of how and why it works. This treatment is called Myofascial Release. Every cell in our bodies is connected by a continuous web of connective tissue called the myofascia. This three dimensional network gives us strength, flexibility and stability and it means that no part of the body exists in isolation. The myofascia solidifies and shortens in response to any kind of trauma (physical or emotional). It will slowly tighten, spreading tension throughout the whole body. Scar tissue can cause problems in the immediate area of your injury by tightening and

distorting the soft tissue. But its effects become much more wide spread if it stays very tight. As scars have little elasticity, they restrict the myofascia surrounding them. This in turn can bring about tightness and symptoms elsewhere in the body. Myofascial Release is a gentle, hands-on treatment that works with your body to unravel restrictions that cause pain, tightness and inﬂammation. It is particularly useful for scars and reducing adhesions, reaching underlying scar tissue that is otherwise difﬁcult to access. It also works with the nervous system, which may help to relieve phantom pains and emotional trauma. Holisticare is a specialist treatment centre, all the therapists are experts in Myofascial Release. Obviously they can’t cure everything but there is a good chance that they can make a difference to most symptoms that people present with. Many of Holisticare’s patients have previously tried many other treatments with limited success. By working with their patients’ bodies, the therapists at Holisticare help people with conditions that are hard to treat and enable them to live normal lives again.

“

Myofascial Release is a gentle, hands-on treatment that works with your body to unravel restrictions that cause pain, tightness and inflammation.

So what’s stopping you? Holisticare Physiotherapy & Myofascial Release

01279 718331 www.holisticare.co.uk Brook View, Town Farm, Hatﬁeld Broad Oak, Herts. CM22 7LF

‘‘

It’s hard to ﬁnd words to describe just how amazed and delighted I am ... I was living with muscular pain after twice breaking vertebrae. NHS physios told me they could do no more for me and I managed my life slowly, on painkillers. And then I went to see Nikki and I can’t believe how much she helped me and in such a short time. So I’m back on track ... the pain has gone and the stoop has gone and I can’t stop saying ‘WOW’ to anyone who’ll lisen. She said it’s not a miracle .... it’s Myofascial Release ... but it’ll always feel like a miracle to me!

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t your ﬁrs £25 oﬀ care ti s li o H at is session ention th if you m en you h w article book.

50 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

My only regret is that I waited so long to get my ﬁrst appointment.

Nikki Robinson MCSP

HOW TO FIND US... The Holisticare treatment centre was purpose built in June 2012 and is wheelchair accessible with free parking next to the building. It is located on a farm in Hatﬁeld Broad Oak, near Bishop’s Stortford, with easy access to the M11 and Stansted Airport.

FACIAL INJURIES

speaks with Fight Through editor Joanne Nattress, about his injury sustained in Afghanistan.

ot all injuries are instantly noticeable, some are more subtle and may go unnoticed; however they are life changing injuries all the same. This is Marine Alex Lenaghan’s story. Marine Alex Lenaghan was part of Op HERRICK 9 Afghanistan in 2008 with 45 Commando Royal Marines. Operating out of FOB Jackson he was sent to secure the compound known as “Star Wars” to provide covering fire. Alex was the Top Cover on the Second Patrol vehicle when it hit an IED. The Jackal was picked up and spun round and all three occupants were thrown clear. In his own words Alex’s thought process was, “What the ***k was that!” followed by “This is what it feels like to be hit” then Alex remembered his training, knowing that Top Cover normally end up squashed when the vehicle falls on them, he immediately stood up, finding himself in a small stream. Instinct took over and he started to check for injuries. “The first place I checked was my balls, then legs and arms, and just to make doubly sure checked my balls again” Alex thought he was not injured, but soon spat out blood and teeth. His body armour breast plate had propelled upward which had broken and dislocated his Jaw. Again Alex remembered what he was taught, that most IED’s are a prelude to a fire fight. He realised he was vulnerable and unarmed as his rifle was back in the Jackal. Scrambling back to his vehicle he searched

in vain for his rifle. At that point he became aware that the other lads were injured. Alex saw one of his colleagues and thought he was dead; the Driver had broken his foot. The other vehicle in the patrol arrived to provide cover and the medics got to work. He was taken back to Bastion by the MERT (Medical Emergency Response Team) Alex later found out that his friend and colleague had not died at the roadside, but en route back to Bastion. Alex spent 8 days at Bastion then returned back to the UK and spent one night at the Queen Elizabeth hospital Alexandra Wing. The next day he returned home with his Mum and his now wife. Alex lives every day with the guilt of not being able to return to Afghanistan, feeling his injuries were not that bad, and he could be operational, however he was put on medical leave and was at home from January 2009 to September 2009. Every day he battled with survivor’s guilt, and worried what the “lads” would think, as to look at him he was perfectly fine. However with jaw injuries, they take a long time to heal correctly, Eating is a very painful challenge, and feeling physically fit is different to being physically fit. In 2012 Alex left the marines and has since gone on to work for BT Openreach, in the North East of England. Alex was 24 when he was injured, and now at aged 30 he continues to serve his country. He is serving with the Royal Marine Reserves Tyne, which he has found helps him with readjusting to Civvy life.

INSERT PICTURE: MARINE ALEX LENAGHAN AS TOP COVER.

EMPLOYMENT

WANT A SOLUTION to your current recruitment crisis? > WRITTEN By: Simon Weston OBE / ANAtech Resource Ltd

T “

There has been some hesitation to use ex-forces in certain areas of industry and that maybe due to the fact that some groups simply don’t know ‘how to recruit’ ex-forces.

here have been many articles in the press and online media about the current state of technical recruitment, and issues this may cause industry if not addressed, but we are finding time and time again that the actual recruiting bodies are still retaining their old processes which has contributed to the issues faced today.

This ‘translation’ service is an extremely important aspect of getting the right people for the right job. The worst thing our guys can do is send in a CV to someone who has little to no understanding of the Armed Forces. Their terminology and language is very different to what is usually expected resulting generally be CV being discarded. Our aim is to help those clients in desperate need of technical resource overcome this initial step.

Being an advocate of forces recruitment for many years I am constantly frustrated by the lack of understanding of the skills available from the armed forces. The British Armed Forces have been trained to an extremely high level with skills which are transferable to many industries.

Make no mistake, these guys and girls are highly trained, highly motivated and extremely keen. They have had to carry out their jobs in conditions and locations most will never see in a lifetime. These guys really are the best in the world therefore should be a real target for a skill strapped industry.

To take advantage of this companies are going to have to find more and more inventive ways to resolve the problem before the issue starts to have a real commercial impact on business and the UK in general.

Some areas of industry already understand the benefits and where they have gone into highly technical roles they have been a credit to the armed forces and the companies they represent and as a result promotion often follows much quicker than their civilian counterparts.

I am so passionate about this subject that I have joined ANAtech Resource to help raise the profile of the issues faced by ex-Forces after they leave their military careers in finding gainful and challenging employment. I have seen over many years, individuals with not only exemplary military careers but also exemplary technical careers simply passed over for menial jobs in the civilian workforce. For me this is extremely frustrating knowing what companies could gain from these highly motivated individuals. I joined ANAtech Resource because they have a great balance of real industry experience and recruitment know-how and as they are ex-forces themselves they speak the languages of both sides. This is an extremely important aspect due to the sometimes unrealistic expectations of our ex-forces colleagues and limited knowledge of the available skills from our clients.

52 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

The areas of industry which could really benefit from these groups is O&G, Nuclear, Automotive and Utilities. I have joined ANAtech Resource to help promote these world class Engineers and Technicians to industries that are already experiencing a skills shortage and until the STEM generation catch up the ex-Forces are a great stop gap. There has been some hesitation to use exforces in certain areas of industry and that maybe due to the fact that some groups simply don’t know ‘how to recruit’ ex-forces. Often the mistakes made are to simply use civilian methods (open job posts for ex-forces) and then the expectations are as they would expect with civilians, due to the difference in terminology this will only provide limited success. If there is one area where a consultancy is required to get the best results then this is it.

FORWARD ASSIST

FORWARD ASSIST FORCES - VETERAN - CITIZEN

orward Assist is a veteran support service based in North Tyneside that offers person centred oriented support and guidance to exservicemen and women who are experiencing difficulties in adjusting to a new life as a civilian. The organisation support programmes are designed for ex-servicemen and women who have involvement with the criminal justice system and/or are experiencing drug and alcohol addiction, housing problems, mental health difficulties and social exclusion. Every year an estimated 8,000-16,000 people leave the Armed Forces and return to live and work in the civilian community. For many the transition is seamless, yet for a significant number the journey is made difficult by an inability to re-establish themselves and settle back into in a society they no longer identify with. This process may lead to relationship difficulties, alcohol and drug misuse, unemployment, homelessness, involvement with the Criminal Justice System, and for those suffering from diagnosed or undiagnosed PTSD, self-imposed isolation, self-harm or suicide. An increasing number may find that they become marginalised and disenfranchised from main stream services and support and as a result experience chronic social exclusion and are accessing mental health services, social services support, drug and alcohol services.

In response to this Forward Assist have empowered those that have served their country and by doing so enable them to gain control and choice over their own recovery pathway and that of their fellow comrades so that they can then make a positive contribution to society. After the initial transition to civilian life, many of our servicemen & women progress onto very meaningful & successful lives. However for the growing number who don’t there follows a lengthy period of resettlement, boredom, frustration and isolation; these can be the biggest challenges facing an individual during this time. By bringing those, at different stages of their resettlement journey together and by using a holistic & therapeutic approach to mental, physical and social rehabilitation, Forward Assist aims to make a difference by restoring self - respect and inspiring individuals to fulﬁl their full potential. We promote positive mental and physical health through the provision of activities that improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation especially those experiencing poor-health, disability and/or post traumatic stress disorder. The therapeutic aspect of our service is based on group activities, sport, education and personal development. By promoting and encouraging mutual support self-help between serving personnel and veterans past and present we develop a role and sense of purpose for those that have felt disaffected following a return to the civilian community.

Forward Assist has a track record of providing a physically safe and psychologically secure environment to aid those who have served in the UK Armed Forces. Many of whom have suffered physical injury and/or acute stress as a result of their service to their country. Veterans in contact with Forward Assist have had the following presenting issues: Physical Ill Health, Mental Health Issues, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Employment Issues, Homelessness, Drugs and Alcohol Issues, Family Breakdown, perpetrators and victims of Domestic Violence, Social Exclusion / Isolation, need for welfare advice, Life Skills, Debt Management, Legal assistance. Whilst combining the opportunity to learn new skills and by promoting social integration Forward Assist assists serving personnel and veterans back into the communities of their choice and by doing so improves the possibility of a meaningful and rewarding future. We do this in order to help veterans utilise and translate military skills into meaningful activity within the civilian community and work place. We ensure new skills are learnt and used to best effect and compliment and aid an individual’s assimilation back to the community.

> CONTACT US T: 0191 294 3539 E: admin@forward-assist.com W: www.forward-assist.com

Use your skills to give something back by training to teach at the University of Sunderland Pupils would benefit from the experience, background and skills that you have gained in the armed forces The skills and experiences you have gained during your time in the Armed Forces are invaluable, and our education system needs you to bring these to our schools. You could have the potential to become an outstanding teacher As a teacher, you can inspire the next generation and help them realise their ambitions Once you have qualified you can enjoy enviable job security and a generous pension. The average starting salary for newly qualified teachers in England is ÂŁ24,200 Subject areas: Maths, Science, English, Geography, Design and Technology, Business, Computer Science, Post-Compulsory Education and Training

For more information visit our website or talk to our friendly Admissions team: Tel: 0191 515 3845 Email: ell.enquiries@sunderland.ac.uk

www.sunderland.ac.uk

PACE REHABILITATION

Marathon Effort by Ex-military Amputees

wo military service injured amputees lined up for the 2015 London Marathon recently, each with their own personal goals. Israeli Eitan Hermon had his right leg amputated (below the knee) in 2006 when a roadside bomb struck his tank whilst serving in the Lebanon War. Despite his life changing injury, he was determined to lead as active a life as possible. As a result, he has become a very accomplished long distance runner, competing in Marathon’s around the world. Recently, the 6’ 5” athlete has focused his attention on claiming the world record for a single leg amputee, at the Marathon distance of 26 mile 385 yards (currently 2h 54m 06s). In anticipation of his attempt (with support from Israeli charity Tikvot), Eitan was provided with a bespoke running prosthesis at rehabilitation specialists Pace Rehabilitation in England. As Pace prosthetist Jamie Gillespie said, “Like any athlete, Eitan wants to improve upon his personal best, so we are proud to be assisting him with his efforts.” The other incredible ex-serviceman who lined up in the capital, for the world famous race, was Duncan Slater. However, in addition to embarking on his inaugural Marathon since becoming an amputee, he was facing the added challenge of attempting the grueling distance having lost both legs! Like Eitan, Duncan’s vehicle was struck be an IED, but in Afghanistan (2009). Following an incredible rehabilitation journey, which included the decision to have of both of his legs amputated below the knee, Duncan proved his astonishing determination by becoming the first bilateral leg amputee to walk to the South Pole, as part of the Walking With The Wounded challenge with Prince Harry in 2013. Last year injury had prevented Duncan starting the London Marathon, but thanks to his own disciplined training and accomplished prosthetic support, he was confident this time around. As he said prior to the race, “I feel in much better shape this year. Last year we’d only just returned from the South Pole, so it was a big ask.” Adding, “This time I feel much better prepared.”

> DUNCAN WITH HIS RUNNING BLADES

His prosthetist at Pace, George Tagliaferro, worked closely with Duncan over several months, leading up to the Marathon. As George explains, “As Duncan’s training distances increased, spending more time on his running blades, it would highlight new niggles. So to keep his on track, we’ve finetuned and made adjustments to his prostheses to keep him comfortable to give him the best chance to complete the race.” Come race day, both men anxiously waited on the start line, each determined to achieve their own targets. Eitan started from a dedicated start line for elite disabled competitors, a class where he was the sole leg amputee. Meanwhile Duncan was amongst the mass start of 35,000 competitors, so welcomed the presence of his running buddy Chris Moore, as he tottered on his blades. As Duncan recalled, “The thousands of spectators who lined the course were fantastic, especially the supporters from Walking with The Wounded and BLESMA who spurred me on.” Duncan was delighted to complete the race in just under 5-hours, a fantastic achievement at his first attempt and another significant milestone in his incredible rehabilitation. Meanwhile, Eitan had maintained a good pace throughout the vast majority of the race, but succumbed to the demanding London route, crossing the finish line in a time of 3h 7m 10s, 13 minutes outside of the world record. Afterwards Eitan was philosophical about his race, saying “I gave it my all and that’s how things turned out.” He will make another attempt to claim the world record when he competes in the Berlin Marathon in September. Duncan also intends to keep on running and is considering competing in even longer distance events in the future. Whatever the pair achieve in the future, their performances at the 2015 London Marathon were truly inspirational.

> EITAN USING HIS BESPOKE RUNNING PROSTHESIS

> DUNCAN & CHRIS AFTER FINISHING THE LONDON MARATHON

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BY FORCES, FOR FORCES:

BROKEN BACK MOUNTAIN

An anonymous female Warrant Officer speaks to Kris Bhudoye

“M

y last words were “I’m going to ski down the hill, up that ramp, do a 360 and land on top of that mini.” She was skiing in France in 2008. “I didn’t actually mean any of it, I just intended to ski downhill and stop. But there was a guy in my way. I went over his skis and didn’t have time to stop. So I thought I’d land on the soft snow” It wasn’t soft snow. It was concrete hard snow, formed into a wall by recent ploughing. “I hit it, bum first. if, like me, you’ve never broken a bone before you start to think you’re invincible, I was mistaken” “At first I felt winded, wheezing like an asthmatic in a sandstorm, which led to the usual squaddie response of laughter at the downed would-be ski-ninja. Suddenly a wave of unbelievable pain, shooting up from my feet to my neck increasing in strength, four minutes, which felt like four hours, later paramedics were summoned. They placed a neck brace on me, which only works if you’re lying straight. When you’re in the foetal position it’s more of a hindrance” “Begging for some anaesthetic, I was given gas and air, this made me laugh – but it was the best form of immediate pain relief imaginable. Eventually the hospital gave me morphine.” “I can neither confirm nor deny my

memories of the following X-Ray and CT scans, due to the morphine. However, the memory of being told by a French speaking doctor, through the medium of dance, that the diagnosis was a broken spine is still fresh in my mind. Leaving me to ponder what it meant, because had no English to back up the dancing. If you’ve ever been told you’ve broken your back through interpretive dance you’ll think “That’s it, I’m paralysed.” “The rest was a bit of a blur; transferring to Hospital, a 14 hour operation, grafting a metal frame to my spine, fusing 5 vertebrae, and family visits.” “The best thing to happen at the start of recovery was a physio ordering me to stand up, and showing me how. I’d scoffed at the idea of ever walking again, but obeyed, 72 hours after a life changing accident; I was on my bloody feet! The worst thing? Constantly checking my bowels were still working. And you’ll be surprised by how much you need your back for everything. The first time I went to the toilet I realised how important your back is in order to wipe effectively.” “During early therapy was on camp, learning how to manoeuvre. If I dropped something, I’d get down on my knees to get it, using the pipes on the wall to get back up. This was fine until the heating came on! Then I had to wait on all fours, until someone came to visit. Luckily I had lots of visitors.” Rehab was actually enjoyable. Forgetting what I used to be capable of, I focused every session on being a little bit better than last

time. It’s rewarding to improve so much on a weekly basis. I became addicted to it. Running, jumping and jogging were an absolute no-no until around 2 months after the accident. So ‘bounce-walking’ became an interesting sight for my colleagues.” “After 5 months the first basic fitness test loomed. My first mile and a half after rehab, I managed 17 mins 30 secs. I’ve never been so happy to fail a fitness test! Two weeks later I managed 14 mins 30 secs. I’d made big improvements, which inspired me to work harder”She went back to work part-time. Increasing working hours, while making gains in physical ability. “The hardest thing about doing rehab and physio isn’t the work - its other people watching, judging and doubting you. They’d all seen me at my worst. Most of them wrote me off. So I decided I was going to get fully fit; able to do all aspects of my job, or I was going to leave the Army” “It wasn’t always easy - pushing yourself too hard, leads to painful setbacks. I will always be P3 (limited deployment), as these metal plates are now part of me. Surgeons possibly don’t think about carrying a Bergen on top of ‘perfectly positioned’ metal plates on your spine.” Her determination paid off. Successfully declared fit she was posted to the Falkland Islands. “Once there no one knew how badly I’d been injured. I joined in with everything I could. I managed to run 10 miles without stopping! I am now fitter than before my injury.”

K C Y I A B S DES HEADBUTTS HIS OWN GENITALS

BY FORCES, FOR FORCES:

Ouch My Foot! I was on a night out with the lads, when we spot a woman in crazy shoes, the shoes were so high, as she walked passed she accidently stood on my foot, I yelped out in pain. The woman was so apologetic, and embarrassed, but looked confused as my mates laughed hysterically. She turned and asked what was so funny, and was informed, she had stood on my “False leg” the lady was less than impressed, gave me a look of discussed turned and stormed away.

They say don’t throw yourself out of a perfectly serviceable aircraft. Even with a parachute. Especially if you get your feet caught in the rigging lines and can’t get them out. In Des’s own words “After a while you just have to get tight and accept the landing.” In this case he had to accept landing on his head, subsequently breaking his nose with his own genitals. No easy feat. (I wish the direct quote was suitable to print…) Then there was the issue of being dragged along the deck because, in his state, he couldn’t collapse his Canary chute. “The 3 Para bloke that finally did it for me said I was screaming like a…(I’ve edited this bit for print – imagine a goat that is having unsuitable things done to it and you get the idea.) How he knew what that actually sounded like is another question!” continues Des. “Then the RAF medic didn’t put the spinal board seat belt on properly. So at the first roundabout I’m face down in the middle of the ambulance floor, half of me laughing and the other half in clip.” “And that’s before the doctor fingered me hoop,” (in his own words, remember) “as a lesson for a room full of young, female, student nurses. But did I let them cut off my new jungle trousers? Did I ***k.” he concludes. The end result? Surviving with 1 x crushed vertebrae, 2 x slipped discs and an S1 annular tear. But at least they saved his jungle trousers.

GRENADE!! Pop smoke. By Anon. The moral of this story is Don’t Stand Near A Grenade When It Functions. And when someone says “Should you be that close when we chuck these?” don’t just reply “Aye, it’ll be fine. How else am I going to get a good photo?” I mean, I did get a good photo of a smoke grenade functioning. But, still… The idea was simple: Who can throw a smoke grenade closest to the middle of a circular target, some metres away. The idea of taking photos at the same time wasn’t a bad one. Safety distances be damned. Or just ignored. So I’m snapping away, while the lads compete to pop smoke in the designated target area. And to get a properly ally photo, I’m edging closer to that target area. Brilliant flash, bang, smoke and blinding pain come next, and before I go down like I’ve been hit by a sniper, I stand there in surprised shock for a few seconds. “That hit you…” pointed out the thrower of the grenade, running towards me. It wasn’t a question. And by the colour quickly draining from his face, I’m made vaguely aware that he’s right. Then I went over like a tree, falling down next to the luckily blunt piece of fragmentation from the grenade. It had winged towards me, glancing off the ground, and up into my leg. My first reaction, as I sat in the dirt, was to drop trouser and check my goods. One lightly damaged knee (and zero injured plums) later, I had learned a valuable lesson. No matter how good the photo opp is, it’s not worth taking frag for. A knee can heal, but you’ll really struggle to grow back your vegetables.

By Anonymous.

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RICHARD LETS THE BLIND LEAD THE BLIND Military charity bike rides. A worthy and excellent cause. A chance to raise money and awareness; a chance for personnel who have suffered an injury and benefitted from the tireless work of our excellent Forces Charities to give a little something back, to engage with the public, get in a bit of free phys, and hopefully a few beers. But why let a good cause get in the way of the usual banter, points out Richard, who suffered severe injuries in Afghanistan when an IED functioned, blowing up his team. So one year on from the incident, the same team, all of whom sustained injuries from fragmentation and blast planned a charity bike ride from Lands End to John O’Groats. Now, a group of Forces personnel on a bike ride will, as we all know, result in some mischief. A group of injured Forces personnel might/might not increase the chance of that mischief. But, as with this story, encouraging the bloke in the team who has completely lost one of his eyes to lead the cycle group pretty much ensures the chances of an incident. “Especially at roundabouts.” confirms Richard. “I don’t think he appreciated not knowing if he would get wiped out by literally being blind-sided. It was all ok though. We made it up to him by taking him to the cinema one night. As the lights dimmed, the screen lit up and the cinema fell silent. And then one solitary groan was heard. I asked, “What’s up mate?” His reply was simple. “We paid extra for 3D. I can’t see in 3D.” We all laughed. Then carried on watching the film.”

CASE STUDY:

FLEXYFOOT

DAVID RAWLINS

> Provided By: Flexyfoot

ndover’s David Rawlins was just your average 21 year old; a ﬁt and active young, life-loving guy, when his role as a British Army Vehicle Mechanic saw him posted to Afghanistan. David was unaware that his tour in Middle East would end under tragic circumstances following an accident that left him with limited use of his right leg. Following three years of intensive physio, David now 27, has discovered a new lease of life, a great new career and is extremely positive about his outlook for the future. Crediting Flexyfoot with helping to keep him mobile, David dropped into the ofﬁce to share more about his story with the team. Here’s what he had to say:

FF: David, tell us if you will, about your experience out in Afghanistan: DR: It sounds funny to say but until the accident, I really enjoyed by time out in Afghanistan. It’s a beautiful country with the most incredible sunsets and in general the local people were really friendly. Initially, I was really busy as a Vehicle Mechanic with REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers); some of the vehicles weren’t as reliable as they perhaps needed to be and it quickly followed suit that these were upgraded, leaving me with fewer vehicles to repair. Good really given the nature of the beast but it meant I was re-rolled within the squadron doing more operational work and getting time to mingle with the locals. For me, it was a better experience being out on the ground than it was being within Camp Bastion all of the time.

During this posting, two months before my tour was scheduled to end and I was due to come home, we were on patrol in, a built up area of increased danger, where we were more likely to run into hostility, when the ‘Jackal’ we were travelling in ran into a ditch and rolled three or four times. Thankfully everybody else in the vehicle was uninjured and came away with a few scrapes and scratches but I’d been sitting on the top roll bars after giving up my seat to allow the new team taking over to get ground orientation consequently ended up trapped underneath the 7.5 tonne vehicle. >

It was dark and dust had been kicked up by the accident so visibility was really poor but I knew I just had to get myself out of there. A fallen truck is a target and so getting to relative safety was the only thing going through my mind at that point. Eventually, I managed to get myself out and a medic came to my aid immediately. I was quickly helicoptered out to Camp Bastion medical Centre were I underwent treatment. I was lucky really. The situation could have been a whole lot worse if we had come under contact something that I don’t like to think about.

FF. So was that the end of your time in Afghanistan? DR: Pretty much. Although the equipment

" It was dark and dust had been kicked up by the accident so visibility was really poor but I knew I just had to get myself out of there. " my leg for walking and mobility was severely compromised and, unfortunately, would likely deteriorate further over time. I was obviously pretty cut up about it but doctors told me to start using a walking aid immediately to maximize the relative mobility I had and make the most of it whilst I was still young and fit. From there, I spent three years in rehab, attending weekly sessions at Headley Court.

at Camp Bastion was excellent, they needed further scans to diagnose my injury and so quite quickly I was flown home to the now Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. This all happened in rather a blur but the military was excellent at arranging for my parents to get up to me, organizing their accommodation and sending my equipment back to the UK.

FF: It sounds like you went through a really tough time. How are things in your life going now?

As it turned out, I’d damaged my right hip quite significantly; the ball had punched through the socket and I needed a bone graft. Despite the graft, further scans showed that the nerves around my hip joint had died off, meaning the primary muscle needed to utilise

Headley Court, I was determined that I didn’t want those years of my life to pass me by. I was living at home with my parents on military sick leave and it was tough. It was during this time though that I discovered the ‘Battle Back’ arm of the ‘Help for Heroes’ charity via Headley.

DR: During the three years in and out of

60 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

They provide opportunities and funding for ex-servicemen to get back into work and help them back into life. I had the opportunity to train to be a pilot and it was too good of an opportunity to miss. I started at Aerobility where I trained and volunteered until 2012, just after the London Olympics finished. I credit them for absolutely opening the doors to my ‘new life’; I was there first thing in the morning and last thing at night, and absolutely loved it. Now, I’m qualified as a fully licensed private pilot. Aerobility has a fully adapted aircraft to allow people with a whole range of disabilities to experience flying. Having said that, there are still misconceptions about people with disabilities piloting; I had to take several medical flight tests before I was issued my license. As a pilot, you are just a voice on the radio. People can’t and don’t make assumptions about you, which is why I really like it. Life deals you with a pack of cards, you have to make the best out of your hand.

FLEXYFOOT

I was asked by a college along with my colleagues to talk to the young adults about my experiences; to inspire them to achieve more and have a positive outlook on life. I still miss the army, although I stay in touch with everyone regularly. It’s fantastic social camaraderie and I have no regrets about my time there, despite the resultant injury. I now work for Gama Aviation, on a shift pattern, managing flight planning and the running of the Scottish Air Ambulance. I officially left the army in September 2012 and went straight to work at Gama. The transition was really easy due to my voluntary work at Aerobility.

Generally, standard NHS sticks are perceived as being for old people and as a twentysomething year old, it was never for me. Flexyfoot’s design is young and funky. Like your’s truly, obviously… On the whole, I’m managing really well. I’ve got a lot of my independence back and Flexyfoot’s helped with that. My positive mindset has obviously been a massive factor in that too.

FF. We’re really pleased that Flexyfoot has been able to help you in your journey…

DR: The physio was obviously long and

DR. It really has. It’s a life-changer and has done wonders for my confidence, especially when walking into a shop out of the rain, it grips perfectly. I can walk up grassy slopes and have absolute trust that it will hold out, while other people are digging their sticks into the ground and yanking themselves up hills! I’m always getting stopped by people to ask where it’s from.

intense and it gave me the best chance I had maximising what mobility I had left; when I was at the Mobility Roadshow in Peterborough, I came across Flexyfoot and thought ‘why isn’t everyone using these?!’. It’s really helped with my mobility and keeping me active, particularly the stability and huge reduction of pain through my shoulder. Previously, after a long day on my feet, I’d need to ice my shoulder through the evening. That’s never a problem now with Flexyfoot.

I’m still on my journey but my experience has definitely given me a different outlook on life. I’m hoping I can train as in instructor to teach people with disabilities how to fly. Ideally, I’d volunteer to do this in between flying commercial airlines, which I hope will be the next step for me in terms of piloting. My main goal for every step is to ensure that I’m enjoying myself and making the most of life. It can all change in a split second.

FF. How is your mobility today?

David and his partner who have just found out they’re expecting their first child.

For more information on Flexyfoot see: www.flexyfoot.com For more information on Aerobility see: www.aerobility.com

Absolutely

> Pictured:

That’s what Angela McCulloch thinks of her Flexyfoot. “I am a very active person” she told us – “It’s brilliant for walking and has really helped me feel safe and so confident”. To explore life more fully, try Flexyfoot – ergonomically designed and stylish walking aids with a unique flexible foot that grips securely in all weathers.

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Call 0800 0285888 or visit www.flexyfoot.com QUOTE CODE FLEXY01 WHEN PURCHASING YOUR FLEXYFOOT PRODUCTS Follow Us: @fighthroughmag I FIGHT THROUGH I 61

WWTW NEWS

Walking With The Wounded’s Walk Of Britain > Provided By: Walking with the Wounded

ollowing our previous adventures in the extreme corners of the world, Walking With The Wounded felt it was time to bring their story, and the story of those they support, into the towns, roads and lanes of the UK. The public have been such a support to the military over the past few years and WWTW wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you. The Walk Of Britain will also help people understand more about the work Walking With The Wounded is doing - building the independence of our veterans so they can live fulfilling and secure lives outside the Armed Forces. As with everything at WWTW there is an element of challenge to this adventure, of barriers to overcome. So in August this year the Walk of Britain will see six wounded veterans walk 1,000 miles through mainland UK engaging with local communities every day to highlight the extraordinary determination of wounded personnel and to raise awareness for the work that Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) is doing in the community to support the wounded back into independence through employment. Edward Parker, Co-founder and CEO of Walking With The Wounded

commented: “Walking over 1,000 miles is no mean feat.Yet again, we will be able to demonstrate that despite injuries these men and women look to their future with great determination and courage. We are also very excited about walking amongst the communities who have been so supportive of the military and Walking With The Wounded and we look forward to them coming out to support the team on their journey.” On their journey the team will be joined by other wounded colleagues for short stages to lend their support. We will also be joined by the wonderful Military Wives, ladies so close to the military, unstinting in their support for husbands, brothers, partners. The Scout Association is encouraging local groups to join the Walk as part of a wider plan we have with them whereby we are encouraging ex-servicemen and women to become adult volunteers in Scouting. The team hope that as they travel through the country, people will turn out and support them, and everyone will get behind them as they head towards their goal. Please do follow our Walk Of Britain expedition and help us to spread the word, raising awareness of and funds for our wounded. www. walkingwiththewounded. org.uk/walkofbritain2015

62 I FIGHT THROUGH I www.educationforthemilitaryfamily.org.uk

" Walking over 1,000 miles is no mean feat. Yet again, we will be able to demonstrate that despite injuries these men and women look to their future with great determination and courage. "

EARN YOUR TURKEY THIS CHRISTMAS

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Sign up now Register your route and find out more at wwtw.org.uk or contact Tel: 01263 863 900 andy@wwtw.org.uk #WalkingHomeForChristmas

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