Blesma Member and former Royal Marine Andy Grant lost his right leg after being injured in Afghanistan. His femoral right artery was severed and he lost a chunk of his thigh after activating a trip wire which set off bomb blasts. After almost 30 operations, Andy took the decision to have his leg amputated.

“Strangely, I am more able-bodied since becoming ‘disabled’,” says Andy. “I run half marathons and 10Ks, I compete in triathlons, and I’ve learned to ski, surf and skydive since I had my leg amputated. If someone offered me my leg back, now I wouldn’t take it. I feel like I’m the luckiest guy in the world and I get to take part in all sorts of amazing challenges.”

Andy had his leg amputated after it had been left virtually useless because of extensive nerve damage.

After his amputation, he became a motivational speaker and a record-breaking sportsman. He is the world's fastest single leg amputee in the world over 10km.

During his rehabilitation he was introduced to veterans with prosthetic limbs who were doing things he couldn’t. “That’s when I told the surgeon I wanted to have my leg amputated,” he says.

"People seem to be interested in me because of the challenges I have set myself, especially since I won gold in the 400m and 1,500m, and bronze in the 4x100m relay at the Invictus Games."

Following on from his success and gold medals at Invictus, Andy has recently been awarded a place on the Great Britain team for the Warrior Games (the American version of the Invictus Games) and is also trained for the 2016 Paralympics.

I push myself because I survived Afghanistan.

“The only downside with the Paralympics is that my favourite distance is 10K but the longest distance in the Paralympics is 400m. Coming from the Marines I’m more used to stamina and endurance than sprinting, but we’ll see how I get on.”

“I came home when so many others didn’t and I owe it to them to live my life to the full. Just sitting around would be disrespectful to everyone who didn’t make it. I have low moments, of course, but there are two lines in the poem Invictus which sum everything up for me; I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

“Things happen for a reason, but it’s how we react to them that defines us. For me, nothing is impossible. The word just doesn’t exist."

Andy is a Member of Blesma. Andy's life story is one of perseverance and bravery. At the tender age of 12, he lost his mother. Later on, he joined the Royal Marines, served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was injured by an IED, which led to his medical discharge and life as an amputee. Despite the hardships he has faced, Andy continues to inspire others with his resilience and determination.

Andy is now a motivational speaker and co-host of The Leg It Podcast, which is a podcast where he showcases some of the people he has met during his 10 years as an amputee.

His story is a motivation to many, proving that no matter the difficulties, success is achievable. His personal story as an amputee has helped and raised understanding about disabled people's potential. He is a demonstration that strong will and dedication can conquer any barrier.