Providing support to limbless and injured veterans for life
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight in the honourable service of our country.
Our Mission
To assist limbless veterans to lead independent and fulfilling lives
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is an Armed Forces charity dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limbloss or the use of a limb, an eye or sight. We support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK.
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How Assistive Technology is Transforming Limbless Veterans’ Lives
A major report, funded by the Office of Veterans' Affairs and delivered by Blesma in association with Anglia Ruskin University, has identified a range of measures to improve the accessibility, affordability, and usability of Assistive Technology (AT), such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, and mobility scooters. The study, which was powered by the lived experience testimony of Members, highlighted how AT can empower veterans and their families to live independently but also exposed systemic barriers that limit access. Its recommendations, covering issues from veterans’ acceptance of the need to use ATs to the sales approaches of private companies, will influence future policies from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, which funded the research. The report – titled Assistive Technology – Powered Mobility Devices: An Exploration of the Lived Experience of Powered Mobility Devices in Armed Forces Veterans with Limb Loss and Loss of Use of Limb – also establishes a decision-making guide to help veterans select and fund the right equipment for their needs. The initial and associated maintenance costs of ATs was a common theme among the 26 veterans who provided first-hand evidence of their quests for greater independence and well-being. Many reported that suppliers focused on sales over truly understanding their specific needs. “There was a strong feeling that the suppliers tend to be sales people first and do not really take into account a veteran’s needs so we have developed a matrix within the report so a veteran can use it to work out what sort of AT would work using an informative tool to help guide their purchase rather than being at the mercy of a sales approach,” says Dr Thomas Kersey, Research Fellow at Anglia Ruskin University’s Veterans & Families Institute for Military Social Research, who led the project. One of the goals of the research is to help people get the equipment and technology that works for them empowering individuals to make informed decisions. Dr Thomas Kersey The report is illuminated with insights from Blesma Members whose open and honest testimony of their experiences helped shine a light on fault lines in AT provision and underscore the physical and psychological benefit from accessing the right equipment. “Their input was vital. You need the human elements of their stories to understand how fundamental this sort of equipment is to their everyday lives,” adds Dr Kersey. “One of the Members said she was getting a gyroscopic wheelchair that could be used hands-free, which meant she could walk down the street holding her son’s hand. It is such a powerful image and statement. "A disability really changes the dynamics of family life but the right AT can re-address that balance by allowing people to do things on their own and move from being someone who is being cared for back to family life." The report states: “ATs, and the independence they provide, also had a direct impact on family life. because they brought a re-balance to the roles within the family, contributing to the daily running of the home and reducing the care demands, allowing family members to step out of the care role. “However, uptake of ATs was nuanced and several barriers to accepting ATs into everyday life were identified. Initial reluctance to take up ATs were sometimes viewed as an admission of giving up. Pride and stubbornness factored into participants accepting help, alongside their own pre-conceived notions of what it means to be disabled. Participants reflected that in hindsight they would accept the help if offered again as it would preserve and maintain their health for longer had they accepted ATs into their lives earlier.” Its recommendations include tailoring AT provision on an individual level considering the long-term impact on wellbeing and independence, establishing an ethical code of conduct for the AT industry, expanding funding and financial support for ATs, improving transportation and storage solutions and recycling and reuse opportunities. This report is going to be useful to so many people, not just those that need ATs, but those that provide them Brian Chenier, Blesma Support Officer Prosthetics “Funding for statutory provision is limited and getting the best outcomes with such limited funding just makes sense. We hope that NHS providers will embrace the opportunity to look beyond the basic provision and consider the benefits ATs can have.” He adds: “By shining a light on the benefits of ATs covered in this report, we would expect users to be more confident in the decisions they make, and that they are able to make those decisions much earlier. It will also be useful to charities like Blesma that are often asked to fund ATs that are not available through statutory funding/services. Helping us to understand the wider, more holistic positive impact our support can have is very important. "We are grateful to the OVA for funding this research and to our members that took part. This will make a positive impact, and we aim to share this report across statutory services and the charity sector." The OVA adds “Our veterans have shown extraordinary courage and made immense sacrifices in service to our country. We owe them our ongoing support long after they have hung up their uniform. “The 22 projects funded through the £5 million Veterans' Health Innovation Fund are helping to transform healthcare for those who have served the UK. Blesma's research into assistive technologies is an excellent example of why this work matters so much. Its research will help veterans and their carers to understand the most effective mobility aids for their specific needs, helping them regain independence. This is why we're investing in these projects - because our commitment to veterans doesn't end when they leave the Armed Forces. Office for Veterans' Affairs Read the full report
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Congratulations to Fiona Morrison and Colin Thackery on their MBEs
Blesma is proud to celebrate two inspiring members of our community who have been awarded the MBE in recognition of their exceptional service to veterans. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Fiona Morrison, our Northern Ireland Outreach Officer, and Colin Thackery, Chelsea Pensioner, Blesma Supporter and Britain’s Got Talent winner, on this outstanding achievement. Fiona Morrison MBE Colin Thackery MBE Fiona Morrison MBE Fiona Morrison, Outreach Officer Northern Ireland, has been a powerhouse raising awareness and funds for Blesma, and supporting its Members and the wider veteran community. She has been instrumental in projects that champion the efforts of injured veterans and help them live independent and fulfilling lives. She received the award for Services to Veterans and their Families in Northern Ireland. “I couldn’t believe it when I received the notification. It’s not often I’m lost for words but that moment was one of them,” said Fiona, who joined Blesma in 2018 and is the catalyst for a varied and innovative programme of events and activities for Members and their families and works closely with Steve Burton, Blesma Support Officer Northern Ireland and Scotland. It took a long while to sink in and it means a huge amount because it is a testimony to the work that Blesma does for its Members and its lifetime support for them. I feel hugely privileged to work for Blesma because it is an amazing charity and it feels like we are part of family “I still can’t quite get my head around it — there have been a few tears shed when I think about it — but I’m deeply honoured by the award.” The accolade was warmly welcomed by Veterans Awards Ireland, which recognises the achievements of former military personnel, which stated: “This honour is so well deserved. Congratulations Fiona. Your dedication to the veteran community continues to inspire.” Colin Thackery MBE Blesma is also celebrating another award with supporter Colin Thackery, a Chelsea Pensioner, also awarded an MBE. Colin, a Korean War veteran who became an icon by winning Britian’s Got Talent in 2019 with his amazing singing , received the award for Services to Charitable Fundraising and to the Armed Services. The 93-year-old is a keen supporter of Blesma and regular performer at its events and for other military and veteran causes. Congratulations once again to Fiona Morrison MBE and Colin Thackery MBE!
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Mastering the morning commute
Jonathan Bell is deep into a compelling War and Psychiatry Master’s degree that will help him use his life experiences to support veterans and ensure their voices are heard. The course, which delves into complex strands of behavior, policy, and history, is demanding and intense. However, Jonathan has made it easier by completing one important assignment—a successful application to the Veterans’ Mobility Fund for a lightweight wheelchair with an assisted power pack. I would certainly recommend applying to the VMF if you have a need for new equipment, whatever your reason The former 1st Battalion Green Howard is now able to commute much more easily from his home in Surrey to central London, whizzing along cycle lanes to lectures, seminars, and library sessions at King’s College Institute of Psychiatry. “This new model is fantastic and has replaced my battered old wheelchair,” he says. “I can zip around town and don’t need to use buses or taxis as I just use the cycle lanes from Waterloo to the campus. It means I can get to lectures on time, and it makes life and studying so much easier than it could otherwise have been.” Jonathan was injured during a military training exercise while preparing for operations in Bosnia in 1993, which resulted in him being paralyzed from the chest down. He became one of the first recipients of an award from the £2.52m Veterans’ Mobility Fund (VMF), established in March last year following a successful joint lobbying campaign by Blesma and Help for Heroes. Apply now >>> Removing the stress Jonathan’s application process was seamless. From identifying the appropriate model of wheelchair and arranging necessary medical support and service documentation, to completing the required forms, everything went smoothly. The forms were then presented to the VMF panel, which evaluates grants for mobility aids not typically available on the NHS, such as specialist wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and orthotics like splints and braces. It is quick and safe, and takes the stress out of the journey “I found the entire process simple, straightforward, and easy to follow,” says Jonathan, 60, a passionate hand cyclist who organizes an annual cycling event to raise funds for the Association. “When I saw that the applications were open, I went to Draft Wheelchairs in Cambridge to try a wheelchair with an electric attachment, as his old chair had been bumped so much that it was clearly nearing the end of its life. “With my studies in central London, I needed a wheelchair that was lightweight and easy to handle when getting on and off trains, and which could get me places quickly without draining my strength and energy. The wheelchair gets a lot of use in daily life, but it really comes into its own on the commute. I can use the train with no problem, then I just clip the electric attachment onto the front and zip over to campus, which is about three miles from Waterloo Station. It’s quick, safe, and takes the stress out of the journey.” I found the entire process simple, straightforward and easy to follow As for the VMF application process, Jonathan had a positive experience. “It involved supplying proof of eligibility covering my service and disability. I then got the quote for the new equipment, which was supported by a clinician; in my case, a physiotherapist wrote a supporting letter about how it would help reduce the stress on my body and extend my active life. It all ran very efficiently, and once approved, the funds were released to he manufacturers who then let me know when the new chair was ready. In total, it took about five months. I’m sure every claim is different, but it wasn’t a difficult process to navigate. You have to decide what you need and then just follow the VMF guidelines. The criteria are very clear, so just follow the process and you will be fine. It is certainly worth doing and has made my life and pursuing the Master’s much easier.” Being left seriously injured Jonathan joined the Army in 1986 and completed several tours of Northern Ireland before a tragic accident left him and 15 other soldiers seriously injured. The accident left Jonathan paralyzed from the upper chest down, and he spent seven months in the hospital. After receiving a medical discharge at just 26 years old, Jonathan decided to pursue education. Despite not having performed well in school, he began his studies at around 30 years old, taking an access course in English and Sociology, which he found to be a rewarding experience. "I decided to go to university, and that was the making of me. I got a chance at a second career and was determined to make the most of it," he says. He went on to earn a number of A-levels and a degree, eventually embarking on a successful career as a journalist. Jonathan spends time talking with one of his course tutors Jonathan's ongoing desire to learn and share insights for the benefit of the military veterans' community led him to enroll in a Master's course. The course involves regular 6,000-word essays and a final 15,000-word dissertation and aims to promote understanding of how both members of the Armed Forces and civilians prepare for and cope with psychological trauma. It also develops knowledge and skills in exploring the impact of human conflict on health and wellbeing. Aligning with Blesma’s ethos of advancing knowledge about the effects of service and conflict, the course focuses on how people prepare for war, cope during conflict, respond to trauma, and adjust to peacetime life. There has been a shift to recognising that people with experiences should be able to contribute, and that is where i want to make a difference "My dad was in the Army, I joined up, and then defence became a niche area in my journalism career. I have a deep knowledge of soldiers, veterans, and associated issues, so when I came across this course, it was perfect. It is about soldiers and mental health, but that's just the tip of the iceberg," Jonathan explains. His most recent essay focused on atrocities in war and what drives soldiers to commit them, reflecting the broad and challenging nature of the course. Jonathan continues to learn new things all the time and is interested in contributing to military and veterans' policy. He believes the veteran’s voice is crucial in shaping the right policies and support systems, and he hopes to help improve resources and conditions for veterans. "Myself and others have a lifetime of experience, whether it’s navigating NHS pathways or offering general advice, and that experience and insight should be used," he emphasizes. Jonathan believes there has been a shift towards recognizing the value of lived experiences in contributing to meaningful change. "The Master's is a fascinating subject and is part of my journey, and studying is made easier and more enjoyable because of my new wheelchair. I would recommend applying to the VMF if you have a need for new equipment, whatever your reason."
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Get Involved
Across the UK, thousands of people are doing their bit to help
Whether you want to organise a big fundraiser in a group, take part in a Charity Event, complete a Charity Challenge on your own, or get your company involved in raising money for our limbless veterans, then go to our fundraising pages where you will find all the information you need, as well as events you can be part of.
