2020
The Blesma News for 2020 covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
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After injury, Dale Leach often couldn’t leave his house. Then he had a chat with his BSO
27 May 2020
After Dale Leach was injured on operations in Afghanistan, he faced a quandary that will be familiar to many Blesma Members. With his military career cruelly cut short, and dealing with the physical and mental difficulties of amputation, what was he going to do next? “I was discharged from the Army at the end of 2013, and for a while I would just sit around the house, not knowing what to do with myself,” remembers Dale. “I was a mess; some days I wouldn’t even leave my room. My mum was in my ear telling me to look for a job, but I didn’t know where to go. I j
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Africa’s highest summit no match for Blesma duo
25 May 2020
Earlier this year, double amputees Justin Davis and Hari Budha-Magar successfully scaled to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The pair joined forces to climb the world’s highest free-standing mountain in aid of Make-A-Wish Foundation UK. It took them six days to scale the 5,895-metre peak. Hari and Justin both served in Afghanistan; Hari with the Royal Gurkha Rifles and Justin with the Rifles, and both lost their legs above the knee in IED strikes. “Reaching the highest point in Africa was a truly humbling experience,” said Justin. “The first four days
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Living through a time of change
23 May 2020
Prosthetics technology and provision have come a long way in recent years, but while the pace of change is increasing we can’t just sit and wait for the future says Brian Chenier. The future for prosthetics promises a world where capabilities will be driven by bionics and humanrobotic interfaces – today’s science fiction is set to become tomorrow’s reality. But until that Star Trek generation of technology lands, there is the daily task of ensuring that service delivery meets the needs of Blesma Members and enables them both to rehabilitate and regain their independe
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Blesma at Home workout (Seated)
22 May 2020
Gregg Stevenson has devised a weekly home workout especially for his fellow Members, to help us keep our mind and bodies healthy during lock-down. "My name is Gregg and I am a Blesma Member that works at SMRC Preston (the prosthetics centre gym). We focus on the benefits that strength, fitness and mobility can bring to amputees and wheelchair users. I intend to develop several fitness sessions for you to try at home, with minimal equipment. I have been inspired by other Blesma Members, cracking on at this difficult time, and feel it would be beneficial for us all to
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