2020
The Blesma News for 2020 covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
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Osseointergration is the right choice for David
15 July 2020
Former soldier David Sneddon has become the third single-leg amputee to undergo osseointegration surgery in Scotland through the NHS. David was seriously injured by a bullet from a Taliban sniper while on a routine patrol in Afghanistan in 2010. The decision was made to amputate his right leg above the knee two years later, while battling infection after two failed knee replacements. Subsequently, David used a prosthetic leg for eight years before pains and sores led him to consider osseointegration. Also known as Direct Skeletal Fixation, the procedure involv
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Blesma Briefing: The Pandemic and Prosthetics
14 July 2020
This is a timely opportunity to reflect on how things have been since lockdown and look ahead to how things might work in the months to come in respect of prosthetic services. It quickly became apparent that, because of the coronavirus pandemic, there would be a prolonged period of unprecedented change, whilst access to a lot of NHS services would be severely reduced and, in some cases, cease to operate at all. NHS limb services across the UK were told by health authorities to stop routine appointments, not see any new patients, and only see emergency or
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How Douglas Bader rose to fame
10 July 2020
Douglas Bader, pilot and Blesma Member Douglas Bader was perhaps one of Britains’ most well-known limbless veterans. A Blesma Member and Trustee, Douglas joined the Association in an advisory role in 1947. Prior to this, he had already gained a reputation as one of the RAF’s five most deadly pilots, having risen to fame during the Battle of Britain, 80 years ago today… This is the story of his incredible accomplishments and rise to fame. In July 1940, Britain's coalition government was worried about publ
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Bodybuilding Member Aaron is over the Moon
9 July 2020
Blesma-funded sporting gear is helping bodybuilding Member Aaron Moon stay in shape during lockdown – and will hopefully help him secure a new job. The former Royal Marine turned to Blesma for help when demand for home gym equipment skyrocketed following the closure of gyms due to COVID-19. “I was six weeks out from a bodybuilding competition when everything kicked off. I didn’t want all the hard work I’d put in to be for nothing, but finding equipment was almost impossible,” said Aaron, who lost his right leg and sustained other serious injuries whilst servin
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