2020
The Blesma News for 2020 covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
-
A day in the life: Blesma Support Officer Paul Findlay
20 July 2020
The support Blesma has been able to offer its Members has changed dramatically because of lockdown. We’ve not been able to do home visits, but technology has allowed us to engage with Members and connect them to one another. I spent the first few weeks with Outreach Officer Jess Linge trying to phone every Member in our area to identify who was high-risk and who felt vulnerable because of their medical situation, mobility, or lack of a support network. We also looked at how we could get those who didn’t have access to technology connected in line with Blesma’s Digita
Read post -
Ben-Jack delighted with his first Snowboarding Gold
19 July 2020
Ben-Jack Shaw has made a huge leap in his career as a competitive snowboarder by winning his first gold medal. The 37 year old was one of 10 athletes representing GB Snowsport when he picked up his first-ever win at the European Winter Para Sports event ParaSki4Europe in Poland in February. “It was great to win gold. My coach, Jim Hossell is a serving Royal Marine, and the time he puts into coaching, training, and guiding me is completely voluntary. It was fantastic to be able to get gold to say thank you to him for all his hard work as well,” said Ben-Jack wh
Read post -
Blesma at home workout - Seated session
17 July 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
Read post -
Rick inspires Manchester United despite 'Pre-match nerves'
16 July 2020
Former Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment soldier and life-long Manchester United fan Rick Clement has been inspiring his idols with his story of overcoming adversity. In February Rick, who lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan, was invited to the club’s training ground by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to talk to the club’s first team players and coaching staff. “Every year, the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association holds a black-tie dinner, and a guest speaker from the club attends. Last year, that was Ole,” said the 40-year-old from Lancashire
Read post