2021
Blesma Updates for 2021, covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
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Learning new skills restores sense of self
10 June 2021
Blesma Member Gavin Brechany has launched a YouTube channel to teach and inspire others how to restore a range of items. “I served in the Royal Navy for 12 years before joining Hampshire Constabulary in 2005, but I sustained an injury on duty in 2016 that led to the amputation of my left leg,” said Gavin. “I decided to use the skills I’d gained in the Navy to do some restoration jobs. You can have an identity crisis when you lose a career, so it was a chance to reinvent myself.” Gavin has already restored a number of bicycles and developed new skills, a
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Kelly is back on Two wheels
8 June 2021
At the age of 23, Kelly Ganfield developed a rare autoimmune disorder that led to her losing her sight. Seventeen years later, a tandem bike joint funded by Blesma and Blind Veterans UK is helping her regain her passion for cycling. “I loved riding before I lost my sight,” said Kelly, who received the bike in January. “Now I can be on the back while my wife, Sarah, steers. It has given me back some of my independence – it’s wonderful.” Kelly has already set herself a challenge: to ride the equivalent of Land’s End to John O’Groats in 69 days wit
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A Day in The Life: Andy Allen
6 June 2021
I was 17 years old when I joined the Royal Irish Regiment. Serving gave me a sense of purpose and achievement. I travelled to Kenya, Iraq in 2007, and Afghanistan in2008, where I was subsequently injured in the July. We were on a foot patrol and had stopped for a short break. As I got ready to set off, the Taliban detonated a device. It took my right leg and badly damaged my left one. Ten days after getting back to the UK, my left leg was amputated. When I woke up in Selly Oak Hospital a lot of emotions were going through my head. I think the main one was
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The Invictus Games Foundation launch new Wheelchair Tennis opportunity
4 June 2021
Calling all Wounded Injured Sick, serving or Veteran! 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 is keen to promote continuing recovery through sport. Wheelchair Tennis is no longer part of the Games but recognise it is still a great foundation for recovery, be it for physical or phycological injuries. The Foundation, with support from the LTA, are hosting 4 taster days to offer an I𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐬. During these days you will be shown how to set up and use a tennis wheelchair, shown the correct movement pa
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