Charlie Holford

Charlie received a series of incorrect diagnoses following a routine injury in 2012, and joined the Association after his left leg was amputated below the knee in November.

“I joined the REME as an armourer when I was 20, and I loved it,” he says. “I breezed through Basic Training, won best recruit, and wanted to go into the Commandos or Paras. But after I’d been in a year, I hurt my ankle on a run. The PTI told me to get up and carry on, and I did. I was diagnosed with shin splints so did 13 sessions a week for months to try to address them. Eventually, it turned out that I’d broken the ankle, so I had been doing the worst thing possible.” The problem went on for years as Charlie battled to get fit. He underwent private surgery and, from 2015, “beasted himself ” in an attempt to join the Marines, but still found himself in huge amounts of pain.

“The sensation ranged from feeling as if barbed wire had been wrapped around my leg and it being on fire, to it freezing and being smashed with a hammer. The pain was a nine out of 10 every single day.” It wasn’t until 2018, when he visited a new GP after moving house, that Charlie was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Amputation eventually became his best option, and it was here that Blesma stepped in to help.

I already knew a few Members, and they gave me great advice before my amputation about getting my glutes and core strong so I would be able to manage better,

“Covid delayed my operation, which was meant to take place last March, so I had eight months to get fit before amputation.” During that time Steve Fraser, BSO South West, visited Charlie to give him advice. “We spoke about the recovery process and all the benefits of joining. Steve was really helpful,” said Charlie, “so I was ready to join the day I had my operation.” Charlie’s prep paid off; he was walking on his new prosthetic without the need for a stick after a little more than five weeks of rehab, and is now eyeing an active future.

“I feel there’s nothing I can’t do,” he says. “I’ve been doing a virtual peak-topeak challenge, and I feel so much better. I’m in no pain, so the operation has been life changing. Previously, I couldn’t have the volume in the car too high because the vibrations would hurt my leg, and going to the shops would put me in clip for hours.” And Charlie is grateful that Blesma is there for him if and when he needs help or advice.

“The charity has already been amazing, the staff have been so proactive despite lockdown,” he says. “Thankfully, I’ve not needed much so far, but the odd time I have, the help has been immediate. Steve told me to ask if there was anything I felt I needed, and when I got home from hospital, despite my house being adapted, I realised one of the ramps wasn’t right because I couldn’t quite get out of my back door. I spoke to Steve, and a couple of days later, a new ramp turned up!”