2023
The Blesma News for 2023 covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
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How Blesma has helped Michelle Murphy smile again after a horrific fall at her home
24 April 2023
Michelle Murphy is an an amputee, but Blesma hasn't helped her with a prosthetic or mobility aid. Instead, the association has sorted out her shoes and her smile. Having served in the Royal Signals for 22 years, Michelle Murphy lost her right leg in 2018 after an innocuous cut on her foot led to the flesh-eating disease Necrotising Fasciitis. She would have been forgiven for taking her time to come to terms with this ‘new normal’ but for the last two years, she has barely left her house after a horrific fall resulted in her breaking or losing almost every single one
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Honouring Bryn Parry: A Tireless Ally in Blesma's Mission to Support Our Injured Veterans
13 April 2023
All of us at Blesma are very sad to hear of Bryn Parry's passing. An inspiring and selfless character, Bryn set up Help for Heroes to strengthen support for wounded veterans. Although his original intention was to provide a swimming pool, Bryn's inspirational leadership and passionate campaigning grew the charity to a national institution. During his time in charge, Bryn and his wife Emma had raised an astounding £260 million, providing life-changing support to over 50,000 veterans and their f
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RAF veteran Alison Evans went to A&E with stomach pains. Six months later she had a triple amputation
3 April 2023
Alison Evans, 63, served with the Royal Air Force for 14 years, leaving as a sergeant in 1992. In 2019, she was admitted to A&E with excruciating stomach pains but was misdiagnosed with food poisoning and sent home. Alison was soon blue-lighted back to hospital where she underwent emergency surgery before falling into a coma. She was actually suffering from a potentially deadly kidney blockage which led to her developing sepsis. When she woke from her coma, she was faced with the devastating realisation that she would have to undergo a triple amputation, losing both legs below the knee
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Skiing "So Beneficial" for former Infantryman injured in Iraq
29 March 2023
Member Martin "Ed" Edwards, A former 5 Rifles Infantryman, took to the ski slopes for a series of exhilarating runs on a week-long adventure in Austria recently. The 40 year old, who suffered a severe brain injury in 2006 after his vehicle was hit by an IED in Iraq, requires 24/7 support but relishes the thrill of sit skiing. “Ed had an amazing time and it was so good for him,” said his former key worker Sally Mendonca, who organised the trip thanks to a Blesma grant. “He was doing red runs with his guide by the end of the week! The tri
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