Blesma News
Latest news from Blesma, The Limbless Veterans
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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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Charlie Holford
4 June 2021
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 o
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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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Rehab, rifles and resilence
1 June 2021
Most people who have served in the military would rate themselves as an above-average shot – you only have to witness the banter when the air rifles make an appearance at Members’ Weekend to know that – but top-level marksmanship requires something different from being on the ranges, says Lesley Stewart. Lesley, a former Royal Military Police officer, is a Paralympic prospect in a number of shooting disciplines. She’s hopeful of selection for Tokyo 2020 – now scheduled to be held later this year – with success at the Paris Paralympics in 2024 being her long-term targ
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