Story
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<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">On 18 June 2007 I was serving out in Iraq, and at the time was acting as guard commander, when I was hit by a mortar attack. When I came round in hospital I had suffered multiple injuries with the worst to my lower leg and foot. The surgeons battled to save my foot over the next 3 years with hours of work and multiple surgeries but I was never able to walk unaided and relied on my wheelchair.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In early 2010, I was told that there was nothing further they could do with my leg and I faced a life in constant pain. As an alternative I could choose amputation and have the chance of a life without pain.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">3 years after the initial blast, in June 2010, I chose amputation and went in for the surgery. Life since then has changed dramatically but all for the better. I never thought I would walk let alone run again. It seemed an impossible dream that I would ever participate in a marathon but here I am.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">BLESMA have played a huge part in my rehabilitation. Losing a leg really knocks your confidence and BLESMA helped me realise that I can achieve whatever I set my mind to.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I am still a serving soldier and still receive important help and support from BLESMA.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">So please give generously. Soldiers like me really benefit from the important work BLESMA does and they need funding to keep up this crucial work. </span></p>
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