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In 2008 I suffered from Cauda Equina Syndrome, the full story is on my website www.sothisisreality.com .  I am 'paralysed' from the waist down although I do have some motor control of my legs (on occasion).  Not only did I go from 'fit' to 'disabled' in a matter of weeks, the damage done meant that I will be in severe pain for the rest of my life having to rely on a regime of drugs in order to offer some respite.

The Royal British Legion helped me when the Army and other supposedly supporting charities turned their respective backs on me.  I was in dire need and the RBL stepped up.  The RBL continue to support members of the Armed Forces in a way that other 'charities' cannot and will not understand or be able to emulate.

The RBL needs continual support in order to help others and I would like to contribute as much as possible to help them.  

This year I have been fitted with leg braces that allow me to stand and walk, well a pretty good impression of walking.  Just the act of standing on my two feel causes a massive increase in the pain and walking is much worse.  On the plus side, the fact that pain shoots through the leg when my foot touches the ground means that I know when I can move my other leg.  Something that we take for granted for all our lives has become a challenge for me.  More often than not, one leg or the other completely shuts down, usually resulting in me hitting tera firma like a rock.  The braces not only help me stand, they prevent my legs from buckling the wrong way and snapping at the knee.

This isn't going to be easy.  I haven't done any real exercise since 2008 and walking is incredibly difficult.  Walking a distance is going to be a real challenge and I have started training already.  I hope to do the walk in September not only to raise money for the RBL but in memory of my mother who was a real fighter, pulling through more serious illnesses than was thought possible.  Her death motivated me to fight harder and not to give in to the pain.

Any and all support for the RBL will be greatly appreciated and by helping them we are helping all the countless others who suffer more than us.

Thank you.