Our Stories

Ana

One day in 2007, Ana received the knock on that door all military families dread. Her husband, Derek, had lost both of his legs when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Beside his bed when he awoke from a nine-day coma, Ana had to take picture to show him the extent of his injuries. In an instant, their lives changed forever, but the pair have faced 14 years together, since the injury, to overcome all odds.

Derek

Double amputee Derek was serving in Afghanistan in 2007 when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb. When he awoke from a coma nine days later, he knew that life for he and his wife, Ana, had changed forever. Together, they have learnt to adapt and overcome so many challenges.

Kelly

Sandra

Clare

Paul

Aged 17, Paul joined the Army as a physical trainer - it was all he ever wanted to do. He never imagined an injury to his ankle would lead not just to his medical discharge 17 years later, but to the decline of his mental health as he struggled to come to terms with the loss of his military identity.

Louise

Bruce’s wife Louise has been by his side throughout his recovery journey. Bruce, who served in the army for 16 years, lost both legs below the knee due to injury. But as Louise explains, his determination means he doesn’t let it get in the way of living his life.

Bruce

Bruce, who grew up in Zimbabwe before joining the British Army in 2000, lost both legs below the knee following injury. Yet his extraordinary ordeal has given him, in his own words, a “new lease of life” – as he explains.

Michelle P

Michelle’s dream job as a paramedic in the RAF turned into a nightmare when horrors from the battlefield led to flashbacks, nightmares and an eventual diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She lost her home and her career, but in her own words describes how she found the resilience to battle back.

Morgan

Morgan was five years old when her father, Mark, was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Afghanistan. Losing the use of his right arm, and left battling Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Mark was medically discharged. Desperately trying to regain control of his life, he worked long hours, spent his spare time in the gym and spiralled into a depression.

Mark

Army veteran Mark's life changed forever when his vehicle hit an Improved Explosive Device (IED) in Afghanistan. Losing the use of his right arm, he became angry and frustrated – the result of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) triggered by the blast. But he’s rebuilt his strength, both physically and mentally, through the power of sport.

Caroline Beazley

For veteran Caroline Beazley our Help for Heroes Choir, which has been meeting virtually since the start of the first lockdown, has been her “lifeline” this year.

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Ana

Derek

Kelly

Sandra

Clare

Paul

Louise

Bruce

Michelle P

Morgan

Mark

Caroline Beazley