Whilst at the spinal unit I was visited by my family as often as they could. Sometimes my wife would bring the kids up after school, which was a drive of an hour and a half, but it was great to have tea with them. Then, after tea, my eldest daughter would sit and do her homework. It was nice to be surprised by visitors, my wife’s auntie and uncle would “pop down” from London which was nice, my brother and his family come up and my step brother and his family would come across. The most random visitor I ever had though was this guy…

I enjoyed the time in the spinal pool, just wanted to spend more time doing it but unfortunately my right wrist dislocated again and so it was off for another operation.

So that was it, now it was time to leave the unit as there was nothing more they could do due to the weakness of my arms.

Unfortunately, my wife had to sell her pride and joy which she had not had for long before my accident.

In the four and a half months that she had been travelling to the various hospitals I had been in, she had travelled almost an average mileage years worth of miles. The car had served her well but we needed something bigger, the “Chucklebus”.

The “Chucklebus” got us out of a big transport problem as I was using a power chair due to my wrists being too weak to propel me in a manual chair. Not quite the Vectra she had sold but driving the “Chucklebus” wouldn’t pose her any problem after what she had been used to in the past.

And so, despite all my injuries, after four and a half months, I was allowed home.

Having been moved to a spinal unit as my accident had left me paralysed, I had to try to arrange for me to be able to attend the Remembrance Parade with my unit at Taunton, it would involve a very long day and arranging equipment such as a hoist in case I needed to get out of my wheelchair for a while at my house after the parade. It was only 3 months since my accident and I had spent a relatively short amount of time in a wheelchair, but, the staff at the spinal unit gave the OK for me to go.

After the parade in Taunton with my unit, it was off for a bite to eat and a drink with them all before going to my house to see my dog before the parade in my town.

I make a point of having fresh wreaths made each year for the members of my Battalion who have lost their lives in Afghanistan, and laying them with two of my friends. One still serving and one who has left the T.A. This is another reason why I was so adamant that I wanted to parade. The local paper ran a story.

Once  the parade in Ilminster was over, they marched through the town to the local school. I was unable to march with them, but, I was able to have a coffee and a chat before I went off for a meal with my family and friends.

A VERY long day for my wife who woke at 3 am, drove to the spinal unit and collected me then straight to the first parade. After the meal, she drove back to the spinal unit and eventually arrived back home at midnight. Much appreciated by me as remembrance parade is important to me.