Stephen Bodham

Amputee and Member

Excited but a little apprehensive, Stephen enlisted into the Royal Artillery in 1970, a young 17 year old who was to embark on a military career.

He spent the next 14 years in various postings and in 1984 found himself with 50th Missile Regiment Royal Artillery. It was on a fateful day in November 1984, travelling from Sennelager to Minden by motorcycle that he was involved in a traffic accident.

That day was to change his life. He was taken to a German hospital and then flown to the UK to The Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital in Woolwich. He had suffered severe head injuries and his left leg had been severed below the knee.

Many months passed by which were all a blur, and then he went through an extensive period of rehabilitation. He was medically discharged from the army in 1986 and was taken home by his father to his hometown of Hull.

In Steve’s own words ‘BLESMA then became my lifeline, they provided any apparatus and equipment necessary in my home, a welfare officer made regular contact and was there to answer and help with any difficulties.’

He remained in the family home for 15 years spending regular respite breaks at the BLESMA Home in Blackpool and provision had been made that should it be necessary he would take up permanent residence there. Sadly in 2001 his father died and, as planned, he moved into the Blackpool Home.

Steven says ‘Since that day the BLESMA team in Blackpool have been my life, there is nowhere else that could make me happier and look after me as well as they do’ he continues ‘I’m here for the rest of my life’.