Role Model

[Mark Y]

What a role model for all the lazy  ***** that just sit around on the dole.

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/741876/Brave-para-who-lost-both-legs-and-his-left-arm-in-a-blast-is-preparing-to-RETURN-to-Afghanistan-by-doing-a-parachute-jump.html

[dxmedia]

That's a sad story.

How bad must his life have become after returning back from service that the only future he can see for himself is doing that.

Hats off to him for wanting to, and yeah shows up a few 'I've a bad back, I have to be on the sick for the rest of my life' scroungers, but what does it say for the social care which is supporting him as a paraplegic in this country

[littlepow]

I'd happly have him watching my back - he'll have to prove he is better than a fully able soldier to get back out in afghan.

Good luck to him.

[Saffy]

wouldn't he be a liability for life and intel? what if they got to bug out of a position quickly, would someone have to carry him at their risk or what? Wouldn't like to see him end up on a jihad webby video.
Isn't this the solder that was in the tv documentary that showed him and couple others pretty much from when injury happened to their initial care back in uk hospital?

[littlepow]

wouldn't he be a liability for life and intel? what if they got to bug out of a position quickly, would someone have to carry him at their risk or what? Wouldn't like to see him end up on a jihad webby video.
Isn't this the solder that was in the tv documentary that showed him and couple others pretty much from when injury happened to their initial care back in uk hospital?

He wont be able to operate oitside the wire, but he could still provide sniper support from inside a FOB.

Personnally I don't want to see any british military personnel in a orange jumpsuit getting a taliban haircut!

[Sider]

That's a sad story.

How bad must his life have become after returning back from service that the only future he can see for himself is doing that.

Hats off to him for wanting to, and yeah shows up a few 'I've a bad back, I have to be on the sick for the rest of my life' scroungers, but what does it say for the social care which is supporting him as a paraplegic in this country

He is not being forced to do it, it is his ambition. He has vocation, and it is not economics compelling him to do it, but a sense of duty.

Had I been injured while I was serving, I can only hope I would have been able to show the same level of commitment.

If you read the article in full, you will find that he is still in active service, and he has a job.

[dxmedia]

That's a sad story.

How bad must his life have become after returning back from service that the only future he can see for himself is doing that.

Hats off to him for wanting to, and yeah shows up a few 'I've a bad back, I have to be on the sick for the rest of my life' scroungers, but what does it say for the social care which is supporting him as a paraplegic in this country

He is not being forced to do it, it is his ambition. He has vocation, and it is not economics compelling him to do it, but a sense of duty.

Had I been injured while I was serving, I can only hope I would have been able to show the same level of commitment.

If you read the article in full, you will find that he is still in active service, and he has a job.

My point exactly!!

[Sider]

I did write a long and convoluted reply, but in the end I decided against posted.

My guess is that those who served will understand the lad, those who didn't can only guess at his outlook on life.

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

surely the point of this thread is to pay tribute to the determination of a young man who wants to get back to what he was doing?
I would agree with some of the comments that this country does not do enough for those who have been injured or disabled, but surely it is better than it was a few years ago?
Why should he not be given the chance to get back to Afghanistan? There have been numerous servicemen and women who have gone back into the combat area. Douglas Bader, WW2 fighter pilot, lost both legs and went back to combat.

Discrimination against those with disabilities is still present in todays society (you may recall the recent uproar after residents near Headley Court became worried about their house values), but thankfully we've moved on from seeing limbless veterans begging on street corners, and the injured being locked away in 'homes' in case they frighten children.

Tom, best of luck to you.

[Range Rover Blues]

Here here.  Good luck to the lad.