About BLESMA

BLESMA is the national charity for limbless serving and ex service men and women, their dependants and widows.

We are the only charity that supports our members for the duration of their lives; from conflicts pre and post 9/11, from age 19 to 99 – we strive to make the life they can lead to be a full one – BLESMA is for Life.

BLESMA’s Welfare Programme

Our welfare and grants programme encourages our members to maintain an independent lifestyle, suited to their needs and abilities, by funding anything from home conversions and stairlifts to supporting widows and dependants, even after the member has passed away.

BLESMA’s Rehabilitation Activities

Our rehabilitation programme encourages wounded soldiers to rediscover activities such as skiing, sailing and diving after amputation and thus rebuild confidence, learn new skills and take comfort in the camaraderie of shared experiences.

We are looking for funding to continue and expand our range of programmes.

There really is life after Amputation!

Losing a limb or an eye would be a devastating experience for anyone. Now imagine losing three limbs when you are 18 years old and have up until then led a very fit and active life in the services. Modern medicine can work wonders on the physical side, but how well and how quickly can modern science treat the emotional trauma of such an experience?

This is where BLESMA come in to help. Our unique and pioneering rehabilitation programme, based on challenging sporting activities for amputees, is where we make an immediate impact. If you thought that losing a leg or two would stop you skiing, think again! If you thought losing an arm could stop you kayaking, we have news for you!

The physical achievements of taking part in our rehabilitation programme rebuilds confidence; experiencing that you can still do amazing things rebuilds lives. Sharing this experience with other amputees, whilst mentored by an experienced BLESMA member, helps ‘Our Boys’ (and Girls!) to face the challenges of a different life head on and with pride.

The objectives of BLESMA’s Rehabilitation Programme are as follows:

• To help our wounded soldiers find confidence again in their ‘new’ bodies
• To help them rebuild their self-confidence and self-esteem
• To have fun, be independent and experience a new lease of life

Adam’s Story

In the spring of 2004, Adam Nixon was serving in Iraq when an IED (improvised explosive device) detonated whilst he was on patrol in Basra. The blast injured fourteen British soldiers, but Adam bore the brunt of the explosion. He woke up weeks later to find both his legs shattered. After spending the next two years in hospital and undergoing more than 20 operations, his left leg was amputated.

At the age of 24, Adam, a keen ultra-marathon runner, found himself wheelchair bound, in constant pain and suffering with stress, insomnia and flashbacks. But with our support and by taking part in a BLESMA Rehabilitation trip, he discovered mono skiing. The specially adapted ski with a bucket seat allows him to be as active as he was before the injury and Adam has found that life is worth living again.

How you can help

BLESMA needs to raise nearly £3m a year in order to continue all of our vital work. By sharing challenging experiences and overcoming an understandable natural reticence in ‘putting yourself out there’ again, these men and women can forge close friendships, support each other and see that there really is life after amputation.

Your contribution towards BLESMA will make a difference to the lives of our members suffering today, our wounded soldiers.

“This is the most fun I’ve had in years. Until now, I’ve pretty much been a bum, but I’ve had enough of dwelling on the past. I want to get going!”

Adam Nixon, BLESMA Member and Amputee