BLESMA VISIT KEPIER

It was with great pleasure that Blesma came in on 15th November 2018 to present their Community Programme and the work that goes on behind the scenes with Generation R and resilience to some of our learners.

The Charity was represented by Darren and Owain. Key principles behind the Programme focused on overcoming adversity and developing the resilience to get back up and face obstacles that life can throw at you.

Blesma is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Servicemen and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the loss of use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight. The charity work supports these men and women in their communities throughout the UK and overseas.

Blesma does not receive any government funding, so rely solely on public support to enable them to help our injured veterans for as long as they need them on the long and difficult road ahead.

Contextually, Darren was a young soldier when he lost both legs above the knee and two fingers in a bomb blast that was concealed whilst in Northern Ireland in the early 1990’s. He talked emotionally, honestly and graphically about the blast and how it initially changed his life in a negative way.

Darren knew he needed to make changes in his life and with support, he overcame these by:
• Taking a step back and realising that he could overcome adversity.
• Developing resilience.
• Taking on extreme sports and activities to push himself to be the best.

During the time Darren was speaking the learners were completely absorbed in his life story. To follow, they completed a team exercise where they were given problem scenarios and then talked about coping strategies when life’s problems get in the way of following the right path.

Many thanks to Darren and Owain for coming into Kepier and working with our learners; it's an experience that they will never forget.