Ben Parkinson

Ben joined the army at 16 & the paras at 17. Para selection was tough cos of his size,always being injured,but he persevered, trying 7 times before passing! He was in the 1st allied vehicle in to Iraq in '03 aged 18. Served in Kosovo & on a Green Godess fire engine before deployment to Afghanistan. Injured in Sept '06 by an anti tank mine, he wasnt expected to survive. His family were told he was being rushed back to die. Both legs gone above the knee, back broken in 4 places, arm & chest shattered & massive brain injury, with no chance of recovery.Unconscious for several months, his family was told he'd never sit upright or function independently. It wasnt even thought necessary to repair his back. A broken pelvis was found 6 months later. The brain injury took his speech, but not his personality & sense of humour. Slowly he grew stronger. Determined to prove everyone wrong, he fought back every step of the way. 1st using a voice synthesiser, now speaking unaided. Bens intelligence & wit unchanged. Still the same funny & caring Ben. He's in the gym & rehab 12 hrs a day & now walks with crutches. The rest of his time spent raising money for many military charities & as patron of his beloved Pilgrimbandits.Ben doesnt think himself badly injured or unlucky. When asked he says 'it could be worse it could have been 1 of my mates.' Still very much part of 7 Para, he's still very much a soldier. Ben believes that no-one can tell you what you can/cant do. That is down to you alone