About Us > How we have helped so far > James
James, a 76-year-old RAF veteran, has lived with an acquired brain injury since he was just 21 years old. His story is one of resilience, adaptation, and finding joy despite life-altering challenges.
At 16, James began his dream career as an engineer in the Royal Air Force (RAF) at RAF Coningsby, where he served for six years. His passion for engineering and dedication to the RAF was unwavering. However, in 1969, James’ life took a dramatic turn after a road traffic accident left him with a brain injury that impacted his mobility and caused partial loss of sight. Reflecting on the accident, James shared: “One accident… and it ruined my life.”
James faced a long and difficult recovery. Although the RAF offered to retrain him for a different role, James was determined to continue working within the Air Force. He later secured a position with a company contracted to the RAF, which allowed him to stay connected to the field he loved. When the contract ended, James transitioned to a role in the civil service, showing his determination to remain productive and engaged despite his physical limitations.
As James began to struggle with independent living, social services helped him transition to a home at Blind Veterans UK. When that care home relocated, he found a new home with Care for Veterans. His sister Rosalyn noted, “Blind Veterans and Care for Veterans have a similar ethos and sense of order – which provided familiarity for James.”
At Care for Veterans, James accessed vital physiotherapy services and found joy in creative activities at the Wellbeing Hub. After a fall in March 2024 which damaged James’ femur, the physiotherapy team created a personalised plan to ensure his safety and comfort. This included the use of hoists for transfers and targeted exercises to maintain his strength. Lead Occupational Therapist Claire commented, “Whilst James has been waiting for his NHS wheelchair to arrive, Care for Veterans was able to lend him a chair that better suits his needs. The wheelchair we provided has lots of padding and has a tilt-in-space function, which makes it more comfortable for him, especially when his carers need to hoist him into it.
The Wellbeing Hub offers James the opportunity to enjoy the company of residents, volunteers and staff. Lead Occupational Therapist Claire shared, “James seems to especially benefit when there is a calm vibe to the hub with very soft music & others around him doing a soothing activity like painting.”. Wellbeing Hub Assistant Ann added, “When James is having a good day, he is a regular visitor to the Wellbeing Hub. He’s funny, has an incredible memory, and loves painting. He’s really good at it.”
Rosalyn expressed her gratitude for the care James has received, saying, “I can tell how content James is at Care for Veterans. The staff are lovely, helpful, and caring, and both James and his room are always kept clean and tidy.”
James’ journey highlights the importance of organizations like Care for Veterans in providing tailored, multi-disciplinary care to disabled veterans. Through the generosity of donors and supporters, individuals like James can access the resources and support they need to thrive.
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