Scottish beneficiary donates £500 to DMWS to support others - "We all look after each other, in good times and in bad” - Kevin's story - DMWS
This time last year, Scottish Army Veteran Kevin experienced a life-changing event. After jumping up while watching the Rugby World Cup, he collapsed on the floor. Kevin spent the next 24 hours unconscious and, when he woke up, was unable to move. He was paralysed. Despite constant cries for help, his neighbours couldn’t hear him. He could feel his body shutting down.
At 8pm that night, Kevin let out one last plea for help. Thankfully, someone was walking past and heard him, lifting the letterbox to find out what was wrong. All he could say was “I’m paralysed. I need help”.
Within minutes, four Police Officers arrived and, 20 minutes later, finally broke down the door.
Kevin was taken to A&E and, after many tests, was diagnosed with a serious spinal cord injury. He had suffered neurological damage and was admitted immediately to the National Spinal Unit at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where he had an 8.5-hour operation and spent the following three weeks on complete bed rest under the intensive care of the High Dependency Unit.
Kevin was then transferred to a rehabilitation ward where he spent three months learning to use his hands again and, most importantly to him, to walk again.
“As an ex-soldier, my discipline was to make sure I would not leave that ward in a wheelchair. I was determined to walk out of the doors.”
Sam, DMWS Welfare Officer and Complex Case Manager, came into Kevin’s life from his first week on the spinal unit. She has been supporting him through his treatment and recovery ever since, along with other DMWS Scotland team members. In Kevin’s words:
“Without Sam from DMWS, I’d be up a certain creek without a paddle. Her interventions have been important in my recovery. She has the military understanding too which means she gets my banter. She has helped me in lots of ways, from sorting out documents and applications to helping me get support from other organisations. She also helped me make an application to the MOD to apply for my Army Pension for ill health – initially it was rejected because my GP didn’t know I was in the spinal unit until weeks after the incident. Sam helped me to appeal the decision which was successful so now my finances have improved which is a great help. She also organised a care package for me, vetting the companies that she’d found in my local area and secured the funding so I could have the support I needed at home.”
Earlier this month, Kevin had a mini stroke as a result of his spinal cord injury. Sam has continued to be a familiar and trusted face for him during this stressful time. She also supported him to access the benefits he is entitled to with his neurological spinal cord injury, involving sitting at the bedside for a 3.5-hour interview for the application which was successful.
Kevin recently made a very generous donation of £500 to DMWS as well as other charities involved in his care. When asked why he donated, he said:
“I wanted to amplify that DMWS is a charity. The way so many services are getting shut down at the moment is worrying. I wouldn’t have been able to make that donation had Sam not helped me get my enhanced disability payment. I had a bit of extra money in my hand – I’m not a materialistic guy, I have everything I need. So, I gave a donation to DMWS and others. That’s what being a veteran is about: we all look after each other, in good times and in bad.”
DMWS are incredibly grateful to Kevin for his generous donation which will help us support other ex-service personnel like him, and proud of our dedicated teams who make this support possible.
Notes to Editors:
About Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is an independent charity providing medical welfare to those who have, and continue to, operate on the frontline. We place trained professional welfare officers in locations throughout the UK and Cyprus to deliver much-needed additional support for those who are on the clinical pathway. DMWS is committed to providing the highest level of welfare support to those in need, promoting their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Whether it is a new or pre-existing issue, our service is for anyone undergoing treatment for a health-related issue. By providing support in a range of settings, our staff are committed to promoting and preserving the health and wellbeing of those who have dedicated their lives to serving our communities. In addition, they are committed to enabling them to reach their full potential. This can speed up discharge from hospital, help patients recover more quickly, and reduce the likelihood of readmission or the need for onward referral.
DMWS has a long and proud history of supporting the military in times of need, offering expert help and advice to those affected by health-related issues. Through its comprehensive services and outstanding dedication, DMWS has become an integral part of the armed forces community, offering invaluable support to the armed forces community at their critical time of need.
More can be found out on our website at https://dmws.org.uk
Published: 4th November, 2024