Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2017 | Page 24

Interview
Then there was the occasion when a foot
came off while he was hurrying through
Waterloo Station - much to the horror of an
elderly lady who almost fainted with shock.
Regular wear and tear on the prosthetics
mean that Roy still has to attend the specialist
centre at St Mary’s Hospital every six months
‘for repairs’. He gets routinely fitted with new
ankle joints and has the legs checked. St Mary’s
also deal with stump problems, not just the
supply and repair of limbs.
“I do so admire the work they do at the
prosthetics centre – they are always helpful
and provide such a wonderful service.
“While I have had some episodes, I have
been so very lucky not to have experienced the
continual pain and discomfort suffered by so
many of my amputee friends.”
In fact Roy is such a positive and cheerful
force of nature, it’s hard to believe that he’s
endured such harsh physical challenges.
But, perhaps typically of that generation, he
has no room for self-praise.
“I have had a lot of help and support from
a lot of wonderful people, and I count myself
lucky in that” he says. “There were many of us
who lost limbs in the war but not everyone was
as fortunate as I have been, and they suffered
much more.”
Roy and his dog Kate, 1985
“I’d had one week’s holiday here and
thought how lovely and peaceful it
was. I saw the Seaview Regatta, the
lovely Solent views and just loved it”.
The Queen meets members of Blesma. Picture courtesy of the IW County Press
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