Heartwarming Moment for Army Veteran

In a heartwarming and emotional scene, an Army veteran, Ben Bainbridge, who had his leg shattered by a bomb blast in Afghanistan, was able to walk his bride down the aisle on their wedding day. Ben was just 18 years old when an Improvised Explosive Device detonated next to him, causing extensive injuries.

The injuries were so severe that Ben had only two pints of blood left in his body when he received treatment from specialist medics. Against the odds, he survived the incident, but the nerve damage to his left leg left him struggling to walk. His foot was paralyzed, and he would often stumble and trip over.

Help for Heroes: A Journey to Recovery

Thankfully, with the help of Help for Heroes, Ben was able to receive a customised leg brace that has significantly improved his mobility. The leg brace holds his foot in position and has allowed him to enjoy life on both feet again. With this newfound ability, Ben fulfilled a very special wish on his wedding day – to walk his fiancée, Steph Dunn, down the aisle.

The couple exchanged their vows at St. Michael’s Church in Skidby, with their daughters Ellie, 11, and Ariel, seven, serving as bridesmaids. The celebration continued at The Millhouse in Skidby. This wedding served as an important milestone in Ben’s long journey to recovery. Steph reached out to Help for Heroes, initiating the assessments that led to Ben receiving the life-changing leg brace.

A Lifetime of Happiness

Help for Heroes expressed their well wishes, stating, “Everyone at Help for Heroes wishes Ben and Steph a lifetime of happiness together as they start this exciting new chapter.” They highlighted the significance of the leg brace in improving Ben’s quality of life and called for the reinstatement of the Veterans Mobility Fund, so that more veterans like Ben can continue to thrive in their recovery.

Reflecting on his wedding day, Ben expressed his excitement about walking up the aisle “for the right reasons” and feeling comfortable with the leg brace. Steph, too, was overwhelmed with emotion when Ben stood up and walked for the first time with the new brace. She described it as an amazing moment after witnessing Ben’s daily struggle to walk for the past 11 years.

Ben’s journey to recovery is an inspiring example of strength and resilience. His determination, along with the support of Help for Heroes, has helped him overcome immense challenges. We celebrate Ben and Steph’s love story and hope it inspires others to find hope in the face of adversity. This heartwarming story reminds us that love, support, and determination can lead to incredible moments of joy and triumph.