Imagine | Summer 2024
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Imagine | Summer 2024 A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Imagine | Summer 2024
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
“When I left the military, everything I’d known for 14 years was stripped of me. Sport gave me a challenge. It gave me a purpose. It’s been a massive part of my recovery.”
For our client Richard Davies, the Royal Air Force (RAF) was his calling. After trying different courses when he left college, the RAF offered the trade he wanted as a mechanic.
He toured the Falklands in 2013, then the UAE in 2014 and twice in 2016. In 2019, Richard was deployed on an exercise in Cyprus, when someone towing a jet engine trailer ran into his left heel. His foot folded in on itself and he was rushed to hospital where he had four hours of surgery to reconstruct it.
The surgery went well, and Richard returned to work with a protective boot and crutches after 12 weeks. He contacted our Military Injury team for support, but his case took an unexpected turn. At the time, doctors didn’t realise that Richard had sustained severe nerve damage, which later developed into complex regional pain syndrome. He was living with excruciating pain and found himself unable to take part in family life – it even hurt to laugh.
“When I left the military, everything I’d known for 14 years was stripped of me. Sport gave me a challenge. It gave me a purpose. It’s been a massive part of my recovery.”
For our client Richard Davies, the Royal Air Force (RAF) was his calling. After trying different courses when he left college the RAF offered the trade he wanted as a mechanic.
He toured the Falklands in 2013, then the UAE in 2014 and twice in 2016. In 2019, Richard was deployed on an exercise in Cyprus, when someone towing a jet engine trailer ran into his left heel. His foot folded in on itself and he was rushed to hospital where he had four hours of surgery to reconstruct it.
The surgery went well, and Richard returned to work with a protective boot and crutches after 12 weeks. He contacted our Military Injury team for support, but his case took an unexpected turn. At the time, doctors didn’t realise that he’d sustained severe nerve damage, which later developed into complex regional pain syndrome. Richard was living with excruciating pain and found himself unable to take part in family life – it even hurt to laugh.
“When I was at my lowest point, in the dark days, I couldn’t imagine finding the colour in life again.”
The decision to amputate
In April 2021, three surgeons collectively agreed that amputating his foot would give Richard the best outcome. The news hit him hard, and he left the appointment feeling sick, but talking things over with his wife, Toni, gave him a different perspective and they both felt it was the only way to get life back on track.
Having a plan brought Richard some relief. He says, “I couldn’t do what I wanted to because of the pain. I felt I needed to sort things out for my children.”
On 30 July 2021, despite his pain, Richard walked into the hospital on two feet for the last time.
Richard said after his surgery, “The pain that was just part of me was gone.”
Seven weeks later, Richard was cast for his first prosthetic and took his first steps. He says, “It was the first time I’d been able to walk without screaming in pain. I knew then that I’d made the right decision to amputate.”
“I felt as a father I should be running round with my children. Since my amputation I can chase after them. It fills me with so much joy.”
The decision to amputate
In April 2021, three surgeons collectively agreed that amputating his foot would give Richard the best outcome. The news hit him hard, and he left the appointment feeling sick, but talking things over with his wife, Toni, gave him a different perspective and they both felt it was the only way to get life back on track.
Having a plan brought Richard some relief. He says, “I couldn’t do what I wanted to because of the pain. I felt I needed to sort things out for my children.”
On 30 July 2021, despite his pain, Richard walked into the hospital on two feet for the last time.
Richard said after his surgery, “The pain that was just part of me was gone.”
Seven weeks later, Richard was cast for his first prosthetic and took his first steps. He says, “It was the first time I’d been able to walk without screaming in pain. I knew then that I’d made the right decision to amputate.”
“I felt as a father I should be running round with my children. Since my amputation I can chase after them. It fills me with so much joy.”
The 2023 Invictus Games
During his recovery at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall, Richard met Rachel Williamson, Team UK’s first female captain for the Invictus Games. Talking to him about her experience, she encouraged Richard to attend the selection camp. He says, at first “I didn’t think I was broken enough.”
The games are an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women and Richard found himself meeting people in a similar situation. Members of the Royal British Legion (RBL) were encouraging people to join the team, recognising the role that sport can play in their recovery.
Our military injury expert, Simon Harrington who supported Richard to make a legal claim says, “It gives them the camaraderie, physical exertion, and challenges they lose after leaving the military. Sport replaces quite a bit of what they’ve lost.”
Richard was medically discharged from the Air Force after his amputation and felt like he’d been stripped of the uniform that was part of him for 14 years. Seeing the Team UK kit laid out in the Battle of Britain bunker at the games was an “overwhelming feeling.” He said, “I’ve lost one uniform, but having the chance to wear the Union Flag, it’s like you’re serving your country again.”
During the games, Richard stormed to victory in the pool, claiming gold medals in all four of his swimming disciplines, and placing well in rowing and archery.
Richard said, “It was an out of this world, unforgettable experience that’s really ignited everything going forward.”
During the games, Richard stormed to victory in the pool, claiming gold medals in all four of his swimming disciplines, and placing well in rowing and archery.
Richard said, “It was an out of this world, unforgettable experience that’s really ignited everything going forward.”
After the games, Richard “hung up his trunks” to focus on his newfound love of archery. He now trains at his local club in Norwich and hopes to secure a place on Team GB’s paralympic pathway for Los Angeles in 2028. His enthusiasm’s rubbed off on his son Rhys, who’s also found an interest in the sport, which allows them to spend quality time together that Richard feels he missed out on when Rhys was younger.
Richard’s also got his sights set on the slopes. He’s exploring the opportunity of joining the RAF para-snowboarding championships and possibly the winter paralympic team, enjoying the chance to be back amongst the banter of his Air Force colleagues.
Richard says, “I love the competition. I want to show others what’s possible. People look at you and think, you shouldn’t be able to do that. I want to say, I’m still capable.”
After the games, Richard “hung up his trunks” to focus on his newfound love of archery. He now trains at his local club in Norwich and hopes to secure a place on Team GB’s paralympic pathway for Los Angeles in 2028. His enthusiasm’s rubbed off on his son Rhys, who’s also found an interest in the sport, which allows them to spend quality time together that Richard feels he missed out on when Rhys was younger.
Richard’s also got his sights set on the slopes. He’s exploring the opportunity of joining the RAF para-snowboarding championships and possibly the winter paralympic team, enjoying the chance to be back amongst the banter of his Air Force colleagues.
Richard says, “I love the competition. I want to show others what’s possible. People look at you and think, you shouldn’t be able to do that. I want to say, I’m still capable.”
I’m discovering that it’s not the end of the world. It’s a mindset thing. You can either let it consume you or take that challenge and do your best to conquer it.
Stepping through adversity
Determined to push himself to the limit, Richard and his friend Richard Potter are gearing up to take on the world’s toughest trail. The pair will attempt to become the first amputees to complete the Snowman Trek in Bhutan. Richard says, “It’s either the stupidest idea I’m ever going to have or the best.”
With altitudes of up to 6,000 metres and unfavourable weather conditions, only 50% of those who take on the 200-mile, 30+ day Himalayan challenge succeed. If they get to the end, they’ll set a new world record.
For Richard, it’s about changing the way people perceive those with limb loss. He understands that not everyone wants or is able to take on sporting challenges after amputation but, “I like to be able to say, ‘I have the ability to do this. My disability’s not going to hold me back.’”
“Life’s full of challenges. It’s getting out of bed, out of the house. If you can beat that challenge that day, you’ve succeeded.”
“Amputation slows us down, but it’s not going to stop us.”
You can follow their progress on Instagram @the_limbitless_expedition.
“Amputation slows us down, but it’s not going to stop us.”
You can follow their progress on Instagram @the_limbitless_expedition.
Legal support
If you or a loved one’s sustained a serious injury leading to amputation, and you need support and guidance, please reach out to our caring and professional team.