An injured Iraq war veteran from Westbury who was told he would never walk again, is now able to walk and even run, thanks to pioneering custom-made orthotics funded by Help for Heroes.
Jonathon Le Galloudec was shot in the spine while out on patrol in Iraq, which left him partially paralysed from the waist down.
Help for Heroes have funded the trial of custom-designed and custom-made orthotics using the expertise of Ottobock at their private clinic in Birmingham. This will allow Jon to feel stable on his feet and be relieved from the constant pain he has suffered since being injured. The exoskeleton is a new technology not available on the NHS and is being analysed by Help for Heroes. If the analysis on Jon’s orthotics proves to be a success, Help for Heroes will campaign for them to be funded by the NHS for wounded or injured veterans.
Jon said, “These new carbon fibre orthotics use dynamic energy to allow me to run again. I was told after my injury that I would never walk again; now with the support of Help for Heroes and these amazing orthotics I am able to do so much more which is an incredible feeling.”
Bryn Parry co-founder and CEO of Help for Heroes said, “It is amazing to see how advances in technology can give our wounded new hope beyond injury. The new orthotics will massively improve Jon’s recovery and seeing the immediate effect it has had is incredible. If successful, then it’s only right that the government funds this technology for others with a similar injury to Jon’s.”
Help for Heroes offers comprehensive support to those who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses whilst serving our country. This is provided through grants to individuals, other service charities, capital build projects and their four recovery centres across the UK which will offer support for life.
For more information about Help for Heroes, please visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk
