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Afghanistan grenade victim hails aid for injured soldiers
A CALDERDALE soldier maimed by a grenade blast in Afghanistan has backed a new charity to help those injured in Britain's conflicts.
Lance Corporal Paul Owen, pictured, of Lee Mount, Halifax, is still recovering from being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in June.
Now he has praised the charity Help for Heroes, which will highlight the plight of wounded soldiers and raise cash for them.
Paul, a 29-year-old father-of-four, was hit while on foot patrol in North Helmand province.
The blast almost destroyed his left arm from his wrist to his elbow. It left him blind and with perforated eardrums.
A battle helmet, which he received just weeks before, saved his life.
He said: "I've been having intensive physiotherapy to get the feeling back in my arm.
"I am suffering from post- traumatic stress and still suffering flashbacks of the attack. But I consider myself one of the lucky ones.
"I've heard a lot of stories about ex-soldiers being abandoned once back home and a charity like this that can get people together and get things off their chest will make a lot of difference."
The Government's compensation and treatment of wounded soldiers have been criticised recently.
But Paul says he has been treated very well: "It has all been very traumatic but I don't think I could have had much more help really.
"They were brilliant in hospital and made sure I had all the right medical attention.
"At first I thought I just wanted to get out of the Army but I've been offered a new job in Ripon and am really looking forward to starting again in a couple of months' time."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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