On a sunny day, Al and his 10-year-old daughters, Esme and Emilia, cycle to the park.
It looks like a typical family outing. But five years ago, Al, then 51, suffered a massive stroke that left him unable to walk, talk, or use the right side of his body. His wife, Gina, had to give up her job as cabin crew and become his full-time carer overnight.
Doctors couldn’t say if he’d ever walk again.
‘The worst day of our lives’
Al had served 33 years in the RAF, rising to Master Air Crew. The stroke changed everything.
“Afterwards, the consultant said to me, ‘Do you realise how life-changing this is?’” Gina recalls.
“To see Al go from himself to completely dependent, unable to speak or walk – it was the worst day of our lives.”
Thanks to the holistic support offered by Help for Heroes’ Very Seriously Injured (VSI) programme, Al has regained far more movement, speech, and confidence than anyone thought possible.
“The VSI programme has been a game changer,” says Gina. “We’re working better as a family. Al’s more confident. We're laughing and smiling more. For the first time in five years, I feel like we’re going to be alright.”
Gina - Al's wife
At a respite weekend for injured veterans, Al discovered the Ice Trike – a recumbent bike that gave him freedom and joy again. Help for Heroes later provided him with his own trike, which he now uses every day.
It’s more than exercise – it’s independence. Al can now take his daughters to school and the park, giving Gina some much-needed respite from her dual roles as carer and mum.
The trike, physiotherapy, and speech and language therapy – all funded by Help for Heroes – are helping Al rebuild his life.
Frightened to hug Daddy
“The twins were only four when Al had the stroke,” Gina says. “They went from having this affectionate, silly dad to someone they didn’t recognise. They were scared to hug him. Even a light touch caused him agony.”
The stroke caused nerve damage which made physical contact painful. It created emotional distance too – something the family has worked hard to heal.
Opening doors we didn’t know existed
A nurse from Help for Heroes, Karen, helped enrol Al in the VSI programme.
“It’s opened doors we didn’t know existed,” Gina says. “We thought we’d have to stop his speech therapy, but Karen made sure it continued – with the same therapist, which is so important. Speech loss has been the hardest part for Al. It’s so isolating. Seeing the progress he’s making brings me to tears.”
Karen also arranged weekly physiotherapy with a stroke rehab specialist. Al’s been working hard on strengthening his weaker right leg, and is now trying out a new splint to help with his dropped foot.
Seeing a future again
Recently, Gina started a new job teaching first aid for St John’s Ambulance.
With Help for Heroes’ support, I see a future for myself again. “The physio and speech therapy give Al hope – and give me some independence back too. Without them, none of this would’ve been possible.
Gina - Al's wife
Al’s recovery will be lifelong. But Gina takes comfort knowing they’re not alone.
“His injuries are life-changing, and he’ll always need rehab. Knowing Help for Heroes will be there for as long as we need them – that’s everything.”
To support veterans and their families like Al and Gina please consider donating to the No One Left Behind campaign by Help for Heroes.