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Brave Lisa is on the move again
WHEN Lisa Owen was forced to leave the Royal Navy and give up a 22-year nursing career because of an incurable spinal disease, her life was turned upside down.
WHEN Lisa Owen was forced to leave the Royal Navy and give up a 22-year nursing career because of an incurable spinal disease, her life was turned upside down.But now, thanks to the help of the Peterborough branch of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association's (SSAFA) Forces Help, Lisa (44) has been given a new lease of life after receiving a donation of a new mobility scooter.
Lisa, from Wisbech St Mary, joined the navy 22 years ago, and her glittering career as a nurse has taken her to several locations.
She worked aboard the Queen Alexandra during the first Gulf War in 1991, as well as receiving postings to Gibraltar, Plymouth and Portsmouth.
But the mother-of-one was forced to give up her career after doctors diagnosed her with degenerative spine disease - an incurable condition which has left her in constant pain and unable to carry out the simplest of tasks, from washing clothes to preparing a meal.
Lisa said: "I have gone from being the carer to being cared for.
"The disease means I could be in a wheelchair permanently, and I can no longer play with my eight-year-old son, Oliver."
As well as giving up her career, Lisa's condition is also affecting her hands, so she has also had to give up her hobbies, including photography, cycling and playing the guitar and saxophone.
However, now Lisa is beginning to get her life back on track thanks to the mobility scooter, donated by Anglia Mobility to SSAFA, which means she is able to get out and about without having to rely on others.
She said: "The pain is horrendous, and I am barely able to walk. I have had to have my home completely adapted for my needs.
"I am very angry and upset by the way the condition has left me, but this new scooter will allow me to start my life again - just in a different way to before I was diagnosed."
Lisa's case worker from SSAFA, Pam Sussex, said: "This scooter means Lisa is no longer confined to four walls.
"It means she can get out to the shops and to the church and regain some of her confidence and independence."
Lisa said she wanted to promote the work SSAFA do to help ex-service personnel.
She said: "As well as saying thank you to SSAFA I wanted to promote the work it does.
"It has given me an awful lot of support through this difficult time.
"I'd like to also thank Anglia Mobility, my family and friends, my church and, most importantly, my son, who helps no end.
"He is so thoughtful, understanding and helps me a lot."
SSAFA help and support anyone who has served in the armed forces and their families.
For more information visit www.ssafa.org.uk.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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