Wounded : Tom Neathway and Andy Allen: Thoughts
Wounded repeated 21:00 Friday 25th September on BBC3
I watched Wounded and was just humbled by the sheer bravery of those in the programme. Both Tom and Andy experienced injuries that in the general course of life we would never even dream of. But now these sort of injuries are unfortunately becoming almost common-place both here in the UK and around the world as we deal with Terrorism.
As I watched I found my 3 boys joining me to see what I was engrossed with viewing, they stayed up until the end despite it being a school night with both my blessing and the hope that it will help them understand what we are involved with in the Fight against Terrorism.
Rightly, I think, for this type of programme it didn’t examine the correctness of our reasons for being in Afghanistan or Iraq but concentrated on the recovery of the soldiers from their injuries and how they dealt with them.
The things I took from the programme were that we need a dedicated hospital for our Armed Forces, Selly Oak is doing a good job but is too small for what it is trying to achieve, a specialist hospital would most likely be better. It was also apparent from when they moved to Headley Court that the camaraderie that develops there is a major tonic. The skills and dedication of the staff everywhere was outstanding and just plain impressive, I just hope there are plenty of them available. And finally that despite all we say about the youth of today, underneath there is very much good, and that can only bode well for the future.
As a final parting can I just say that the final part of the programme when both Andy and Tom achieved their objectives was probably the most humbling television I have ever watched. I hope they go onto achieve many more Sadly Andy and Tom are only two of what is now a large number of wounded returning from Afghanistan, I hope that in the coming months we can begin to stop this tragic waste.
I watched both parts of “wounded” last week.
My God!! Can i just say how much of an inspiration Tom is to us all. I was in tears the whole time, and not because i felt sorry for him (because i’m sure that is not want he wants from anyone) but because i felt so proud. My ffelings did slightly shock me because i have never met this lad before, but if he made me feel like that, his parents feelings could not possibly be described.
I always go by the saying “there’s always someone worse off than yourself”, well Tom you proved that to me, i was winging all that day about a cold, thinking i had problems.
Tom’s not alot older than myself and i completely amend his outlook on life!!!
Good luck for the future Tom, i’m sure we’ll see you again!!
I help collect for H4H – cried the whole way through the programme even though I know exactly how it works. Have been to Headley Court – its a wonderful place. Tom and Andy are such brave guys as are all the soldiers. Selly Oak, when it is full can utilise other hospitals in and around Birmingham. H4H have donated £8million to Headley Court for a state of the art swimming pool…. its an honour to be part of the many people helping to collect for these guys and girls
Tom and his ilke are legendary and a true inspiration to us all. Politicians take note – this is what some of the country are made of, stern stuff. Putting their lives on the line, yet always thinking about the bloke next to them and all this while they are lining their pockets without sparing a thought for those serving or those injured, hence the need for H4H, SBSA, blesma etc. He was gutted for about ten minutes when he found out his arm had to be amputated. Blair etc take note, you can’t take the heart out of this country with people like that in our armed forces!!