What is the significance of the poppy? Why do we wear them as a symbol of Remembrance?
The Fiat Company
8 years ago
Monday 15 October 2007
Friday 12 October 2007
Maimed Soldier 'let down' by Army
Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson
Mother criticises MoD The mother of a soldier who lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan is to challenge his "flawed" compensation award in the High Court.
Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, was injured by a landmine in September.
The paratrooper, who will need special medical care for the rest of his life, was awarded £152,150 in compensation. His mother said he had been "let down".
The government said a review of the military compensation scheme was due to be completed within weeks.
Armed Forces Minister, Bob Ainsworth, said: "It is because of circumstances like this that the system is being reviewed and we will conduct that review as quickly as we can... to see whether or not we need to change the scheme that's in place."
'Fighting fund'
The Ministry of Defence said Mr Parkinson would also receive a guaranteed income payment for the rest of his life after he has left the Army.
He is reportedly one of the most seriously injured soldiers to survive.
Payment for injuries
Loss of legs - £115,000
Brain injury - £34,500
Fractures to arm - £2,650
Remaining 34 injuries - no payment
He lost both his legs as well as suffering a brain injury, fractures to his skull, cheekbone, nose, jaw, pelvis and vertebrae, as well as serious damage to his spleen and chest.
However, the award he received is only slightly more than half the maximum £285,000 which can be given to injured military personnel.
Diane Dernie, 49, is setting up a "fighting fund" to pay for her High Court bid.
She said: "We just can't believe that a scheme intended to care for soldiers who put themselves in such dangerous situations could be so flawed.
'Very positive'
"Any assessment of injury must look at the totality of those injuries to make a true award based on the long-term needs of the victim.
Mrs Dernie said the whole family felt 'let down' by the MoD
"The severity of Ben's injuries means that we need to be able to move to an adapted house to help him live as normal a life as possible."
Mrs Dearnie said her family had initially been told Ben would die from his injuries.
She said: "Ben was extremely ill, we were told that he was going to die. He was brought home directly to hospital rather than one of the specialist treatment centres because it was thought his injuries were un-survivable.
"But he has amazed everybody and he continues to improve - but he will need care for the rest of his life.
"Ben is very positive, he is very army minded and he also knows that he will always have his family behind him.
"We do try and shield him from some of the worst of our fears, but we do feel very let down."
Lump sum payment
According to Mr Parkinson's lawyers, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) only considers the three "worst" injuries, which are then assessed financially against a set tariff.
Mrs Dernie said her plans for a legal challenge were being backed by a number of other injured servicemen and their families.
"We owe it to all the injured soldiers to fight for the compensation they deserve, and which will help them to live the best quality life they can expect," she said.
In a statement, the MoD said: "The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme has made a lump sum payment to Ben Parkinson and will make additional monthly tax-free payments when he leaves service.
"The sum total of these could exceed £1m over his lifetime."
Mother criticises MoD The mother of a soldier who lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan is to challenge his "flawed" compensation award in the High Court.
Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, was injured by a landmine in September.
The paratrooper, who will need special medical care for the rest of his life, was awarded £152,150 in compensation. His mother said he had been "let down".
The government said a review of the military compensation scheme was due to be completed within weeks.
Armed Forces Minister, Bob Ainsworth, said: "It is because of circumstances like this that the system is being reviewed and we will conduct that review as quickly as we can... to see whether or not we need to change the scheme that's in place."
'Fighting fund'
The Ministry of Defence said Mr Parkinson would also receive a guaranteed income payment for the rest of his life after he has left the Army.
He is reportedly one of the most seriously injured soldiers to survive.
Payment for injuries
Loss of legs - £115,000
Brain injury - £34,500
Fractures to arm - £2,650
Remaining 34 injuries - no payment
He lost both his legs as well as suffering a brain injury, fractures to his skull, cheekbone, nose, jaw, pelvis and vertebrae, as well as serious damage to his spleen and chest.
However, the award he received is only slightly more than half the maximum £285,000 which can be given to injured military personnel.
Diane Dernie, 49, is setting up a "fighting fund" to pay for her High Court bid.
She said: "We just can't believe that a scheme intended to care for soldiers who put themselves in such dangerous situations could be so flawed.
'Very positive'
"Any assessment of injury must look at the totality of those injuries to make a true award based on the long-term needs of the victim.
Mrs Dernie said the whole family felt 'let down' by the MoD
"The severity of Ben's injuries means that we need to be able to move to an adapted house to help him live as normal a life as possible."
Mrs Dearnie said her family had initially been told Ben would die from his injuries.
She said: "Ben was extremely ill, we were told that he was going to die. He was brought home directly to hospital rather than one of the specialist treatment centres because it was thought his injuries were un-survivable.
"But he has amazed everybody and he continues to improve - but he will need care for the rest of his life.
"Ben is very positive, he is very army minded and he also knows that he will always have his family behind him.
"We do try and shield him from some of the worst of our fears, but we do feel very let down."
Lump sum payment
According to Mr Parkinson's lawyers, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) only considers the three "worst" injuries, which are then assessed financially against a set tariff.
Mrs Dernie said her plans for a legal challenge were being backed by a number of other injured servicemen and their families.
"We owe it to all the injured soldiers to fight for the compensation they deserve, and which will help them to live the best quality life they can expect," she said.
In a statement, the MoD said: "The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme has made a lump sum payment to Ben Parkinson and will make additional monthly tax-free payments when he leaves service.
"The sum total of these could exceed £1m over his lifetime."
Wednesday 10 October 2007
Gord's Troop Trick
This is an article from the Sunday Mirror by Michael Brunson former ITN politcal editor which captures my sentiments exactly. Please Read.
Gordon Brown's utterly cynical decision to fly to Iraq last week had me spitting tacks.
I thought this Prime Minister had turned over a new leaf, staying out of sight until he had something important to say or do. Yet this was spin and news management of the worst kind - a cheap shot to try to steal the Tories thunder during their conference.
When Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly parroted the official line on BBC's Question Time that Gordon needed to inform himself of the situation on the ground ahead of his Commons statement on Iraq tomorrow. She was quite rightly greeted with hoots of derision from the audience and every other one of her fellow panelists, and made to look very stupid. So cut it out Gordon.
If I were a squaddie in Iraq or Afganistan I would be heartily sick of the procession of politicians and other bigwigs flying into pose with me in the heat and the dust and going on about what a fine job I was doing and how proud he or she was of all that had been achieved.
I bet that uppermost in my mind would be how soon I could finish the questionable job I was sent out to do and get back home, and whether my jerry-built, damp, Sixties barracks, or quarters had been improved while I'd been away.
Sorting that out, and even more importantly, securing proper and generous compensation, and first-class medical care, for those service men and women who've been injured is the way the Prime Minister can really show that he values what our armed forces are called upon to do instead of using them as a backdrop for photo opportunities.
Gordon Brown's utterly cynical decision to fly to Iraq last week had me spitting tacks.
I thought this Prime Minister had turned over a new leaf, staying out of sight until he had something important to say or do. Yet this was spin and news management of the worst kind - a cheap shot to try to steal the Tories thunder during their conference.
When Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly parroted the official line on BBC's Question Time that Gordon needed to inform himself of the situation on the ground ahead of his Commons statement on Iraq tomorrow. She was quite rightly greeted with hoots of derision from the audience and every other one of her fellow panelists, and made to look very stupid. So cut it out Gordon.
If I were a squaddie in Iraq or Afganistan I would be heartily sick of the procession of politicians and other bigwigs flying into pose with me in the heat and the dust and going on about what a fine job I was doing and how proud he or she was of all that had been achieved.
I bet that uppermost in my mind would be how soon I could finish the questionable job I was sent out to do and get back home, and whether my jerry-built, damp, Sixties barracks, or quarters had been improved while I'd been away.
Sorting that out, and even more importantly, securing proper and generous compensation, and first-class medical care, for those service men and women who've been injured is the way the Prime Minister can really show that he values what our armed forces are called upon to do instead of using them as a backdrop for photo opportunities.
WELL SAID - Michael Brunson for the next election then!!
Monday 8 October 2007
Helmand Home Life
SANDBAGS decorate the walls, wooden planks balanced on empty ammo boxes are sofas and the less than fragrant smell of the latrines can be detected well in advance of a sighting.Contact with the world outside their Hesco bastion and barbed wire home at the Sangin District Centre is limited for the troops of A Company, 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment and its attachments. Privacy inside the wire is equally tight. Mosquito nets enveloping camp beds provide flimsy screens from neighbouring cots squeezed into the few rooms before overflowing onto roofs and terraces. Men have communal shaves in front of broken mirror shards and women sneak down to the river for a wash after dark. Quiet corners for letting off steam in a bluey home are at a premium and nobody can escape the reality of the Taliban lurking round the corner, especially when your body armour has evolved as your second skin.
The austere routine of life reflects the daily threat of attacks troops live with in Sangin. Downtime with an out-of-date magazine or contemplative cigarette always carries the edge of having to respond to an emergency at a moment’s notice.
Read The Full Article
Friday 5 October 2007
Wheelchair Rugby Is Tough
Take a look at this clip!
Heres another link to playing by running the gaunlet. Try it out and see if your any good !
Thursday 4 October 2007
Think Your Good Enough to Become a Pilot
Watch out, this will drive you crazy and it's addictive.Here's something to frustrate you on a Monday (or any other day!).The object is to move the red block aroundwithout getting hit by the blue blocks or touching the black walls.If you can go longer than 18 seconds you are phenomenal.The US Air Force uses this for fighter pilots.They are expected to go for at least 2 minutes. Give it a try!!
http://members.iinet.net.au/~pontipak/redsquare.html
http://members.iinet.net.au/~pontipak/redsquare.html
Wednesday 3 October 2007
The Customer Is A Pain
Today our shower has developed a problem whereby its motor continues to run once switched off.
My wife kindly let me have my Things To Do List which included phoning the 24hr MIRA Insurance Helpline. I duly called at 9am and spoke to a lady who advised me to switch of the electrics and power to the shower. I informed her I was disabled and a wheelchair user. I explained that it was highly unlikely I could do this due to the logistics and my situation.
She then asked me to get my carer, neighbour involved. Without going into the Why's & What Fors I duly informed her that it was not possible at this moment in time. The operator insisted that this is what I had to do in her Robotic standardised approach. This continued for a while going backwards and forwards without any empathy to my situation. She even went on to say 'that an engineer will take some days to get to you anyway.' I was getting quite cross a this stage but remained calm stating to her that I will go into the main road and shout for assistance then shall I. At this point she disconnected me.
My wife kindly let me have my Things To Do List which included phoning the 24hr MIRA Insurance Helpline. I duly called at 9am and spoke to a lady who advised me to switch of the electrics and power to the shower. I informed her I was disabled and a wheelchair user. I explained that it was highly unlikely I could do this due to the logistics and my situation.
She then asked me to get my carer, neighbour involved. Without going into the Why's & What Fors I duly informed her that it was not possible at this moment in time. The operator insisted that this is what I had to do in her Robotic standardised approach. This continued for a while going backwards and forwards without any empathy to my situation. She even went on to say 'that an engineer will take some days to get to you anyway.' I was getting quite cross a this stage but remained calm stating to her that I will go into the main road and shout for assistance then shall I. At this point she disconnected me.
Now I'm really P*****D Off - I thought how bloody rude. I called my wife and told her what had happened at which point she told me that she had isolated the electrics to the shower. She then called the 24hr MIRA Helpline herself, whilst I remained on our telephone. Now she has two telephones and conversations going. The operator then asked for the Insurance Start Date. Having the Policy in my hand I told my wife no date appears on their policy only our Policy Number. Thinking that this would enable the operator to obtain our customer information al all would be resolved. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Far too simplistic.
It transpires that we now have to obtain the contractors installation date from one of their invoices. Whilst we can do this I think to myself - Is it me or am I am a mug. I presummed that I was the customer, to be treated with respect, empathy.
I thought to myself it seems those days have long gone.
It transpires that we now have to obtain the contractors installation date from one of their invoices. Whilst we can do this I think to myself - Is it me or am I am a mug. I presummed that I was the customer, to be treated with respect, empathy.
I thought to myself it seems those days have long gone.
Well heres the punchline - I'm now sitting on my moral high ground when in fact my daughter turns round to me after returning from school this afternoon and says that the shower is fine.the noise we take to be the showers motor continuing to run is fact her electric razor!!!!!
Jesus - dont we just feel like eating a bit of humble pie.
Tuesday 2 October 2007
Bureaucracy
I have applied for a DFG recently (Thats a Disabled Facilities Grant ) for my property to be adapted and have been successful in part anyway.
That is to say that my property which is being altered to include a wet room and driveway which at the moment is particularly unsafe, has been approved . However, accessibility to my garden is not.
I have been informed that this is a Grey Area. My response maybe is just too simplistic in that accessibility to my garden affects my general wellbeing and interaction and social activity with my family and friends etc. I wasnt asking for a Garden Makeover just accessibility which amounted to approx £2k. Is this asking too much from a beaurecratic council. Me thinks not.
Anyway I am asking for a formal response from the local authority and a named contact for appeal. I am paraplegic 3yrs now through an infection and not trauma which I'm mentioning because its had a massive financial impact on our family in so much as I am not in a position to claim damages etc. and receive a financial award, but the bills still seem to arrive and they still have to be paid.
However, if we were in a better financial position I might have just said sod it and sorted it out myself. I feel aggrieved not just for me but for others who might not challenge such decsions but then again I have been down this road before.
10 October, 2007
This is the formal response I received from the Council;
Dear Mr Nash, Re: DFG application for access to garden I am sorry that we are unable to approve DFG funding for works enabling access to your rear garden. This access is a grey area under the current legislation and requires interpretation to arrive at our current policy, this being that we will provide primary access to the property. We will only provide secondary access, i.e to the garden, where a proven need has been established. This is to ensure a fair and equitable service is maintained for all applicants. I appreciate it would be favourable to enable you to spend time in the garden with your family and we are hoping such an amendment will be included in the forthcoming review of DFG legislation. I understand that Sabina Page has contacted you regarding the possibility of visiting with Marian Tipler on the 19th October. I would urge you to accept this to explore the options open to you. I am concerned that the progress of the application is being slowed by this one point. There is still the opportunity to proceed with the application without access to the garden and to apply for this at a later date, an option I would encourage you to accept to avoid further delay. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Alex Dickie
Housing Adaptations
Technical Team Leader
That is to say that my property which is being altered to include a wet room and driveway which at the moment is particularly unsafe, has been approved . However, accessibility to my garden is not.
I have been informed that this is a Grey Area. My response maybe is just too simplistic in that accessibility to my garden affects my general wellbeing and interaction and social activity with my family and friends etc. I wasnt asking for a Garden Makeover just accessibility which amounted to approx £2k. Is this asking too much from a beaurecratic council. Me thinks not.
Anyway I am asking for a formal response from the local authority and a named contact for appeal. I am paraplegic 3yrs now through an infection and not trauma which I'm mentioning because its had a massive financial impact on our family in so much as I am not in a position to claim damages etc. and receive a financial award, but the bills still seem to arrive and they still have to be paid.
However, if we were in a better financial position I might have just said sod it and sorted it out myself. I feel aggrieved not just for me but for others who might not challenge such decsions but then again I have been down this road before.
10 October, 2007
This is the formal response I received from the Council;
Dear Mr Nash, Re: DFG application for access to garden I am sorry that we are unable to approve DFG funding for works enabling access to your rear garden. This access is a grey area under the current legislation and requires interpretation to arrive at our current policy, this being that we will provide primary access to the property. We will only provide secondary access, i.e to the garden, where a proven need has been established. This is to ensure a fair and equitable service is maintained for all applicants. I appreciate it would be favourable to enable you to spend time in the garden with your family and we are hoping such an amendment will be included in the forthcoming review of DFG legislation. I understand that Sabina Page has contacted you regarding the possibility of visiting with Marian Tipler on the 19th October. I would urge you to accept this to explore the options open to you. I am concerned that the progress of the application is being slowed by this one point. There is still the opportunity to proceed with the application without access to the garden and to apply for this at a later date, an option I would encourage you to accept to avoid further delay. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Alex Dickie
Housing Adaptations
Technical Team Leader
The PC Brigade
Well this is the first time I've really written anything for other people to read but as you can guess from the title I'm not a fan of the PC Brigade which appears to have taken over this country.Today I viewed on a website that I usually visit, an article about the Red Arrows being 'too British' in respect of the Olympic Games due to be held in London in 2012. The article is as follows;
The world-famous Red Arrows have been banned from appearing at the 2012 London Olympics because they are deemed "too British". Organisers of the event say that the Red Arrows military background might be "offensive" to other countries taking part in the Games. The display team have performed at more than 4000 events worldwide, but the Department of Culture, Media and Sport have deemed the display team "too militaristically British". Red Arrows pilots were said to be "outraged", as they had hoped to put on a truly world class display for the Games, something which had never been seen before. Being axed from a British-based event for being "too British" is an insult - the Arrows are a symbol of Britain. The Red Arrows have been excellent ambassadors for British overseas trade, as they display their British-built Hawk aircraft all over the world. The Arrows performed a short flypast in 2005 when the winning bid was announced, but their flypast at the Games was to have been truly spectacular.
It is to be hoped that common sense prevails. If you disagree with this decision, sign the petition on the link http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RedArrows2012/?ref=redArrows2012
For god's sake we live in society that is starting to dictate too much about offending anyone. The guys that fly these planes are in fact volunteers from the RAF. These guys have been part of my childhood, going to various airshows and displays and an inspiration to the majority of others who stand there in awe at what these guys do, and do well!! This is part of our countrys' heritage. Other countries have their display teams visiting our country - Do I get offended? No.
So I suggest that our politicians grow a spine and declare that these boys can be part of the ceremony celebrating the 2012 UK Olympic Games.
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