Allan Long
activities week
first-timer
What did you enjoy the most?
It was all great, but the physical
and mental challenge was the
best bit – it was life-changing.
When we got to the quarry for
the rock climbing, everyone was
nervous. I swallowed my nerves,
stuck my hand up and got up
there! It was tremendous.
What else did you enjoy?
Go-karting – it was a mix of
adrenaline, fear and fun. We
also did a three-hour endurance
race, so it keeps you fit, too.
What was the social aspect like?
Fantastic. It was a lot of fun –
always laughing, and making
friends – but it was useful on
a practical level. I learned so
much: I even heard about a
new treatment for phantom
pains involving mirrors.
So you can take things from
here back into everyday life?
Absolutely. I also learned I have
a hole in my leg that I’d never
spotted, so that is getting fixed!
How did you get injured?
I was in the Navy for 24 years,
and had two accidents when
I came out – I lost my hand,
then I got run over with a
forklift and lost my leg. I also
overcame cancer in 2009. I’m
a fighter! I never say die.
What do you do for a living?
I run my own company supplying
materials to the building trade.
The positive attitude of BLESMA
helps show you what you can
achieve in life, despite setbacks.