Update: 3 Oct 24

We had to stop after 12 days in April as the immunotherapy I was on triggered something called Addison’s Disease.

Addison’s affects the bodies cortisol production, such that you can’t self regulate your own hormonal balance. Untreated, you lose your appetite, suffer severe exhaustion and eventually fade into a coma or die.

We caught it early enough and I’m now on replacement steroids. So (as well as getting absolutely ripped!) I have been able to restart our pilgrimage.

Including our earlier walk, we have covered 438km of the 835km total.

If you have already helped with a donation, please let us thank you again on behalf of wounded & injured personnel, veterans and their families. If you would like to help some more, please consider sending this link to one person who might also be interested in helping.

If you haven’t had an opportunity to help, please consider donating. The smallest amount helps service men and women in their rehabilitation journeys and blind and limbless veterans live better lives.

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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Please will you help me support blind and limbless ex-service members of the British Armed Forces?

What I’m Doing

My father and I are walking a pilgrimage in northern Spain. 810km from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela. It should take about 35 days.

Why I’m Doing It

14 years ago I suffered a minor non-combat injury in Afghanistan. Despite the best efforts of several teams of doctors and surgeons it was never fully, effectively treated. In late 2022 it was discovered that my entire right arm, shoulder and chest wall were infected with a rare form of cancer, an epithelial sarcoma.

Over the course of the last decade or so I have undergone 37 surgical procedures to my right arm and hand, ending in the total amputation of my right arm and shoulder. This amputation resulted in a stroke which has left me partially blind in my right eye. In addition, my lungs have collapsed on six separate occasions, all requiring surgical intervention.

Finally, after the amputation it was discovered that the Sarcoma had spread to my lungs. I spent the winter undergoing chemotherapy but that made it slightly worse. Doctors tell me the form of cancer I have is incurable.

That’s all really dark so let’s talk about Blesma instead!

Blesma

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the loss of use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight. They support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK and overseas.

Since 1932, they have been the only national Service charity that supports limbless veterans for the duration of their lives. Members range from the youngest amputee veterans to those who fought in WWII, some having lived with limb loss for more than half a century. Modern medicine transforms the physical injury, but it is a complicated process to treat the emotional trauma and related lifelong health problems.

Blesma provides a network where Members not only enjoy support from their professional Welfare Team, but where they have the opportunity to engage with others who have similar injuries and backgrounds to themselves, building an important fellowship with each other to overcome everyday battles.

Importantly, Blesma also supports the families of its members, even so far as membership passes directly to a members widow. The mental and psychological toll that injuries take on the spouses and children of members is incredible. The support that Blesma offers to families, and the knowledge that support will continue after they are gone, is a huge element of what the charity offers to its members.

Money Stuff

My dad is raising money for the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Benevolent Fund (https://www.justgiving.com/page/john-oleary-dmrc-2024-1712662169819?newPage=true). DMRC has been a real life saver for me over the last few years, please check out his page!

We’re paying all our own costs, so whatever you can donate will go directly to Blesma - every pound, dollar or euro – will go directly to the support (physical, emotional, and psychological) of limbless and sightless veterans.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

One Final Note

Some of you reading this may be under the impression that this is a sad or unfortunate tale. It is not.

It’s only the doctors who think this can’t be cured and if the British Army has taught me anything, it’s that a pig headed refusal to look facts in the face will see me through.

I’m not sure I could live with myself if I died of a sarcoma, so I have no intention of doing so.

Thank you for your support and keep checking back as I upload our progress toward Santiago!

Gus