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Injured paratrooper can keep job | Injured paratrooper can keep job |
(10 minutes later) | |
A paratrooper who suffered massive injuries in Afghanistan has been told he can return to his regiment in Essex. | A paratrooper who suffered massive injuries in Afghanistan has been told he can return to his regiment in Essex. |
Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, lost both legs and suffered brain damage in a 2006 landmine blast. | Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, lost both legs and suffered brain damage in a 2006 landmine blast. |
The soldier, from 7 Parachute Regiment at the Royal Horse Artillery, always said he wanted to stay in the forces. | The soldier, from 7 Parachute Regiment at the Royal Horse Artillery, always said he wanted to stay in the forces. |
Now the Ministry of Defence has said he will not be discharged from duty and can return to his Colchester base. | Now the Ministry of Defence has said he will not be discharged from duty and can return to his Colchester base. |
L/ Bbr Parkinson has been described as the most severely-injured soldier to survive. | |
He uses prosthetic legs, but has lost the use of one arm, the power of speech and much of his memory. | |
Walked unaided | |
The soldier was initially awarded a £152,000 lump sum in compensation. | |
By comparison, an RAF servicewoman who was left disabled after damaging her thumb received a payout of £484,000. | |
His mother Diane Dernie campaigned against the amount, and earlier this year the MoD changed its regulations and L/Bdr Parkinson's compensation went up to £285,000. | |
L/Bdr Parkinson had expected a discharge from the Army next month, but now his family say he has been told he will remain. | |
After learning he will stay in the Army L/Bdr Parkinson stood for the first time unaided. | |
He then walked four lengths of a gym in Doncaster, where he is receiving physiotherapy. |
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