BlindVeterans_StephenPendleton_cannon_035
Blind Veterans - Stephen Pendleton, Rifleman with the 2nd Battalion Royal Green Jackets. He lost his sight on November 14th 1991 at 22 years old. He was stationed in Northern Island on a 2 and half year posting of which he was 9 months in. He was on his way to a daytime patrol by helicopter. The helicopter was in tactical flying manoeuvres , flying low to the ground when it hit a hill and started to roll down the hill. His safety belt broke and he rolled out the door. The helicopter rolled over him and his life was saved due to the peat bog. He sustained a fractured skull. Right ear was completely deaf while the other ear had hyper hearing for a while but is now in decline. he tried to open his eyes and was met with intense pain. He had post traumatic epilepsy, fractured Jaw, collapsed lungs, a ruptured spleen, lost left leg, right ankle and lower leg broken, right arm compound fractures. Looking back he was very angry but never regretted his time in the Army