War veteran who lost both legs in Afghanistan becomes personal trainer at rehab centre that treated him

'I want to inspire the disabled community to make changes to their lifestyle'

A war veteran who lost both his legs fighting in Afghanistan has overcome his injuries to become a personal trainer at the rehab centre where he was treated.

Former Royal Engineer Greg Stevenson, 33, lost one leg above and the other below the knee when he stepped on an IED bomb while on patrol in 2009.

Stevenson was swiftly flown to Camp Bastion where he underwent life-saving surgery before being transferred to the UK to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.

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The father of two was treated at the Army rehab centre Headley Court before moving to the Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC) in Preston, Lancashire.

“I was a Royal Engineer and had been in the Army for four years and was injured in my first tour,” Stevenson, who is from Colne in Lancashire, said.

“It was just a routine foot patrol and I had pushed into a building to get up on the rooftop for a better view of the area when I stood on an improvised explosive device.

“I remember experiencing a fairground ride sensation of being thrown and my stomach not feeling right.

“The initial pain was in my face but as I came to it became evident I had lost my legs. The other lads pulled me out and got me into the helicopter.”

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But now Stevenson has been fitted with prosthetic legs and has qualified as a personal trainer - he is currently working at the SMRC as a physical training instructor.

“In Afghanistan people getting injured and killed was such a regular occurrence that at first I was quite accepting and pragmatic about what happened,” the former serviceman said.

“But as time went on I realised the extent of my injuries and how difficult it was to walk on prosthetic legs and the difference to my lifestyle.

“Before this happened I loved playing football and was a keen runner. It was about coming to terms with the fact I wasn’t going to be able to do things as easily anymore.”

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Stevenson speaks very highly of the care he received at the centre, and is happy with his prosthetic legs.

“I have got the best prosthetic legs you can get and have also got running legs,” he said.

“But the centre is not just about prosthetics - it has a gym and offers counselling as well. It is first class. I specialise in exercise and disability referral and my aim is to help people with disabilities get back to exercise.

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“I also want to help those who want to take their exercise further and challenge their disability. I want to inspire the disabled community to make changes to their lifestyle.

“I am still a patient at the centre and it feels strange being at the other side and working here as well. But I am proud of myself as well for what I have achieved.”