Martin

Merchant Navy and Army Intelligence Corps veteran Martin had been struggling with his mobility for a little while when he realised he could do with some respite.

With the help of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, Martin discovered Care for Veterans and was thrilled to come stay a while.

Born in a British Military Hospital in Hanover, Germany in 1957 to a Father serving in the RAF for 32 years, a military career had always looked likely to Martin. After attending a Royal Navy Merchant School in Berkshire, Martin confidently applied to join the Merchant Navy. His career began the first Monday after his 16th birthday.

After five years exploring the world, helping with the stores and provisions for naval bases, Martin felt himself gravitating towards a new challenge. Aware of the troubles in Northern Ireland, Martin made a career move into the Army’s Intelligence Corps. Martin stated, “I just thought I could do my bit and help out.”

When asked about his role in the Intelligence Corps, Martin shared, “it’s difficult to talk about because it’s all classified work really. I worked more with physical security – so the safety of sensitive documentation, arms, ammunition and the barracks”. When asked about what he missed from his time in the Corps, Martin said, “the buzz of getting something right and knowing whatever you have done has helped with the bigger picture”.

Realising the need for respite

After a recent diagnosis of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) which causes breathing difficulties and having experienced some sporadic numbness in his legs, Martin began to concede that he might need some support in the form of respite. With help from a local SSAFA representative, Martin was presented with a number of care options , but it was Care for Veterans which stood out to him.In the two weeks he stayed at Care for Veterans, Martin was able to enjoy much of what the home had to offer.

Martin said, “It’s terrific here, I am having a wonderful time. My daughter text me and asked what I was up to and I told her I had just had a fry up for breakfast and I am going to wander off and get a cappuccino in a minute and then there is a concert this afternoon… and she said sounds like you’re living the dream! Life is good here.”