Veteran makes emotional return to hospital

A veteran who lost an arm and both legs in Afghanistan has returned to the hospital in the UK where he was treated, saying he has not "got the words to express the gratitude I feel".

Jon White was serving with the Royal Marines when he stepped on an explosive device 16 years ago and was flown back to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

He was one of the first patients from the war admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit and has since gone on to become a motivational speaker and to represent Great Britain at kayaking.

White said: "I actually wouldn't change anything because I don't want to wish any of the good things that I've got in my life right now away."

He said the last thing he remembered from Afghanistan was being put in a helicopter under anaesthetic and then waking up at the hospital in Birmingham.

"I had a good idea that I'd lost three limbs before I was put to sleep on the helicopter," he said.

"I do remember the first time that the sheets were pulled back and being shocked by how short my legs were."

That had been a "pretty upsetting moment," he added.

The QE Hospital was the main centre for those returning from the war with significant injuries.

Jane Young, a physiotherapist who supported White was one of the members of staff to greet him on his first visit back to the hospital.

She said: "The last thing he remembers is being treated on the battlefield in Afghanistan and then the next thing is he's waking up here in the UK in a strange city in a strange hospital not knowing at that moment what had happened.

"I can't imagine how that must have felt for him."

Young also said it was unusual to see patients return after such a long period of time and to see White again was "amazing and inspiring".

White said: "I wasn't expecting to meet anyone that had anything to do with my care and [it was] just super-emotional."

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