Iraq War Army veteran Mark Watt is enjoying life in his Bernicia home – specially adapted to meet his needs after a catastrophic accident left him paralysed from the chest down.
Mark served four years as a private and specialist driver with the Royal Logistics Corps – a seven-month tour of duty in the Middle East saw him and colleagues under mortar fire with the constant threat of roadside improvised explosive devices.
A return to civilian life working as a teacher, baker and then Nexus railway engineer was cruelly cut short by a freak accident. On a day out in Durham with friends, Mark dived into the River Wear, breaking his neck on rocks below the water, leaving him to rebuild his life at just 32-years-old.
He spent six months in specialist care in Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital and after a spell living with his parents, decided he needed to find his own home.
Mark, 40, said: “I’m paralysed, a C7 break, I’ve no feeling or movement from my chest down, in a wheelchair and I was looking around for a home.
“This property in Lemington came up and Sophie Greenley from Bernicia helped me to look around this one, she supported me to make all the adaptations needed in my house which was really nice of her.”
Bernicia is signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising the invaluable contribution of serving military, veterans and their families to business and communities.
We recognise that no member of the Armed Forces community should face disadvantage in public or commercial services and, in some circumstances, special treatment may be appropriate, especially for the injured or bereaved.
Mark’s mental fortitude, which he attributes to his Army service, helped him rebuild his life and press ahead to find enjoyment in his new home.
“My Army mindset has helped me get on with this,” said Mark.
“You have to soldier on, what I’ve been dealt I’ve seen people worse than me who can’t use their hands, I’ve got the luxury of using my hands. I’ve got my own hands and I can drive.”
A ramp to his home, wet room, widened doorways, specially adapted kitchen and access to a disabled parking bay allow him to make the most of his home and live the life he wants to.
“I couldn’t get out of my back door in my wheelchair to the shared garden area so I asked if I could fit decking to get outside to enjoy the fresh air,” said Mark.
“Sophie pushed loads of buttons, sent loads of stuff off and now I’ve got a beautiful decking area I can get out onto which was really helpful.
“Life is spot on, I’m totally independent now, it feels amazing to do my own washing, I can put my washing out on the decking to get it dry.
“I’ve got my life and got this place as I want it. I’ve got a 13-year-old son and he can come here now every other weekend and he’s got his own room.
“Thank you Bernicia for your understanding with the issues raised and the empathy you showed to my situation.
“Sophie and Beverley at Bernicia have been outstanding and really makes me feel Bernicia as a whole is supportive of people with disabilities and will try to make any changes possible to make people feel included in the community.”
Housing Officer Sophie said: “The work has been done to such a high specification and it’s making Mark’s life a lot easier.
“We’ve been able to support Mark to be able to live comfortably in his home which reflects our commitment to support veterans through the Armed Forces Covenant.”
