A Newport paratrooper who broke his back in a horrendous accident in Iraq is hoping to help residents at the town’s Combat Stress.
Former RAF paratrooper Chris Bailey has recently opened an art shop in town with his wife Sharon, and after a surprise visit from Combat Stress clients, he hopes to aid them with their recovery.
He said: “I was working one day and some lads came in from Combat Stress.
“They were telling me all about their time fighting and how they now use art as a form of therapy.
“It felt great talking to them and now I plan to help them and at the same time I will be helping myself.
“I was amazed when they walked in the door and it has really helped me.
“I never expected this to happen.”
That help has already extended to hanging the former soldiers’ artwork up in the shop, and Chris hopes to share his experiences with the centre in the near future, although nothing has yet been agreed.
Chris suffered his injury five years ago when his parachute failed to open after a helicopter skydive went horribly wrong, but he defied doctor’s advice who said he would never walk again.
The Chetwynd End resident was in tour in Basra in southern Iraq when tragedy struck as he was set to abseil out of a Puma helicopter.
On the morning of March 6 2004, the 27-year-old jumped out of a helicopter when,180 feet from the ground, his equipment failed
“I thought that was it, I thought I was dead,” Chris, who joined the forces at 17, said.
“I jumped from the helicopter and was making my way down.
“I knew the equipment was new and it didn’t feel right.
“Suddenly I was falling towards the ground with nothing stopping me.
“I wasn’t thinking of anything, I just thought that was it, it’s difficult to describe.
“Luckily I had my paratrooper training behind me and I got into position for a landing.
“I don’t remember the rest, but I hit the ground and woke up in the field hospital in Shaibah.”
After the accident the father of four was told by doctors that he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
“They told me I would be pushed out of hospital in a wheelchair, but I got myself together and walked out on crutches,” he added.
The next year and a half would prove the worst for Chris as he was forced to leave his career behind and move on.
“It was very difficult, I drank a lot for a year and a half but it’s amazing how much a good woman behind you can help.
“I couldn’t have done it without Sharon.”