Well it all started in 1994, I had a very bad road accident on 18/8/1994. I broke every bone in my body except my neck, I was in a coma for 2 weeks and had 13 plates 32 pins and 50 screws inserted in my body to rebuild me Total.

All the emergency surgery was done in Leicester Royal Infirmary; I was moved to Pontefract General Infirmary after I came out of my coma.

I played Semi-Pro Rugby League for 14 years, this helped save my life I was told due to my big strong build. After 4 months in hospital I came out and 2 months later I applied for DLA mobility. I was refused this because I had not enough injuries? I asked for 3 reviews in total and then went for Appeal. After months I got a Appeal date, 1 hour before I was to set off for my appeal the DLA telephoned me and said they had awarded Mobility for Life and Low Care for Life. I asked the reason they came to this? They said they had been reading the wrong Medical Records!

Anyway this was in all the National Newspapers; I have also been on Big Breakfast, BBC 999 and all the National newspapers 3 times about the metal inside me and also Fourteen TV Ch4 about me.

This then prompted me to see if I could help any others with Disability problems with claims with the DLA or DSS, I then joined the OBN and was made a Area Rep for Halifax and later a Regional Rep for Halifax / South & West Yorkshire area.

In the past years I have attended numerous Appeal hearings with Members in my Catchment's Area, and have the support of Local MPs (Alice Mahon-Halifax, Christine McCafferty-Calder Valley. I have taken cases from people in Halifax and Sheffield to Appeal.

I think my record is good, I was told at an Appeal by the Chairperson that my presentation was excellent which is a big boost for me and definitely the BBN.