Special Needs
The Role of BLESMA
BLESMA is a National Charity for Limbless Ex-Service Men and Women. The Association also accepts responsibility for the dependants of it's Members and, in particular their Widows. It also accepts responsibilities for those who have suffered the loss of use of a limb in Service.
The object of the Association are to promote the welfare of all those of either sex who have Lost a limb or limbs, or one or both eyes, or the use of limbs as a result of service in any branch of Her Majesty's Forces or Auxiliary Forces and to assist needy dependants of such service limbless. It will also help those Ex-Service Men and Women who lose a leg after Service. Membership is as follows:
Ordinary Member
Ordinary Membership shall be open to all those Serving and Ex-Service Men and Women who whilst Serving, or as a result of Service in any Branch of HM Forces or Auxiliary Forces:
- Have lost a limb or an eye.
- Have permanent loss of speech, hearing or sight of an eye or the use of a limb. Within the context of Membership, 'permanent' shall mean not less than 80% loss of speech, hearing or sight.
Associate Membership shall be open to:
- All Men and Women of civilian status who lose a limb or an eye as a result of War Service or enemy action.
- All Ex-Service Men and Women who have lost a limb or an eye other than through Service related causes.
Honorary Membership shall be open by invitation of the Trustees to all Men and Women who accept and support the objects of the Association except that such category of Member shall only have the right to vote when holding or occupying a Branch Appointment.
Within the parameters of the object of the Association, BLESMA also:
- Provides permanent residential and convalescent respite accommodation through its two nursing and residential Homes at Blackpool and Crieff in Perthshire.
- Provides a counselling service to individual's pre and post amputations.
- Furnishes advice on Pensions, Allowances, makes representation to Government Departments on individual entitlements and, where necessary, represents Members and their dependents at Pensions Appeal Tribunals.
- Provides financial assistance to Members and Widows in the form of Grants.
- Plans and organises rehabilitation programmes for the Members.
- Assists in finding suitable employment for Members.
- Provides limited funding for research and development into artificial limbs and in the training of prosthetists and orthotists.
- Acts as a Consumer Watchdog in respect of the provision of artificial limbs, wheelchairs and appliances.
Address:
HQ BLESMA
Frankland Moore House
185 - 187 High Road
Chadwell Heath
Romford
Essex RM6 6NA.
Tel:
Fax:
E-mail:
Website: http://www.blesma.org/
| Back | Top |