Steve Owen

I was born and raised in Cardigan, West Wales. After completing my schooling, I joined the First Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 2006.

My first deployment with my regiment was to Cyprus, where we assumed the roles as Theatre Reserve Battalion (TRB), which was a job role to support operations and different battle groups in Afghanistan. After 2 years on this posting we then moved back to the U.K. and were based in Chester.

While deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, as a member of a Reconnaissance unit, I took part in Operation Mostarak in Nad-e-ali, Helmand Province. It was on a patrol during this operation that I was hit by an IED which left me with substantial injuries to my right leg and head. These injuries required an eighteen-month recovery process, including fifteen operations to correct the damage and lengthy stays at both Headley Court and my base location in Chester.

In 2012 I was once again deployed back to Afghanistan.  Unfortunately, my leg had not fully recovered and following this tour I was given medical leave. In 2013, I was medically discharged from the British Army.

After another lengthy recovery process, I was declared fit enough to retrain as a Hostile Environment Close Protection Officer (CPO). My first posting was to Baghdad, Iraq where I worked as CPO to the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) (British embassy). Following my posting to Iraq, I continued to do part time contracts in London and all over the U.K.

In 2016 despite several other operations to save my leg, due to loss of use and extreme pain, I chose elective amputation.

My motto for life is ‘’I am determined to not let my ‘disability’ define my life and use my experience and resilience to give back to the people in need.’’

On top of my work with Woody’s, I actively participate in Wheelchair Rugby and other outdoor pursuits. I also seek opportunities to support other Veterans and amputees through speaking engagements with BLESMA and other agencies.

I now live with my wife and three sons in a small village in West Wales.