'Battle for life. Life is hard.' 

That is Michael Lyddiard's message to the world.  And battle, he sure does.

This is an episode that, if I'm completely honest, hasn't left my mind since we switched off the mics.  With my usual riffing style of podcasting I never know just where we will end up, so I never find myself thinking 'gee I didn't expect that'...  

Except for this time.

So imagine going to work to one day have all your plans blow up in your face.  Literally.  Well, this is what happened to former Sergeant and bomb disposal expert, Michael Lyddiard in November 2007.   

Michael was carefully uncovering an improvised explosive device (just another day at work for a bomb dude), when the device detonated and left him with one hell of a list of injuries.  Injuries so substantial in fact, that upon arrival home (incidentally on Remembrance Day) the DVA told Michael and his family at the time that they had never experienced such severe injuries, and they simply didn't know what to do.

Michael lost his lower right arm, removed half of his left hand, his right eye, damaged the sight in his left eye, damaged his hearing and inflicted severe lacerations to the rest of his head.

The incident was horrific.  The experience returning home and gaining support was as much a battle.  And 13 years later, just like the rest of us, Michael continues to face the turbulence of life.  Relationships, family, children, people and everything in between.

At times it's a tough listen, but if you pull out as much perspective as I did you're going to appreciate hearing this warriors journey.

#Resilience #Vulnerability 

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