A Glasgow-based charity helping amputees live life to the full has extended its reach into Tayside.
The Finding Your Feet charity was founded by mother and businesswoman Corinne Hutton, who fell gravely ill in June 2013 when she contacted acute pneumonia and septicaemia.
Surgeons were forced to amputate her legs below the knees and both her hands but despite her brush with death, Corinne has gone on to defy the odds and inspire others to overcome limb loss.
Dundee’s Balgay bowing club is the latest location for a group of local amputees, dubbed ‘troopers’ by the charity, to come together and try the sport, as well as share experiences and support each other.
The early success of the city initiative has drawn participants from Angus, Fife and Perthshire, sparking hopes other clubs may start.
The troopers, thanks to Bob Christie from Bowls Scotland and Jim Mackie at Balgay Bowling Club, now meet on the last Thursday of the month at Balgay.
“The club offers adaptive bowling, which allows anybody to bowl regardless of their abilities,” said Mr Christie, a well-known figure in Tayside bowling circles.
“They also have an Ampu-tea group where, as well as a social catch up over coffee and biscuits, they will arrange for guests to come in and share professional skills or hobbies with the group.
“Already the group has had prosthetics experts and a representative from Scottish Disability Sport along for a chat.”
The Dundee group also has a regular swimming and yoga session and plans to start up more clubs from the regular meeting place at Balgay.
“If anyone would like to know how Finding Your Feet could help, visit www.findingyourfeet.net or come along to Balgay Bowling Club in Melville Terrace, Dundee on Tuesday October 10 at 11am and meet those who already attend,” added Mr Christie.
Since losing her limbs, charity founder Corinne has set three world records, including becoming the first female quadruple amputee to conquer Ben Nevis.
She is in high demand as a motivational speaker but has also found time to learn to fly a single-engined plane, abseil and was a Commonwealth Games baton carrier.
She was also the poster girl for an NHS organ donor campaign and has written a book on her journey.
