EDWARD Blaney's life was turned upside down when he suffered a stroke seven years ago.
The 65-year-old, from Upper Church Street, Spennymoor, County Durham, was paralysed down his left side and virtually house-bound.
Now he has found a new lease of life - thanks to the Royal British Legion, which has funded a scooter to help him get out and about.
Mr Blaney, who lives with his 62-year-old wife Helen, said the machine has given him back his independence.
He said: "I would not be able to go out without it. I can only walk about 20 yards. My arm and leg are paralysed."
Mr Blaney has a wheelchair but his wife is no longer able to take him out in it.
She said: "I have got arthritis in my knees and I was finding it very hard to push it."
Mr Blaney served in the Royal Army Service Corps as a staff car driver in Berlin, from 1953 to 1956. He has been a member of the Spennymoor branch of the Royal British Legion since then, and is a former concert chairman.
Since he got the scooter, he has started attending his local day centre once a week and can get to and from the venue himself.
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