A war hero defies the odds of becoming a father despite the groin injuries caused by the explosion of a Taliban-launched bomb



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WHEN you have lost a leg and an arm, taking care of a toddler can be tricky, especially when it is about tying your child wriggling in an automobile set.

But the hero of the war, Ben McBean, who defied every chance of becoming a father after being injured in the groin by the explosion of a bomb explosion that has cost the lives of the Taliban, settled everything.

    Former Royal Marine Ben McBean, partner of Zara Archer with his son Albie, at home in Plymouth

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Former Royal Marine Ben McBean, partner of Zara Archer with his son Albie, at home in Plymouth

The former Navy, nicknamed "Harry's Hero" after returning from Afghanistan on the same flight as the Prince, said: "In fact, I'm better at it than I am!"

Speaking of his joy over his unexpected paternity when he and his 21-month-old son Albie and his partner, Zara, 31, Ben added, "In retrospect, all the struggles are worth it. .

"I DID NOT KNOW IF I DID NOT GET A FRIEND"

"I'm so happy never to give up because now I have Albie and that's the best thing in the world."

Ben, 31, winner of the Millies Award, who had to remove a testicle due to injuries caused by the explosion, also joked: "At least, everything still works out there and my only testicle was up to ".

The former Plymouth Commando in Devon lost his right leg and left arm when he stepped on a mine in February 2008 while patrolling the Afghan province of Helmand. He was only 20 years old.

Ben was one of two wounded Marines to share a flight back to the UK with Prince Harry.

The royal was forced to return home after the revelation of his secret mission to the front.

    Ben, nicknamed the

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Ben, nicknamed "Harry's Hero", smiles next to Prince Harry at the Millies Awards reception in 2009.

Ben admits that becoming a father was the furthest thing from his mind as he headed for recovery.

It was a long journey – his groin injury necessitated a new operation long after the blast.

He explained: "It was only two years after the explosion that the testicle was removed and a false inserted. I did not worry about a testicle after all I had gone through.

"I was only 20 when I jumped, and at that point I just had to think and I did not know if I was going to have a girlfriend, let alone become a dad.

"I was given the choice of the operation of removing a testicle, but it was said that it could affect the other if I kept it."

"Thinking back, it was a good choice and a wise decision, even if I did not really think about children.

"I've had hundreds of shrapnel wounds all over my body and I still have shrapnel in me, so it was not a problem." so big problem for me. "

When he recovered, Ben met a former clbadmate Zara, a nurse, in a pub at a party in Plymouth.

Ben – who won the Millie Sun Overcoming Adversity Trophy in 2009 – recalled: "We got along well and we just started talking. We knew each other, but we were not near school, and when I got back to Plymouth and was in rehab, I came across some old people.

    Ben cradles his son Albie, about three o'clock, at the family home in Plymouth

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Ben cradles his son Albie, about three o'clock, at the family home in Plymouth

"Zara is icy and fun. We have a normal relationship. It used to be appointment nights, but now it's a box. "

The lovebirds – who have been together for five years – have not planned the pregnancy but were delighted when Zara found out she was expecting.

Ben had never questioned the doctors about his chances of being a parent, nor did the sperm count, nor checked his other testicle.

He said, "We were shocked but extremely happy to always want children and when that happened and Zara got pregnant, it was a surprise. This was not planned.

"The only conversation we had on this subject was a pleasant conversation with her who said," Are you doing well there? "

"I did not know, but I just said," Yes, of course. "

"But there is only one way to find out, is not there – and I proved it worked!"

Such a happy future would never have been imagined by Ben in 2008.

He said, "When I was hurt for the first time, I thought, 'It hurts so much that I'd rather be dead. "

"It was difficult to stay positive because nothing is positive for the arm and the leg.

"I had difficulties and now, it's all worth it. Now I look at Albie and I often think that "life is not so bad". "

    The former Commando lost his right leg, left arm and testicle after trampling a mine in 2008 in the Afghan province of Helmand.

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The former Commando lost his right leg, left arm and testicle after trampling a mine in 2008 in the Afghan province of Helmand.

But becoming a dad has brought new challenges, similar to those he faced in the aftermath of the blast.

He explained, "The birth was great, but to be honest, having a child was scary.

"All those who become parents are nervous but I guess that was no longer the case for me.

"It was like when I was hurt for the first time and I had to find things like getting dressed when I only had one arm. But you adapt to it and solve the problems.

"Now I can change a diaper with one arm. I'm using my leg hock to maintain Albie's legs and now he's a little older, he's helping me too. I've also found a way to put it in the car seat by tying the two ends together. I like to take him to the park, but I know that I will miss some things, like playing football with him and running. "

"YOU NEVER FORGET AND NEVER RECOVER"

Ben has prostheses, including a walking leg and a fake arm, but rarely wears them when he is at home with Zara and Albie. He continued, "It's painful to do two things, like making two cups of tea and making two trips to get them.

"But Zara and Albie help me a lot and Albie has things for me, like her iPad." Although they have no immediate plans to add to the family, Ben and Zara would like to have more children.

The former Navy Commando of the 40 Marine Commando said: "In the future, I think we will have more, but we are not in a hurry and are satisfied with our lives for the moment.

Brave Ben, who in 2009 became the first double amputee to finish the London Marathon, first received compensation of only £ 161,000 for his horrific injuries. It was then raised to £ 275,000.

He invested some of his money in the property, earning money by buying and selling in the vicinity of Plymouth.

But for two years, the hero of the war is plagued by new health problems.
He explained: "I had problems with my strain, which was infected and I was even wheelchair bound for a while.

"It was a case of a step forward, two steps back and I had a lot of problems, so I calmed down these last two years.

"I also suffered mentally – and one morning I could not get up from bed.

"I thought a lot about Afghanistan and flashbacks. You get to the point where you want to jump out the window.

"I went downhill and I stayed alone.

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"Now, I'm looking at Albie and I often think," Life is not that bad, "says Ben

"I had what I suppose to be PTSD and I went to the doctor. I was given antidepressants that I took for a while.

"But I thought, it does not help me, it's just to calm down, not improve it, so I've dealt with the problems myself.

"I'm trying to stay happy and positive, but it's not easy because you never forget to lose your arm and your leg. You never recover completely.

"I'm going to have the 11th anniversary of my explosion soon, but I have Zara and Albie with me, which is great."

Ben now works as a motivational speaker, giving lectures to banks and businesses.

He said, "My story is better now, because there is more than that and it's not just a case of injury and survival. That makes me happy and a few weeks ago I gave a lecture to 4,000 people at the Excel Arena in London. It was annoying!

And Ben has inspiring words for the future father and father, Prince Harry, who nicknamed Ben the "true hero" after they leave home.

Ben said, "I am happy that he is doing well.

"He had a hard time losing his mother and what he saw in Afghanistan: he saw injuries like mine.

"I'm glad he's with Meghan and they expect. He obviously likes it and it is awesome.

"We both went through and saw a lot.

"I'm sure to see him again, congratulate him and wish him the best."

    Ben can change a diaper with one arm - with a little help from Albie

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Ben can change a diaper with one arm – with a little help from Albie
    The couple would like to have more children in the future

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The couple would like to have more children in the future
    Ben works as a motivational speaker and says:

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Ben works as a motivational speaker and says, "My story is now better"
The red carpet 2016: Ben McBean

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