As a charity, we are always in need of extra support for the work of the centre and the development of the skills of our members.
The centre and its members are truly grateful for every contribution, however small.
Six years ago, Rob McCartney lost the will to live after having both legs amputated to combat a rare and destructive disease.
Today, he is back home in Gorleston after a week’s scuba diving in the Red Sea off Egypt and the world seems a better place.
“It’s like the impossible dream,” said 55-year-old Rob. “But it came true and it was an amazing experience. I so wanted to see all those coloured fish and swim with the dolphins and turtles.
“Giving my consent to surgery for the amputations was the biggest decision of my life. Afterwards I just did not want to live. For ages my only exercise was using the remote control on the telly.
“My wife Alison looked after me and it was only her and the family who kept me together and gave me the strength to continue.”
Rob’s problems started when he found unusual sores on his feet and felt unusually lethargic. The disease spread but it was some time before he was diagnosed with Pyoderma gangrenosum and even longer before it was attributed to a circulation disorder.
His left leg was amputated just below the knee in July 2005, the right leg six months later. Between times he managed to get around using a prosthetic leg but since then has not found suitable artificial limbs.
The lowest point came when his weight soared to 26st and he realised he could not even dry himself after a shower. But it was also a turning point.
Spurred by his family, he lost 7st in just over a year through the Cambridge Diet, and joined Centre 81 in Great Yarmouth.
“Their motto is ability not disability,” said Rob. “And that was true. They were not interested in what I couldn’t do but in what I wanted to do. I chose two impossible dreams – either scuba diving or a parachute jump.”
By co-incidence, a speaker from Blesma (British Limbless Ex Service Men's Association) visited Centre 81 and said scuba diving was among their activities. Rob had spent time in the Royal Anglian Regiment but later worked at the Fyffe Centre, Lowestoft, for 11 years as a project worker for the homeless.
Ultimately, he agreed to put his name forward for the scuba diving and was one of 22 people chosen for a one-to-one intensive weekend course in a swimming
