Remember the injured soldiers too

Josie McKinney says her son's career is over.

The mother of a British soldier is calling for those injured in action to be remembered, as well as those who die.

Josie McKinney's son Alistair has brain damage after he was shot in Afghanistan in 2006.

She is now his carer at his home at Tern Hill Barracks near Market Drayton.

Mrs McKinney said there were many wounded soldiers whom the public does not know about. "So many amputees, so many lives turned upside down."

'It was a beautiful sunny day'

Sergeant Alistair McKinney was 34 when he was shot in Musa Qala in 2006.

Sgt McKinney's mother, Josie, said the bullet hit him above his right eye and exited above his right ear, destroying part of his brain.

Selly Oak [hospital] is full of wounded soldiers and their families. They've had the knock on the door. Josie McKinney

Sgt McKinney was a master sniper with 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment.

Today he still lives with the regiment at Tern Hill but he relies on a wheelchair.

He's paralysed down his left side, his eyesight has been affected and he has a short term memory problem.

Mrs McKinney, 58, said nothing prepares you for the moment you're told something has happened. "It was a beautiful sunny day and I was making lunch.

"A man came to the door with a clipboard and he said 'are you the mother of Sergeant Alistair McKinney?' I was in total shock and disbelief."

'Alistair's career is over'

Sergeant McKinney was a master sniper.

Since 2001, a total of 185 UK service personnel have died in Afghanistan.

According to Mrs McKinney for every soldier who dies, many more are injured. "I'm shocked at the number of soldiers who've died and I share their families' grief.

"But there are also a lot of soldiers who are wounded - so many families, so many amputees, so many lives turned upside down... Alistair's career is over."

"There are so many wounded that the public don't know about. Selly Oak [hospital] is full of wounded soldiers and their families. They've had the knock on the door." Mrs McKinney said.

"When you see someone in military uniform approaching your front door you know what they're coming to tell you. You just hope it's not the worst news."

'Army barmy'

According to Mrs McKinney her son had wanted to be a soldier since he was three.

He joined the army cadets when he was 13, he then joined the army air corp at 16.

Before he was injured he enjoyed dancing and extreme sports.

He's not a burden. He's my son. I don't see it as a sacrifice. Josie McKinney

"He was a guy who'd take his family snowboarding at Aviemore and they'd have a great time - he's lost everything," said Mrs McKinney.

"Now he's quieter, he's still got a great sense of humour but because part of his brain is missing he doesn't initiate conversation."

Sgt McKinney, 37, has an nine-year-old son, Owen, and has divorced since his injuries.

Mrs McKinney has just celebrated her 39th wedding anniversary, but couldn't be with her husband as he works full time in Scotland.

Asked about her commitment to looking after her son she said: "He's not a burden. He's my son. I don't see it as a sacrifice."

Once Alistair has completed his rehabilitation, Mrs McKinney hopes they can both rejoin her husband in Scotland.