A disabled Armed Forces’ veteran from Newton Aycliffe is on the track to success, after receiving much needed support from Finchale. John McGlade, 49, has been asked to try out for the British Paralympic Team for the 2020 Olympics after taking part in the York Saturday Circuit races in March 2016 and coming second in his category (Paracycling group MC3/ MC2/MC1). He is currently clocking up the road miles in training and will be taking part in the Royal British Legion Northern Ride on Saturday 11th June 2016, raising money for Royal British Legion and Phoenix House (Rehabilitation centre at Catterick Garrison). But that’s not all – John is also well on his way to finding employment as a bookkeeper, thanks to the support he has received from Finchale over the last year. John’s life turned upside down when he suffered a spinal cord injury in 2005, leaving him debilitated and registered disabled. Further health conditions then prevented him from gaining employment leaving him long-term unemployed. For a decade, John searched for a purpose. His health conditions and loss of confidence prevented him from making a fresh start and finding employment in Civvy Street. Eventually, with funding from ABF The Soldiers Charity, John turned to Finchale for support in March 2015. John said: “Employers were overlooking me because of my health and the number of years I have been unemployed. My own lack of confidence has also really hindered my job search. “I felt I was in a vicious circle and I was only able to start to break out when Finchale showed faith in me. I still have a long way to go to get to where I want to be – but I know I’ll get there.” His long-term partner Trish Taylor said: “It’s been really, really hard, and there have been times where I have really struggled to help him. However, since being referred to Finchale, things have changed. “He has gained focus and the man that I fell in love with is back. Since having his pace-maker and defibrillator fitted last year his health has improved so much that he has even been able to get back into cycling, a long term passion of his.” John continued: “I’m finally starting to feel comfortable in my own skin again, much more like the old me. I’m more determined than ever and I’m finally getting all areas of my life on track. It’s making a huge difference to my whole family. Even Trish and the kids have stopped nagging me!” John’s Veterans’ Support Care Worker at Finchale, Mark Thirlwell, said: “John has become a lot more confident and knowledgeable over the past months. He has recently completed a maths course locally and is now going on to do a higher level course with a view to gaining employment as a bookkeeper. He loves to achieve good results and really takes pride in the work that he does.” John’s transition to paracycling hasn’t been straight forward. At first, he had to use stabilisers in the first instance as he didn’t have the balance. With sheer determination he went down to using just one stabiliser wheel and then in February was successfully able to lose the stabilisers all together. John is still in a considerable amount of pain still when walking, but this eases a little when cycling. Finchale, based in Pity Me in County Durham, was founded in 1943 as a rehabilitation and resettlement centre for service personnel returning from active service, and it has retained strong links with the Armed Forces ever since. The independent registered charity has supported disabled people and those with health inequalities for 73 years by offering specialist support for people with multiple and complex barriers to employment. It works with individuals and families from the Scottish Borders in the north to the East Riding of Yorkshire in the south, and across from Teesside to Cumbria. Finchale works with a wide range of employers and partners of all sizes from across the public, private and third sectors. To find out more about Finchale, its services and find out how the organisation can help you, please visit www. finchale.org To find out more about the Royal British Legion Northern Ride, please visit https://www. britishcycling.org.uk/events/ details/141451/Royal-BritishLegion-Northern-Ride