A Royal Marine who was the most injured serviceman in Afghanistan and hit by 400 pieces of shrapnel was denied access to a DISABLED loo at a sports centre.
Brave Paul Vice, 32, “died” twice following the bomb blast and has been previously been hailed as the most severely hurt hero to survive the war.
He was dubbed ‘the commando who refused to die’ after suffering 100 injuries in an Afghanistan explosion.
Royal Marine Paul in 2008
Paul in hospital after having had his leg amputated
Last year he also had his leg amputated so he could play with his four children and went on to win cycling and archery medals in the Invictus Games.
But the veteran has spoken of his shock after reception staff refused him access to the disabled toilet at Clifton Hill sports centre in his home city of Exeter, Devon.
He said: “I was dying for the toilet, I didn’t think it would be a big deal and as I was waiting for my taxi I went in the sports centre to ask if I could use their toilet.”
The war hero claims he asked the two men behind the reception if he could use the disabled toilet, but was told he would not be allowed.
Paul said: “I know that I wasn’t using their facilities at the sports centre, so I understand where they were coming from.
“But my leg is loose and I am waiting for a new leg so I didn’t want to just go on the street.
“I am shocked by the whole thing, and I didn’t tell them about my leg because they didn’t need to know and it is just none of their business.”
Clifton Hill Sports Centre in Exeter, Devon
In rehabilitation
Cpl Vice was one of six injured during the blast while serving with 42 Commando in 2011.
The father-of-four, who was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery during two previous incidents, received more than 114 wounds to his torso
He miraculously took 400 pieces of shrapnel in his body, suffered a broken neck, a stroke, a damaged left eye, was deafened in one ear, and has an enduring brain injury causing paralysis.
His life was saved when a colleague who had escaped the blast rushed to his aid, and forced his knee into his neck to stop the bleeding.
He had his leg removed last year – so he was able enjoy life with wife Tessa and their children Honey, Frankie, Alfie and Harley.
He said: “This is about my children. I cannot interact with them how I want. I want to be running and playing football with them.
‘As a family, we have all agreed that the best way forward for me is to have the leg amputated.
A spokesman for the sports centre said that they are unable to make a comment but have pledged to look into the incident.
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