How hero injured by Afghan bomb found love... with his nurse
‘It was brilliant when she said yes’
IT was a devastating injury that nearly cost a hero soldier his life.
But despite losing both his legs to a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, David Birrell has found love – with a nurse who helped to save his life.
Mary Parkinson was part of a medical team which cared for the Black Watch corporal at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary as he recovered from the blast, which happened in 2010.
Mr Birrell, 32, from Methil, Fife, said he met up with Miss Parkinson again years after he left hospital.
The former soldier said: ‘She was there for me when I first got injured. We were both with other people at that time but we met again in October last year when we were both single and we hit it off. It’s funny to think that she used to look after me and here we’re getting married. We haven’t set a date yet.’
Mr Birrell is now involved in motorsport and became the first amputee racing driver to compete against able-bodied drivers in an unadapted car.
The father-of-three told the Daily Record that Miss Parkinson, 36, of Abbey St Bathans, Berwickshire, had turned his life around.
He said: ‘I have stopped smoking, I am now working.
‘I am over the moon. I was so nervous because you always think there is a chance that she may say no.
‘It was brilliant when she said yes. Mary was one of the nurses who helped me when I was injured. It is totally amazing to think that she will now be my wife.’