Episode 108: War Took His Sight — Not His Future | Simon Brown

Join host Andrew Dunn (or Frankie Dunn if this is for Frankie’s Pod) as he sits down with Simon Brown, a British Army veteran whose life changed forever during the Iraq War. What began as a promising military career became a fight for survival, resilience, and ultimately, transformation.Simon enlisted in the Army at 18, following in his father’s footsteps and joining the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, where he served in Germany, Kosovo, Poland, Canada, and on two tours of Iraq. On his second tour in Basra in 2006, while leading a successful mission to rescue six stranded comrades, Simon was shot in the face by a sniper. The injury was catastrophic — his cheekbones and jaw shattered and both eyes hit. He lost all sight in his left eye and has only around 20% vision in his right, meaning he is effectively blind. Waking up 17 days later in a Birmingham hospital, Simon faced the devastating news that his military career was over and his future uncertain. Soon after, he discovered Blind Veterans UK, the national charity supporting ex-service people with sight loss. Through rehabilitation, training, and peer support, Simon rebuilt his confidence and independence — relearning skills many of us take for granted like using email or cooking for himself. But Simon’s story didn’t stop there. Driven by purpose and community, he became deeply involved with veteran support work. He went on to coach and play Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) with the Leeds Rhinos, became a Communications and Engagement Officer, raising awareness of support for blind veterans, and used his own experience to help others navigate life after service. In a remarkable turn, Simon went into public service — being elected Leeds City Councillor for Morley North and later appointed Mayor of Morley. In his mayoral year, he chose to champion Blind Veterans UK and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation as his supported charities, bringing his story full circle from soldier to community leader. This episode is more than a war story — it’s a testament to resilience, community support, humour, and the relentless pursuit of purpose even after life-changing loss