Double amputee ex-soldier Tom Burns turned to SSAFA when he was struggling to get Highland Council to fund adaptations to his home.
A special shower was installed at his home in Culloden over the last few weeks, but only after a long battle.
Mr Burns, who lost both his legs due to a medical issue within the space of two years, said he is “very pleased” with the new facilities but remains angry that he was asked to leave his home – which he bought from the local authority 20 years ago – and move to rented accommodation.
And he says he has faced problems from the minute he left the Army after more than 22 years’ service – and believes his case is common.
“As soon as someone signs on the dotted line, you are a nothing,” the 65-year-old said of the discharge process.
Immediately he found himself being sued by the MoD to get out of his forces accommodation, he said – even though he struggled to get a council home and his property stood empty for another three years.
It took the intervention of his then MP to get him housed.
Mr Burns joined the Army in 1969 and left in 1991 before moving to Culloden, where he worked for nine years as a bin man for the council.
He did 11 tours in Northern Ireland during his service with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, as well as postings to Germany, Kenya, Belize and the US.
He said he heard similar tales of difficulties whenever he attends the annual regimental reunion and pleaded for more help for soldiers from the authorities when they first leave the forces.
“It’s scandalous. They have got nothing really,” he said.
“The housing situation is atrocious. It’s not my fault that I ended up where I am.”
