Op gives Ben new lease of life

He was told by doctors he had just a month to live when he was taken into Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital three weeks ago.

He had spent just four months on the waiting list for a donor match.

Today he is back at home in Meole Brace with his wife Ayla Louch, 19, whom he married last month, and on the road to recovery following the successful 12-hour operation.

"It is so great being back at home - it is certainly better than hospital," he said. "I have got some freedom again and I am much more mobile than I was before when I was confined to a wheelchair.

"I have noticed the change already. I can walk to the shops now, which I did yesterday. It's a strange feeling.

"I am going to be going back to Birmingham weekly and to the cardio-vascular suite at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to try to get myself back to health. I just can't be in crowded places because I have no immune system so I can't risk infection or the organs being rejected.

"It has been a scary time. Now I have been told to go for walks whenever I can. I just have to be more aware and rest when I get back. I should be able to work again in three months and hopefully I could even be playing football and tennis again within six months.

He added: "It will be the first time that Ayla will know me well because I was ill when we met. She is not quite sure how to take it all the moment but is doing well."

Ben, who used to work at Virgin Megastore in Shrewsbury, admitted he was incredibly lucky to have had the operation. He said only three people had the same double transplant in the UK last year and 37 worldwide.

"I want to thank the family who have given me this chance," he said.

By Steve Todd