Listen again

Nearly 5 years ago, the Giddings family talked to Home Truths about the fateful day in 1998 when they were caught in a bomb blast in South Africa. All the family were injured, and their 8-year-old daughter, Laura lost a leg.

The Giddings family From left, Tony, Jacob, Laura and Mandy

Mandy Giddings and her daughter Laura, now 13, returned to talk to Home Truths about how things have been for them over the last 5 years.

Apart from their injuries, and the terrible sense of isolation the Giddings suffered after the blast, one of the most difficult aspects of their experience has been Laura's leg amputation.

Laura was fitted with an artificial limb which she was encouraged to name. She called it Peggy - which led to the name of the charity Peggy & Friends set up by the Giddings to help parents of children who need an artificial limb. After quite a struggle, Laura has adjusted well to her artificial leg - she's even become Disability Swimming's Junior National Champion.

It would be enough to daunt any family, but the Giddings seem remarkably cheerful. They even have the rare distinction of being turfed out of their psychiatrist's office with the comment that they were the family least in need of counselling.

And on Monday, the anniversary of the blast, they will do what they have done every 25th August since the bomb - they'll be having a party.

Listen to the Giddings' story in full


More information
BBC Home Truths Blast Survivors
Peggy & Friends
Limbless Association
Reach
ASA Disability Swimming
BBC News - Health - Family challenge NHS over artificial limbs
BBC News - Iraqi boys talk of new limbs hope