A former British Army soldier given a decade to live says Christmas has taken on a much deeper meaning – and he remains hopeful after his latest scan was positive.
Ben Robinson served as an engineer for five years until he was medically discharged.
The 31-year-old, from Worcester, experienced years of seizures – up to five a day – and was misdiagnosed with epilepsy and cortical dysplasia before doctors finally discovered the real cause.
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Ben was left shocked when medical professionals eventually found an anaplastic glioma, now referred to as an astrocytoma, and said he had “around 10 years to live”.
“This is my fifth Christmas since being diagnosed and every Christmas feels more precious,” said Ben.
“Doctors told me I had around 10 years to live but because no one knows how long my tumour had already been growing for, I really don’t know how long that will be.
“Brain tumours change everything.
“People look at you and think you’re the same, but the effects are invisible, they affect how you think, how you move, and how you experience life.”
Ben undergoes routine MRI scans every six months to monitor his tumour.
His most recent scan, carried out in October, showed no sign of recurrence, giving the ex-soldier renewed hope as he continues to navigate life after surgery and treatment.
He said: “Mindset is everything.
“To get through a brain tumour diagnosis, you have to stay positive.
“Don’t hide from it, the sooner you face and accept your diagnosis the quicker you can move forward.
Ben showing surgery scars. (Jam Press/Brain Tumour Research)
“Don’t stand still because you will go backwards.
“Regardless if your problem is big or small remain positive.
“I have been through it and I want to share my story to help others.”
Ben was first diagnosed in 2020 and underwent an emergency awake craniotomy at Southmead Hospital in Bristol in December that same year, followed by radiotherapy and a full year of chemotherapy.
The surgery lasted 10 hours and although it saved his life, it left him with lifelong impacts affecting his mobility, speech, memory and independence.
Ben can no longer drive, work, or carry out strenuous activity because of ongoing seizures and fatigue, as reported by Need To Know.
He devotes his time to helping others touched by brain tumours and is supporting Brain Tumour Research’s Christmas Appeal to raise crucial funds and awareness for the charity.
The former soldier-turned-DJ wishes for “better treatments, hope for more options, and hope for a cure”.
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