He lost his legs. He died twice. Now he’s ready to walk. Sgt Rick Clement’s incredible journey

Rick Clement is an incredible man. While serving in Afghanistan he was cut in half by an IED. He lost everything below the waist and died twice as docs fought to save him. Last year we featured his portrait (in a photo taken by Bryan Adams) as the cover for our Remembrance Sunday edition. In May that cover was named PPA British magazine cover of the year. We’ve followed Rick since last year as he, against all odds, has worked to walk again. The prosthetics built for him are astounding. He’s aiming to use them to walk during Remembrance Sunday commemorations to remember his fallen comrades. Follow the story here.

We also hear from Steve Woody, another veteran who struggled to adjust on his return home. He spiralled down, ending up homeless and with a crippling gambling addiction. This is the story of how he worked himself back and is now an author with a book that is bothering Alan Sugar on the business book bestseller lists.

This week John Bird looks to tax credits and the realities of the cuts. Separate this from talk about welfare budgets, he says. It’s not welfare. If the government really wants to remove the work subsidy that tax credits provide, then they need to find a way to get the working wage up quicker. And that may involve borrowing.

Our featured vendor is Paul Squires who sells in central Plymouth. He was laid off from work, split from his wife and ended up with nothing living in a tent. The way back is taken with small steps, he says. He has a dog named Eric, after Eric Cantona. A wise man of great taste, evidently.

Our Letter To My Younger Self is with ever-green, ever-popular radio host Simon Mayo. A peripatetic childhood left him feeling awkward and an outsider. Radio provided a welcome home – leading to the much loved partnership with Mark Kermode.

We also carry a terrific piece by celebrated biographer Adam Sisman. He details the herculean task of trying to write about the life of the great John le Carré.

Incidentally, if you’re missing your Big Issue cat fix, actress Eleanor Matsuura discusses how to foster cats. Really. Brendan O’Neill, meanwhile, returns with a blistering piece in support of meat eating, in this week of meat warning.