Being on the level is an essential part of being a Freemason, but for former soldier Adam Douglas of Pilgrim Lodge no. 7728 in Leeds, it has extra significance. He has been in a wheelchair since being wounded while serving with the Yorkshire Cavalry Regiment, the Royal Dragoon Guards in Iraq in 2003.
The former corporal had been Initiated into the Lodge Neuhaus no. 946 in the Grand Lodge of British Forces Serving in Germany, and once he had left he joined Pilgrim Lodge in his native Leeds. Adam is also a member of Saint Patrick’s Lodge no. 295 on the Roll of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and this Lodge is warranted to the Royal Dragoon Guards.
Adam explains,
‘I was asked to advise when another wheelchair user, Kai Stephenson, had expressed interest in becoming a Freemason. Originally, he looked at Lodges in Castle Grove in Leeds, but the number of stairs was proving problematic. That’s when I had my lightbulb moment and realised that my own Lodge met at the North Leeds Masonic Centre, and everything was on one level in that building. It was the ideal solution.’
Kai became a candidate for Pilgrim Lodge and Adam played the key role in Kai’s Initiation.
Adam says,
‘Our Worshipful Master David Hooks was not able to be present for Kai’s Initiation so I asked the Immediate Past Master Peter Goodland if I could undertake the role. It was an amazing and emotional moment for me as a wheelchair user to initiate another wheelchair user into the Craft. Hopefully this development at Pilgrim Lodge will encourage other Lodges to give similarly disabled men the opportunity to join Freemasonry. Kai is now settling into life as an enthusiastic member of Pilgrim Lodge and is looking forward to taking his place on the ladder as soon as an opportunity arises.
