Warrior Games challenge for Laura
Former army captain prepares for US competition
An east Perthshire veteran is taking part in the 2017 US Warrior Games this week.
Laura Fermore is competing in both the athletics and swimming competitions at the Warrior Games in Chicago, Illinois, which run until Saturday, July 8. The games aim to empower ex-service men and women who have sustained injuries or illness.
Ms Fermore (33), from Spittalfield, who was a captain in the army, was medically discharged from the Royal Logistics Corps in October 2013 after sustaining lifechanging injuries to her hip in 2008, leaving her needing bilateral hip replacements. Laura still struggles from secondary injuries in her knees, which she has also had surgery on.
Laura is competing in a number of events for the British team at the games, including the 100m, 200m, shot putt, 200m swim, and rifle and recumbent bike events. She is part of a 40-strong team from the UK.
Speaking ahead of the games, Laura said: “My orthopaedic surgeon has helped massively with my recovery in terms of surgical intervention, but also gave me the confidence to get back into sport again, and has given me a new focus in a sport that I can do with my injuries.
“He encouraged me to set achievable goals, and made me believe in my own ability again.”
Laura has been preparing at the Invictus Games training camps, and hopes this will set her up well for the Warrior Games.
She continued: “The Warrior Games are an amazing opportunity for me, as this time last year I would not have been in physical or mental fitness to compete, and shows just how far I have come since beginning training in January.
“To be representing GB at all is something I didn’t think was remotely possible.
“My husband, family and friends have all been really supportive and it is nice for them to see me in a better place than I have been for a long time.”
Laura will be competing against teams from the USA’s army, marine corps, navy, air force, coast guard and special operations command, as well as the Australian Defence Force and other veterans from the UK Armed Forces.