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NADINE LINGE LINDSAY Chapman, 40, had a chat with Harry during the launch and he explained how he believes their efforts spur on others who might be struggling.
“He was very down-to-earth, very real and attentive when he talks to you – he’s a lovely man,” she says. You can see he has his mother in him.
“We were talking about what the Games mean for people watching, whether they are ex-military or civilians who’ve been injured.
“They might be sat on the sofa thinking they can’t do anything but, hopefully, we will inspire them to get out and do something, make them feel better about their lives again.”
The former Army Private, from Wimborne in Dorset, was left paralysed from the chest down after a motorbike accident 10 years ago.
Lindsay is taking on wheelchair racing and indoor rowing in Toronto. She adds: “I missed the camaraderie and friendships you make in the Army – nothing can compare to it. I’m back as part of a family again. We’re all ex-military, we all have an impairment and there’s this natural understanding.” ARRON Dindyal, 34, Steven Boulton, 26, and Ashley Hall, 27, will be teaming up for the wheelchair rugby.
The three former Army lads didn’t know each other before the Games, but Steven jokes: “We tolerate each other.”
Arron, from Sawbridgeworth, Herts – who contracted an illness in Iraq leading to the loss of part of his digestive system and spinal damage – wants to better last year’s bronze medal. He says: “We want to go out and smash a few more people up this year!
“We all get on, have some banter and a laugh.
“Everyone’s injured one way or another, but you just get through it.”
Steven, from Birmingham, was wounded in an IED explosion in 2012. He had to have his left leg amputated below the knee and his right leg reconstructed.
He says: “I can’t wait to get to Toronto. I’m going to train hard, get out there and get some medals.”
Ashley, from Colchester, Essex, is also looking forward to getting stuck into the Games after spending the past six-and-a-half years recovering at Headley Court Defence Rehabilitation Centre. He lost both his legs following an IED explosion in 2010.
Ashley says: “Wheelchair rugby training has helped me feel more confident about myself.”