Laura to represent GB in Warrior Games

A FORMER Tayside Army captain has been chosen to represent Team GB after enduring nine years of surgical hell.

Laura Fermor, 34, served in the Royal Logistic Corps for seven years, before being medically retired in 2013 after suffering life-changing injuries in 2008.

The former Carnoustie High School pupil suffered from depression as her health struggles took their toll but she eventually won a five-figure payout after a long-running battle.

Laura has been selected to represent Team GB at this year’s Warrior Games, which will be held in Chicago at the end of June.

She said: “The past nine years have been a surgical marathon from hell, with drastic action in the form of bilateral hip replacements being necessary by the time I was 30.

“After my hip replacement surgeries, I had hoped to return to an almost normal life pattern, only for that to be pushed further out of reach as it became apparent that my knees required surgical attention too.

“The added strain on them during the years of my hip injuries has caused quite severe cartilage damage, for which I have already had three surgical procedures.”

Laura, who was born in Dundee and attended Monikie Primary School, now lives in Spittalfield, Perthshire, with her husband Kevin.

The St Andrews University graduate sustained her injury while taking part in a fundraising march along Hadrian’s Wall.

She said: “My surgeon advised me to set some achievable goals to aim for, and I decided to get back into the swimming pool to train.”

The Warrior Games is a US military, inter-service, multi-sports competition led by the US Department of Defence.

Laura will be competing in swimming, seated shot putt, rifle shooting, recumbent cycling and 100m and 200m wheelchair racing.