‘I would not be here today without sport’
An Army veteran has said being selected for the Invictus Games has allowed her to rediscover herself and her "cando attitude".
Denise Kidger, 51, of Seaham Harbour, is to take part in various events at the multinational Invictus Games for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.
It is her first time competing in the games which this year are being held in The Hague, the Netherlands, starting today and running until April 22.
Denise served in the forces for over 22 years with the Women's Royal Army Corps and Adjutant General's Corps (SPS), serving in overseas posts including Germany and the Falkland Islands.
She was medically discharged in March 2014, due to injuries to her neck, back, hands, shoulder and left knee, mixed anxiety and depressive disorder.
When her service ended she "did not just lose a job. I lost a lifestyle and family" and the pride she had serving her country, she said.
But she said adaptive sport "shows you a way that you can still do things”, adding: "Without sports recovery, I wouldn't be here today."
Denise said: "I am starting to feel pride again, being able to wear the Union Jack and represent my country again.
"I haven't just rediscovered myself and my can-do attitude, but I've also found friends.
"When you get that and your shoulder, your neck, your back, your hands are all injured, you stop and think – I am doing it."
She will take part in a number of events at the Invictus Games, including cycling in the time tri al scri teri um, indoor rowing, the 100 mon the track, discus, the one-armed 50m freestyle, one-armed backstroke and 50m relay in the swimming category.
Denise added: "I get so much excitement from actually doing the training and seeing my fitness, my health, my mental and physical health, improve.
"It's so fun being part of something, being included, having a laugh again and learning, and the coaches are absolutely phenomenal ."
Denise said she was grateful to be employed by armed forces charity Finchale Group, based in Durham, and Kier Group North East Construction, who have bought her items including a Dryrobe, swimming goggles, cycling glasses and trainers, showing her that she "was not alone".