James Nightingale suffered a gun shot to the jaw in 2009. His recovery process has lasted 4 years, involving reconstruction and skin graph surgery to the face. Sport has helped his recovery process and in August Nightingale was selected to represent the British Armed Forces in Cycling.

Adam Nixon got into Wheelchair Basketball over a year ago after his Wife and Sister encouraged him to get out of the house and enjoy life again. He was injured in an explosion, which resulted in him losing his left leg and badly damaging his right – ultimately leaving him wheelchair bound. Nixon has always been mad about sport. Wheelchair Basketball gave him further ‘zest for life’, he currently works as a Level 2 Coach for the University of Worcester, coaching and playing with students. In addition, he is the Chairman of a local level club involved in the running of WBB games and has recently completed the last season on a positive.

Declan O’Halloran was injured during service and now suffers from nerve damage. Through taking up Archery, he has been fighting back against his injury.

Staff Sergeant Jonathan Olds was injured whilst serving in the US Air Force. He was wounded with a gunshot to the abdomen and suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury. He is a holder of a Bronze Star. Whilst at the games he will be competing in Rowing, Sitting Volleyball and Powerlifting.

Lieutenant Colonel Dan Oosterhous, is currently the head coach of the United States Air Force Academy’s Male Tennis team. In 2013 he suffered two strokes, which has had an impact on his day to day life. Dan will be competing in Swimming and Cycling.

Jan Overgaard suffers from PTSD, the power of sport has been an effective tool to help him recover.

Gianfranco Paglia has had a long and decorated military career; he has served as an officer of the Paratroopers, an advisor to the Minister of Defense, and recieved a Gold Medal of Military Valor for the fighting of July 2, 1993 at the checkpoint Pasta in Mogadishu (Somalia) where he reported a spinal cord injury. As the Captain of the Italian Team he will be competing in Swimming, Rowing, Powerlifting, and will be part of the Wheelchair Rugby Team.

A senior retired Airman, Scott Palomino was injured whilst on tour in Iraq. He susbsequently had his left leg amputated just below the knee. He has also been diagnosed with PTSD. He will be competing in Track Running, Wheelchair Basketball and Sitting Volleyball

Jakob Panton-Kristiansen was injured during a gun fight. He was shot through the right arm and shoulder, through the left thigh and calf. Furthermore, he also suffered from a fragment wound to the chest and blast injury to the head. A former boxer prior to injury, Panton-Kristiansen has always been an active sportsman. He has said “..the Invictus Games shows me, that we are not forgotten”. He will be representing Denmark in Indoor Rowing and Sitting Volleyball.

Dwayne Parker served in the 192 Fighter Wing, part of the Virginia Air National Guard. In 2009 Dwayne became visually impaired, today Dwayne is enjoying his sport. He commented that it is a “privilege and an honour to be part of the Invictus Team”. He will be competing in Athletics and Archery.

Brett Parks joined the Navy to be a flight engineer. Whilst training in Jacksonville Florida, Brett came to the aid of a man who was being robbed, however, the robber shot Brett in his abdomen. The bullet shredded his kidney, which severely damaged a third of his colon, and severed a major artery disrupting blood flow in the right leg. Due to the complications from the wound, Brett’s lower leg had to be amputated. Brett has written a book and established an organisation called Second Shot Ministry. He is now a motivational speaker travelling the United States. He will be competing in Archery, Athletics, Sitting Volleyball and Swimming.

Danielle Parry joined the Army Reserves in 1994, and was then transferred to the Regular Army in 1997. She was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in 2005 and 2006, in which she received a soldier’s medallion. Parry has since been medically discharged due to multiple injuries sustained. She has said; “Being Involved in the Invictus Games means so much to me, it has given me the strength to push through the good and bad days and have the determination to continue.” Parry will be competing in Swimming and Cycling during the Games.