Karl Shearsby was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis after an unseen painful injury during his 14 years serving in the New Zealand HQ Joint Forces. Now Karl hopes to compete for Gold in a wide range of team sports during the Games, as well as: Archery, Athletics, Indoor Rowing, and Swimming.

Malkhaz Shekelashvili was wounded during the 2008 August War, whilst fulfilling his duties in the Kodori Gorge (North West Georgia). He was injured in an explosion, causing him the loss of a limb, but is looking forward to setting new challenges for himself at the Games in the Archery and Sitting Volleyball.

On 16th September 1993 David Sherriff was involved in a motorcycle accident, whilst serving in the Royal Air Force. This left Dave with a severe spinal chord injury that left him paraplegic. Since then Dave has become the Directorate of Continued Airworthiness Management, and will be taking part in both Wheelchair sports, as well as the Athletics and Swimming during the Games.

Maurillia Simpson injured her left leg during service and has since competed in a various sport competitions. In 2012 she particpated in the Warrior Games in the Archery, Track and Field. In 2013 Simpson took part in the Sitting Volleyball at the Warrior Games, and this year will be competing in the Athletics during the Invictus Games.

Richard Anthony Skinner suffered an injured limb and fractured discs. Fighting back against his injury, Skinner has taken up Archery and is proud to be representing the British Armed Forces in the sport.

SSG Smith joined the Army Reserves in 2002, and then transferred onto active duty in 2004. In 2007, SSG Smith volunteered for the Special Operations Command Psychological Operations Course and is currently assigned to the 6th PSYOP BN (Airborne). He has been deployed to Afghanistan three times and worked with 1st and 3rd Special Forces Groups, conducting village stability operations. SSG Smith suffered a TBI and a back injury during a combat mission. He will be competing in Swimming, Indoor Rowing, Cycling and Athletics.

Sapper Clive Smith was injured in an Improvised Explosive Device incident whilst serving in Afghanistan during 2010. This resulted in the loss of both of his legs. As part of his recovery Smith started hand cycling and has since taken part in several charity bike rides including a 350 cyle across northern France for Help for Heroes. He will be competing in this sport during the Games

Aaron Soppet was diagnosed with a Brain tumour whilst serving in the New Zealand Armed forces. This has left him issues with his vision and balance. Soppet is looking forward to representing his country in the Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby and Archery during the Invictus Games.

Sgt. Southall was a civilian trainer in 2005 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center when she took five soldiers to San Diego to participate in a paralympic camp—her first experience with adaptive sports. Upon returning to Walter Reed, Southall began a Sitting Volleyball program for wounded, ill and injured soldiers recovering there. A few years later, Southall deployed and became injured herself. She had seen the power of adaptive reconditioning activities in the Soldiers she worked with before her deployment. “Adaptive sports are helping me to keep going, keeping me active,” Southall says. “It is an honor and a privilege to represent the United States,” she said of the Invictus Games. Southall will be competing in Athletics, Powerlifting and Sitting Volleyball.

In 2001 Ben Steele joined the RAF Regiment, guarding and protecting airfields including everything on them. In May 2009 he was transferred to the Military Provost Guard Service, a tri service unit responsible for the security of military sites within the UK. It was here, that Steele was involved in a motorcycle collision involving another motorcyclist; he was hit by an oncoming motorcycle seconds after he had lost control of his own motorcycle on a bend. This resulted in Steele losing his left leg through to the knee. Since the accident, he has progressed massively, not allowing his injury to take control of his life. Steel has taken part in many activities and sports including skiing and climbing, and will be representing the British Armed Forces team in Wheelchair Rugby.

Kimberley Sterling was seriously injured with nerve damage during her service with the Army. Since then, she has been through the rehibiliation process, which led her to discover the power of sport during recovery. She will be competiting in the Jaguar Landrover Driving Challenge and Swimming.

For Sgt. Stewart, adaptive reconditioning activities like sports are life changing. “It gives me something positive to focus on, and teaches me things I can do, instead of all the things I can’t,” she said. Sgt. Stewart discovered the power of sports as she recovered at the Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB), Kansas. While participating in athletic activities at the WTB proved beneficial to her recovery, Sgt. Stewart also demonstrated natural talent. After proving her abilities at the 2014 U.S. Army Warrior Trials in June, she moves on to compete in Swimming, Cycling, Rowing and Wheelchair Rugby in this year’s Invictus Games.“It is a great honor to represent the country I love so much,” said Sgt. Stewart. “It was a childhood dream of mine to go to the Olympics. Now being able to participate for the honor of my country is a dream come true. “