ENS is regularly involved with elite sportsmen and women but this week we thought we would check on the paralympic side of elite sport and we stumbled across something wholly inspiring.
‘Battle Back’, an initiative supported by Help for Heroes, was set up as the rehabilitation centre for wounded service personnel at Headley Court in Surrey in 2008. Battle Back is a Tri-Service initiative which aims to improve and formalise the use of adventure and in the aftercare of wounded service personnel in order to aid their rehabilitation and return to an active life.
Sport and outdoor activities have a proven track record in aiding successful physical and psychological rehabilitation, providing the foundation for the development of a positive self-image and outlook on life.
Injured soldiers are encouraged to use the facilities of Battle Back which introduces them to a range of sporting activities including athletics, golf, wheelchair rugby and sailing.
When first faced with the reality of a disability, many individuals experience a loss of confidence, depression, and believe that their active lives have ended. The sudden, traumatic change in physical ability makes them vulnerable to psychological and emotional stress which can alienate them from their friends and family.
A high percentage of injured are, having been so physically fit, highly motivated to get back to a normal active life and they see participation in sport as part of normalization. Having been involved in high intensity conflict the need to express themselves and to prove to themselves that they are still fit active young men and women is a very high priority.
The scheme has already proved very successful; two former patients, Mike Brennan and Peter Dunning, are now in the GB ski team having both of them lost both legs in combat.
Jon-Allan Butterworth recently (ex RAF) won the 1km time trial at the National Paracycling Championships and also set a World Record of 11.1 seconds in the 200m event whilst Pamela Grainger (RAF) also won a silver medal at the inaugural IPC shooting World Cup this year.
The resolve and drive to succeed in the face of extreme difficulties of these men and women really is inspiring.
For more information on the Battle Back scheme, please visit http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/battleback.html
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