A WOUNDED veteran credits a Colchester recovery centre with helping him rise from his “lowest point” to sporting glory.

David Rose, 48, served with pride as an aircraft engineer with the RAF from 1986.

But in 2009 he suffered nerve damage to his right arm, shoulder and hand due to a cycling accident.

He needed extensive surgery also suffered damage to his knee.

David needs strong medication to deal with constant pain, has limited function with his fingers and must drive a specially-adapted vehicle.

It was thanks to the support of Chavasse VC House, a Help for Heroes recovery centre, that the determined veteran began to realise sport is still a valuable option on his road to recovery.

“I was always into sport and outdoor activities but with injury I thought this was over; this took me to a very bad place,” he said.

“Being shown and encouraged that I can still do sport has been a life changer.

“I always feel good when active, it focusses my mind on the moment with the benefits to my mental and physical health clearly altered for the positive; I sleep better, work better and have become ‘half full’ rather than ‘half empty’.”

David, who lives in Norfolk, took part in the 2018 Warrior Games, competing alongside 265 veterans from the United States, Canadian, Australian and UK Armed Forces.

The UK Team took part in nine adaptive sports, including athletics, archery, cycling, indoor rowing, swimming and wheelchair basketball.

David brought home a silver medal in the 50 metre breaststroke 5.5 classification, bronze in the relay team mixed classification, bronze in recumbent cycling road race and bronze in recumbent cycling time trails.

He said: “I feel incredibly privileged and honoured to be able to compete under the flag of the UK alongside so many inspirational people.

“It is an important marker in my recovery when I consider how I was physically and mentally 12 months ago.

“A lot of people and organizations have invested time and money in me when I was at my lowest; this is one way to say thanks for their belief.

“My wife and I will be walking up Ben Nevis with Help for Heroes later this year at night and catching the rising sun.

“I’ve been very well supported by the team at Colchester Recovery Centre who have been instrumental in my recovery to date”.

Steve Schollar, Head of Recovery East at Chavasse House, said: “We know how important sport is as part of an individual’s recovery.

“Not only does it help physically but sport empowers veterans and provides huge psychological benefits too; including improving self-confidence and self-esteem.”

The Warrior Games was held from June 1 until June 9 in Colorado Springs.