Royal Navy veteran Dan shares how RBL is supporting his recovery through adaptive sport after his military career was ended by chronic illness.
Dan served in the Royal Navy for 24 years as a weapons engineer and was involved in conflicts such as Sierra Leone, the Gulf War, and piracy operations in the Indian Ocean.
He was always extremely active with a passion for sport, but everything changed for him when he suffered an ankle injury.
Life in the Royal Navy
During his time in the navy, Dan served on many ships including HMS Illustrious, HMS Ark Royal, and Type 42 Destroyers.
At just 17 years old, he faced his first deployment.
"We were meant to be on our way back to England, but our ship vanished for a couple of weeks as we diverted to the Sierra Leone conflict. We did some aid work for the locals, as well as being involved in flybys as we were a landing craft.”
One of Dan's most memorable experiences during his service was working on piracy operations in the Indian Ocean.
"I was part of the boarding crew, going out and boarding vessels, capturing pirates. We would create a makeshift prison on-board, then our roles would almost change into prison officers, trying to get information out of the pirates."
Dan was incredibly active during his time in the Navy, spending 15 years with the Navy Marines Muay Thai Association and developing a passion for running Ultramarathons.
However, he'd noticed various issues with his mobility and health.
“I’d noticed certain things happening to my body and I was having issues with my hands. I had a few operations but the doctors weren’t sure what it was.”
Dan's Health Battle
“I was walking down the road and I tripped down a curb, breaking the ligaments in my ankle. From that point, my ankle, knees, hip and other ankle flared up, and no one knew what was wrong with me.”
After his injury sidelined his passion for exercise, Dan fell into depression, and he faced stigma for appearing to dodge deployments. He also started experiencing PTSD from things he’d seen during his service.
“Physically and mentally, I was completely finished.”
Eventually he was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis, a chronic form of Arthritis where the immune system attacks itself. Dan has now had to adapt to a life where even the smallest injury takes months to heal.
Selection for Team UK
RBL have supported Dan’s recovery by enabling him to take part in a range of adaptive sports.
He's now been selected to be part of Team UK for the Invictus Games 2025, and we'll be supporting him and his family every step of the way.
"Going to the training camps and through the Battle Back course has allowed me to meet other people who are in similar situations to me."
For Dan, it's not just about the Games, it's about the training, the journey, and how reuniting with the ‘Forces family’ has improved his mental health and sense of belonging.
With the support of RBL, Dan has found a passion for rowing, which has given him a whole new perspective on sport.
"It’s a no impact sport so it’s great for me. Physically, rowing has given me a whole new view on sport and how to accept what I can and can’t do.”
Being part of Team UK has already helped in so many ways.
“It almost feels like being deployed with your Forces family again – being able to work together and support them. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
We’re excited to support Dan, along with his wife and three daughters, as he takes on rowing, basketball, biathlon, and skeleton at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.
