Sherry McBain

RAF Squadron Leader Sherry McBain has endured four abdominal surgeries and one carpal tunnel operation over the last four years, as well as battling PTSD.

She hit rock bottom in October 2018 and would frequently suffer from flashbacks, nightmares, intrusions and body memories.

Competing at the Invictus Games has been a vital next step in her recovery process; it has afforded Sherry the opportunity to develop her sense of self-respect and regain focus.

As a nursing officer in the RAF, Sherry kept exceptionally busy throughout the pandemic. She is a member of an archery and sitting volleyball club and trained when COVID restrictions allowed describing how her Invictus training aided recovery from her fourth major abdominal surgery.

In the last two years, Sherry has carried out a secondment into NHS England in the fight against COVID and become a Florence Nightingale Foundation Aspiring Nurse Director Scholar as well as the Officer Commanding the RAF Hospital Staging Unit whilst managing her day job of Deputy Officer Commanding Nursing at Joint Hospital Group South.

“Having withdrawn from everything I loved as a consequence of PTSD, I want to challenge myself both physically and mentally to compete at international level. To compete at such a prestigious event, representing my Country, Service and Branch would be a dream come true and a unique lifetime experience.

"I would like my family and friends to be proud of me, to know I have done everything in my power to recover and survive PTSD; no longer allowing it to rule my life.”

During the Invictus Games, Sherry and the team were filmed for the Netflix documentary 'Heart of Invictus'. You can watch the documentary here.