Mental health was a key issue for Rob Shenton, from Biddulph Moor, Staffordshire, who had a 25-year career in the Army.
But when he was discharged after he broke his neck and back in 2020, he said it had a negative effect on him.
However, being selected to compete in Nordic swimming and indoor rowing gave him the chance, he said, to learn better “coping mechanisms”.
“Whether I win a medal or not, doesn’t really matter, because I’ve won as soon as I’m on the start line,” Mr Shenton said.
“I’ve got United Kingdom on the back and I’m representing my country again.”
Mountain biking is one of Rick Francis’s favourite hobbies but after suffering an injury during a race, he said it wrote him off.
“The injury left me out of sports for probably three to four years and it really took a toll on me mentally,” he said..
The RAF technician from Albrighton, Shropshire, has advanced osteoarthritis.
He was another to credit his selection, in his case for wheelchair basketball, swimming and skiing, in aiding his recovery.
“The opportunity to do this is really helped me rediscover myself,” he said.
“It’s been an ambition for the past 10 years to go to Canada so being able to go there as part of our recovery journey is amazing.
“Being part of the games is me giving myself the chance to do things for myself again.”
The 2025 Invictus Games will run from until 16 February.
