When Debbie O’Connell was thrown from her horse while riding for the King’s Troops Royal Horse Artillery in 2014, she knew her life would never be the same again.

Breaking her collarbone in four places, the British Army veteran was medically discharged with her left arm permanently paralysed.

Previously fit, active and healthy due to her work as a physical training instructor, the 30-year-old felt dejected, ashamed and suffering from a loss of identity.

But after applying to compete at the 2018 Invictus Games, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, the Lincoln-born athlete’s life has been turned upside down as she prepares to compete in cycling and athletics in Sydney in just a few weeks’ time.

“I got injured in 2015, my recovery process was a bit drawn out. I found myself at home missing that sporting side of my life which I was used to,” said O’Connell, who was competing in the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge, where Invictus Games competitors had the opportunity to be selected to represent their nation in the event in Sydney.

“I applied for last year, but I dropped out quite early on because my rehab meant I couldn’t dedicate the time to it. I reapplied this year and that’s how I got back into it.

“I have damage to my left arm which means that the majority of my arm is paralysed.

“I thought I had lost that part of my life from my injury and I didn’t really know what direction I was going in with coming out into the military last year.

“I felt like I had lost my identity but being in the Invictus Games and being around people that are like minded and going through similar things we can all support each other.”

Now working as a funeral director, O’Connell has started to get her focus back on track thanks to the help of her fellow Invictus Games competitors.

She will be competing in a cycling event and running the 100m, 200m, and 1500m athletics events at the fourth Invictus Games.

And O’Connell is relishing competing among fellow service personnel again as she goes for gold in Sydney.

“The other huge part is having that support network around you,” she added.

“There are people you can talk to if you are having a bad day and people to encourage you. That’s what you lose when you go out the military.

“I am really excited. I didn’t think it would happen. It’s taking each day as it comes, but really excited to get over there.

“I think everyone would like to win a gold medal, but any medals will do. Other than that, just competing, being able to relax and enjoy it is the most important thing for me.”

Jaguar Land Rover is the Presenting Partner of the Invictus Games, which takes place in Sydney, Australia from the 20th to 27th of October 2018. Jaguar Land Rover is using this year’s Invictus Games to lead and inform the debate on future mobility, and how its future technology could help people’s lives.