sport, leisure
and travel
SARAH WATSON
PRIVATE DANIELLE CLOSE
ADF Service: Joined the Army in ADF Service: Joined
1997. I completed officer training the Army in 2014 as an
at the Australian Defence Force Intelligence Analyst.
Academy and the Royal Military Competing in: Athletics
College before graduating as an
Intelligence Officer. I served in
Iraq in 2006/07 before discharging
and indoor rowing.
What is the nature of
in 2015. I currently live in Aix-en- your injury or illness? I
Provence, France, accompanying my have Relapsing Remitting
husband on a posting with the Army. Multiple Sclerosis.
Competing in: Cycling, swimming, indoor rowing and
What role has sport
athletics. played in your
What is the nature of your injury or illness? I suffer from over time due to the nature of my condition. I have always
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and major depressive
disorder following my deployment to Iraq.
rehabilitation? It’s likely that I am only going to get worse
used sport as an outlet and it’s my way of showing my
body and the people around me that I’m not defined by
What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? Sport my illness or the stigma associated with it.
and fitness has been crucial in my recovery. I have used Why did you apply for the Invictus Games? I wanted to
sport to manage my condition and help maintain a fit and
healthy lifestyle.
Why did you apply for the Invictus Games? Sport is
challenge the stigma associated with Multiple Sclerosis
and the restrictions people automatically put on you when
they hear abou