JAMES IS MAKING STRIDES TO SUCCESS
Veteran, James Stride is the new face of our new Summer catalogue - in this edition he shares the proudest moment of his life and how the support from Help for Heroes' Sports Recovery and Psychological wellbeing team means he is looking forward to the future.
James models key pieces from our range of branded clothing, including our Jubilee and Patriotic collections, performance sports kit and best-selling Heritage range.
James Stride served in the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), from 2001-2010, before a spinal cord injury left him with permanent nerve damage and muscle loss in his right leg; an injury which causes him day-to-day issues.
"My injury causes me some day-to-day issues. I have a weird little limp in my walk which is caused by the weakness in my right leg; it's much worse when I'm tired. I am in constant pain in my right hip and lower back and have constant numbness in my right hamstring and calf.”
Since leaving the Army, James has also suffered with depression and other mental health issues, but with support from Help for Heroes Sports Recovery and the Psychological Wellbeing team, he is looking forward to the future.
"The lnvictus programme has, indeed, helped me mentally as well as physically. It's given me focus and drive that I had lost and has helped me to learn to look after myself again, and the support from the Psychological Wellbeing team has been invaluable''.
"If I could say one thing to the public about continuing to support Help for Heroes, it would be that Help for Heroes save lives in ways the general public could never imagine."
James is proud to have been part of Team UK at this year’s lnvictus Games at The Hague and said: "Being part of the lnvictus Games was one of the proudest moments of my life."
James' message to anyone who might be thinking of coming forward for support is: "DO IT NOW! Help for Heroes is a safe place, a community that will have your back once again."
