Darrell Ling

Aug 30, 2023
5 Min read
Recovery Stories

Darrell Ling is one of the contributors to the Heart of Invictus documentary series, launched online August 30th.

He joined the Navy as a marine electrician, serving in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) between 1986 and 1992. His involvement in various military responses over this time, including the Swissair flight 111 crash and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, had a major impact on Darrell’s mental health. In 2016, he was diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress and major depressive disorder.

Darrell's injuries contributed to further isolation and eventually homelessness. Determined to put his life back together, he reached out to other veterans in Canada with whom he was able to build meaningful bonds.

This eventually led him to the Invictus Games The Hague 2020, where he successfully took part in the archery, indoor rowing and wheelchair basketball.

Beyond the Invictus Games, the Invictus Games Foundation also offers opportunities for recovery through sport and adventurous challenge, facilitated by the platform We Are Invictus. Darrell has taken part in numerous We Are Invictus opportunities, including several virtual London Marathons and the IGF Powered by Invictus virtual Rowing league. Having experienced the benefits of competing, first hand, he now feels passionate about inspiring others to see sports as a path to recovery.

I assume that there is someone, somewhere, suffering the way that I have been. I hope that this gives them a nudge to participate in sports.

Darrell Ling

Heart of Invictus contributor

More case studies

Canada

Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025

It was back to Canada for the seventh Invictus Games and the historic debut of winter sports with the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.

This was the first Invictus Games to be held across two sites with the city of Vancouver hosting 6 adaptive sports and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and the winter sports resort of Whistler introducing 5 winter sports to the Invictus Games Community.

In total, 23 Nations and 534 competitors came to this Games and the Opening Ceremony set the record for the highest attendance ever at an Invictus Games with 40,000.

Find out more
Sub Title

Christopher Martin

Christopher Martin joined the British Army in October 2012 as a member of the Corps of Royal Engineers and completed his basic training in 2013 before seeing deployment all over the world.

Chris served as a Communications Engineer in many third world countries and developed PTSD after returning home, he wasn't feeling okay and didn't know how to process his emotions and experiences.

He subsequently attempted suicide multiple times before discovering the power of sport for recovery.

At the Team UK Trials for the Invictus Games in 2019, Chris was first introduced to the We Are Invictus Community and the work of our 'Beyond The Games' programme.

He is now using sport regularly as part of his recovery and thriving as a member of our community - he's tried golf, took part in swimming competitions and completed half and full length marathons.

“I felt like the old me again, I felt like myself and the We Are Invictus Community has been a massive inspiration for me."

Find out more
Team UK

Scotty Darroch

Scotty served for ten years as a Corporal and Training Instructor in the UK Army’s Royal Logistic Corps and has operational service (1995-2004) in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and Kosovo.

Scotty had an extremely difficult period during his military career and when he subsequently left the Army. He wasn't aware at the time that he was suffering from undiagnosed mental health issues.

Scotty attempted to take his own life multiple times and it took him nearly 20 years to reach out and ask for help and he was finally given a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Sport became a big part of Scotty's recovery journey and found help through leading an active lifestyle which eventually led him to competing at the Invictus Games and been appointed the Team UK Powerlifting Captain at the Invictus Games Toronto 2017.

"My time competing at the Invictus Games was humbling and rewarding and I have found great support and camaraderie from the We Are Invictus Community."

Find out more
Team Ukraine

Yulia (Taira) Paievska

Taira is one of the contributors to the Heart of Invictus documentary series, launched online August 30th.

Yulia (Taira) Paievska, is a Ukrainian solider, paramedic and founder of the volunteer ambulance corps, ‘Tiara’s Angels.’ The injuries she sustained during her tour of duty meant both of her hips had to be replaced with titanium endoprostheses, and she was left to cope with partial disability.

Taira, the only woman on the Ukrainian team, was due to compete in archery and swimming at the Invictus Games The Hague in 2022. However, her capture by Russian soldiers meant she was unable to take part. Anna-Sofia Puzanova, her 19-year-old daughter, entered in her place and was awarded a bronze medal in archery.

Taira was released from captivity in June 2022 and since then has become an international symbol of bravery and sacrifice and finally competed at the Invictus Games at Düsseldorf 2023.

Find out more
Germany

Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023

The city of Düsseldorf was transformed into 'A Home For Respect', when it welcomed the Invictus community to Germany for the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023.

Düsseldorf hosted 550 competitors and their friends and family from 21 nations from the 9-16 September 2023. The sixth Invictus Games hosted medal competitions in 10 sports and featured the Invictus Games debut of Table Tennis. Düsseldorf 2023 made history as it was the first Invictus Games to feature participating nations from South America and Africa with the respective debuts of Colombia and Nigeria.

Find out more