Paralympics British armed forces hero – Sam Bowen

Sam Bowen will be taking part in the Great Britain's female sitting volleyball team at the Paralympic Games.

However, Bowen has had to overcome more challenges than most, after she endured life-threatening injuries while serving with the army in Iraq back in 2006.

Nerve damage suffered to her right leg left it paralysed from the knee down, while shrapnel also damaged her back.

It wasn't until 2011 that a friend of Bowen's asked her to join in with a sitting volleyball session in Cardiff.

She admitted the sport has had a big effect on her, saying: "Discovering volleyball basically changed my life, but when I got selected for the Paralympics it was an amazing feeling."

Bowen has improved a lot in a short period of time, despite the fact most of the other girls on the team have been playing sitting volleyball for a lot longer.

Councillor Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council cabinet member for sustainable development, leisure and tourism, said everyone from the area is very proud of Bowen and her achievements.

Posted by Mark Wilkins