Inspired by his father’s military career, Open University Sports Fitness and Coaching student Dan, 38, had an unwavering desire to serve his country in the armed forces. When a catastrophic accident led to the loss of his right arm and shoulder, Dan was forced to rewrite his future.
Dan reveals that The Open University’s Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship Fund has helped him unlock possibilities and opportunities that align with his passion for sports and fitness. He’s now pushing the envelope of what he’s capable of, while exploring the uncertain yet thrilling career path ahead.
Following in his father’s footsteps
At 17, Dan was ready to follow through with the plan he’d had since he was a young child.
“The day I left school, I literally walked out of the gates and kept going until I reached the Army Careers Office,” Dan recalls. “I joined the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery and with my dad’s advice to learn a trade in mind, set my sights on becoming a farrier.”
In 2007, to get some operational experience under his belt, Dan left the ceremonial grandeur of his London posting behind to serve in Afghanistan.
“My role was to engage with the local population and recruit those who wanted to be interpreters,” Dan explains. “It was exciting, but dangerous work. Shortly after returning from Afghanistan, I trekked through the rugged terrains of Northwestern Nepal – I was thrilled to see a bit of the world.”
The accident
Back on his home turf two years later, Dan was preparing for The Queen’s Birthday Parade, when a serious motorcycle accident turned his world upside down.
“The first I remember of the accident was waking up in hospital a few days later,” Dan remembers. “I looked over to my right and could only see a pillow where my right arm should have been. I later learned, I’d also broken both ankles and my left arm.”
With incredible resilience and positivity, Dan embarked on an extensive programme of rehabilitation and managed to return to work.
“I made it back to my regiment, but even then, I knew that I would never realise my ambition of becoming a farrier,” says Dan. “Three years later, I was medically discharged. My aspirations were crushed.”
Life after the Army
Transitioning to civilian life proved challenging for Dan and his mental health spiralled.
“The Army meant everything to me, I lost my sense of belonging, self-worth and identity,” Dan shares. “When I hit rock-bottom, it was only the love of my parents and wider family that kept me going.”
Yet in this time of despair, Dan’s indomitable spirit prevailed and he found the strength to grab some amazing opportunities for adventure.
“I learned to fly a plane, qualified as a scuba diver spent an entire year trailing and training to row across the Atlantic Ocean and crucially, found sanctuary in cycling,” says Dan. “This led to me competing in the 2018 Invictus Games and the Race Across America in 2022. I felt that with every pedal stroke I was breaking down barriers and proving that limitations exist only to be overcome.”
A new adventure
While training for the gruelling 3,000-mile race, Dan discovered a passion for sports performance management that sparked the new direction he was looking for in life.
“I started to look for ways I could align my experience with an academic qualification. I was driven by my love of sport and the desire to understand the physiology behind it,” said Dan. “A military charity I was involved with told me about the OU’s Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship Fund and I was so thankful when my application was accepted.”
Now in his second year of study, Dan reflects on what the scholarship means to him.
“The experience so far has been nothing short of revelatory, offering me a perspective on learning my younger self could never have imagined.”
Dan adds, “I always felt like a secondary school failure, so the fact that I’m achieving high grades at degree level is a testament to how far I’ve come. Scoring 90% on my most recent Tutor Marked Assignment is a source of immense pride. The OU has equipped me with a broader perspective and the confidence to navigate my future.”
Message for donors
Dan would like to express his “huge gratitude” to the OU’s amazing community who make scholarships possible:
“To do something so generous for someone you don’t know is one of the greatest gifts. Your generosity has not only alleviated financial burdens but has also reignited my belief in the possibilities that lie ahead. Thank you for providing me with this chance to redefine my narrative and explore the untapped potential within.”
Inspired by Dan’s story?
Every donation helps to deliver the OU’s mission of making education open to all. Head to the Open Futures Fund page to discover more about the scholarships provided as a result of the OU community’s incredible generosity.
