WHEN Jonathan Holloway went to serve in Afghanistan, he thought it would be his biggest battle.

But, as it turned out, his battle was just beginning.

His vehicle went over a roadside bomb and he suffered devastating injuries.

Mr Holloway, 24, who was serving with the Royal Lancers, had to have a below-the-knee amputation and also suffered a mild traumatic brain injury which caused a loss of vision in one eye and complex partial seizures.

He said: “Our vehicle was hit by an IED while touring Afghanistan in 2014.

“I struggled to come to terms with my injuries in the early stages.

“The seizures really scared me as it wasn’t very clear why I was having them and I would often have breathing difficulties and become unconscious.

“I now take medication which have controlled these.

“My foot was also shattered in the blast.

“I have now had it amputated and it has surprisingly sorted my life.

“I’ve never been happier, I never thought I’d be this active again.”

Mr Holloway has been supported in his recovery by Chavasse VC House recovery centre in Colchester.

The centre is one of four run by Help for Heroes which aims to help wounded, injured and sick servicemen lead active and fulfilling lives.

As Mr Holloway learns to live his new life, he is set to join the 40-strong British team for the upcoming Warrior Games.

The competitors, who use sport as part of their recovery, will take part in the competition from Friday until July 8 in Chicago, Illinois.

About 265 wounded veterans representing teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and U.S. Special Operations Command, as well as the United Kingdom Armed Forces and the Australian Defence Force will participate.

Mr Holloway hopes to take part in wheelchair basketball.

He described the chance to represent his country at the games as “the greatest honour possible”.

He said: “I believe that participating in sports, whether you’re disabled or not, is very important for your wellbeing.

“Not only does it make you happy but it allows you to bond with a team and strive to succeed together.

“Coming from a military background working as a team is very important to me and it almost gives me that military life back I was missing.

“Without sports I wouldn’t be the person I am today - I’d almost feel lost without it”.

He has developed a philosophy for dealing with life after injury.

He said: “Be patient and don’t expect miracles.

“If you’re told that you won’t be able to do something - prove them wrong.

“You can’t be the person you were before, but you can make the person you are now better.”