Doctors had warned Chris Bailey, 41, who lives in Llanbister, Mid Wales, that he would never become a father following the incident in Iraq in 2004.
He was only 21 when the accident happened but 20 years later he is one of the 16-strong 65 Degrees North team of 16 wounded, injured and sick military veterans taking on the Australian trilogy.
They boarded an aircraft at Noosa Heads in Queensland and fell 15,000ft before they set off to cycle the 1,100 plus mile route along the eastern coast of Australia.
The team then scale the summit of Mount Kosciuszko – Australia’s highest peak. Chris, who served with the Royal Airforce Regiment C Squadron, said: “I was unfortunately injured in 2004 out in Iraq. I fell 60ft from a helicopter an
“We were literally taking over the taskforce at Basra International Airport and we were doing a helicopter abseil outs
“I tried to slow down, the equipment failed and the rest is history. “The recovery journey has been extremely long. “I had no control over my bladder or bowels and couldn’t walk for about three and a half years.
“But then with good people around me and a supportive family, I was able to walk again.The doctors did write me off and said I would not be able to walk or have kids.”
“I’m proud to say that I have three amazing kids.” He added: “Obviously with this expedition now for me it’s about trying to inspire the next guys and girls who come through the system and show that you can come through adversity and you have to dig deep.
“With the right people around you will succeed, you have just got to look at life a little bit differently. “I’m very lucky.”
The single dad to sons Roman, 18, Clover, 16 and Noah, 13, underwent rehabilitation at a centre in Oswestry to help him to be mobile again.
Although, he is still in pain following the accident he still remembers the day that he took his first steps again after being designated as a priority one casualty back to Britain.
He had incomplete paraplegia with his spinal cord compromised. Chris, a veteran support coordinator, said: “It was really emotional. All the hard work had paid off.
“I had my parents there as well. It was a big day. “I think it was a pivotal moment.” But he added: “I’m constantly in pain with the nerve damage in the left leg it’s really difficult on the cycling side of things. I’ve got a lot of issues in my left foot.”
“I’m pushing myself, with three children, you have to push things to one side and crack on. “I just hope I can be the best role model that I can be for them.
“I think the big motivation is that it sounds absolutely fantastic to fall through the sky at 15,000 feet onto the beach, grab the bikes and cycle up all of the Gold Coast and then climb a mountain.
“I thought what a hell of an adventure. “For me it’s to prove that even though we’ve got disabilities and we are injured we can still achieve.”
65 Degrees North looks to help the rehabilitation of wounded, injured or sick (WIS) service personnel and veterans by offering the chance to take part in challenging adventures.
They were invited to a reception at the Houses of Parliament by the Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi and also met with Brigadier Grant Mason, the Head of Australian Defence Staff in Britain.
Ms Antoniazzi said: “It’s an honour to be able to work with the veterans who have been selected to take part in the 65 Degrees North expedition to Australia.
“I am so proud of each and every one of them for the service they have given and also their determination to be the best and to tackle their individual challenges.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting up with them on their return to hear all about their Australian Trilogy of sky diving, cycling and mountaineering.”
