Inclusive adapted sport and adventure training programme in the PTSD recovery of military personnel: a creative non-fiction

Objectives The purpose of this paper was to use a storytelling approach to explore the role of a 5-day inclusive residential adapted sport and adventurous training (AS & AAT) programme in the recovery of military personnel diagnosed with PTSD. Design: Narrative storytelling approach. Method A first-person story was developed from the participant's own words taken verbatim from an in-depth semi-structured interview. A series of focus groups were conducted with members of the general public (n = 20) to reflect upon the story. Results The story provides a rich and holistic account of the participant's experiences and unique insight to the complex interaction between the social and psychological factors associated with illness and recovery. The story also highlights the value attributed to the AS & AAT in an individual's recovery journey. Conclusions This paper offers important insights into the personal meaning and value of participation in a bespoke 5-day AS & AAT programme. Feedback from the participant and focus groups with members of the general public who engaged with the story suggest judgement criteria appropriate for a creative non-fiction representation were achieved.