RAF squadron leader overcomes PTSD to help on Covid-19 front line at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
AFTER enduring four operations in the last two years and battling PTSD, an RAF Squadron Leader sought support from a charity and was able to help the nation’s health workers on the frontline against coronavirus.

Sherry McBain from Sarisbury Green has had three abdominal surgeries and one carpal tunnel operation over the last two years, as well as struggling with ongoing PTSD.

She hit rock bottom in October 2018 and would frequently suffer from flashbacks and nightmares.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the 40-year-old, who served in the RAF for 24 years, starting as a medic, got help from military charity Help for Heroes through its sports recovery programme.

Sherry McBain Sherry McBain
Sherry McBain

Sherry, who has a master’s degree in neuroscience nursing, is now a critical care nurse and staff officer in charge of healthcare governance at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham and has been working across different departments in the battle against Covid-19.

Read More
Coronavirus case confirmed at Gosport school

She said: ‘I have been immensely proud of every member of the team who have worked long shifts and worked across multiple departments.

‘They have not only responded in true military style but have excelled demonstrating outstanding professionalism and leadership.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Sherry McBain Sherry McBain
Sherry McBain

‘My previous experience in the operational arena at Tactical Medical Wing and the Royal College of Defence Medicine, Birmingham, ensured I had the right skill set to help with the preparation and to understand which personnel could deploy quickly in order to support the NHS and which could support defence tasks across the globe.’

Sherry is now working towards to the Invictus Games in 2021 in The Hague, with support from Help for Heroes.

She said: ‘Having withdrawn from everything I loved as a consequence of PTSD, I want to put myself out there. To compete on the world stage, to represent my country, service and branch would be a dream come true.

‘I would like my family and friends to be proud of me, to know I have done everything in my power to manage my pain and overcome PTSD, to get on top of it so I own the condition and it doesn’t rule my life.’

Sherry McBain Sherry McBain
Sherry McBain

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

News you can trust since 1877
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice