Phillip Eaglesham, from Dungannon, contracted Q Fever while serving in Afghanistan.
The illness resulted in him losing power in his body, confining him to a wheelchair.
He said he was determined to take control and recently competed in the Paralympic games in Rio.
He told Q radio how it started:
He wants to break the stigma surrounding wheelchairs.
Four churches share £200,000 to tackle urgent repairs
By Claudia Savage (Press Association)
Irish leaders condemn fuel protests as wrong and ‘not in the national interest’
By Bairbre Holmes (Press Association)
Police probe suspected arson attack at Coleraine apartment block
By Claudia Savage (Press Association)
Woman rescued from house in Saintfield following petrol bomb attack
By Rebecca Black (Press Association)
More than 100 firefighters tackle Omagh industrial fire as casualty airlifted
By Claudia Savage (Press Association)
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