A FORMER SOLDIER from Rhyl is sharing the story of how he has overcome several obstacles in order to live his life to the fullest.

Stewart Harris once represented the First Battalion in the Welsh Guards but became partially sighted and partially deaf after a roadside bomb left him with brain damage.

After witnessing the death of his comrades and returning home to be diagnosed with PTSD, Stewart was a victim of a burglary at his home which triggered a breakdown.

Following that incident, he attempted to take his own life, before recovering with the support of his family, soldiers' charities and sports.

Now, working alongside celebrity Carol Vorderman MBE, who is from Prestatyn and whose father stood on an IED and was injured whilst working as a radio man in the Dutch Resistance, Stewart is taking part in a unique project.

The pair will beorking with creative social enterprise the Drive Project, headed up by theatre producer Alice Driver who was the first person in the United Kingdom to use arts to support the rehabilitation of veterans, and limbless veterans charity Blesma.

Using this approach has changed the lives of veterans and given them a new focus delivering their inspiring story via theatres and schools to 50,000 children and young people across the UK including Wales.

But the path to rehabilitate has not been easy and they have suffered setbacks and self-doubt, a journey which Stewart now wants to share.

"I believed I was doing the best thing for my family when I tried to take my life because I thought was just dragging them down," he said.

"But something held me back and I am so glad it did. Talking about my experiences is great therapy, and the more I do it the more I am accepting of it.

"Golf is also therapeutic, and all my problems become that little white ball and I just try to smash as far as I can. But it could be a new medication, a sport or therapy, whatever works for you.”

Father of two Stewart, saw three comrades die in a Taliban attack and then suffered life changing injuries, with partial blindness and deafness due to brain damage from a remote control IED.

Struggling with day-to-day tasks and feelings of anger, Stewart hit rock bottom before receiving help in a mental health unit and has faced his issues with the loving support of his family, charities and a love of golf.

He credits talking about his problems as the best therapy in helping him to overcome his depression and is now helping others to do the same.

“You come to realise that you're actually not well and accept that what you have experienced isn’t normal. So most of all be kind to yourself," he added.

Now, Stewart is part of a new arts project The Resilience Sessions which sees Veterans who’ve been injured and public figures come together to share their stories.

He has been paired with writer and mental health campaigner Jonny Benjamin who was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at the age of 20 andhospitalised following a breakdown.