Sam fulfilled her dream to join the British Army in 2003. She
launched and operated state-of-the-art drones which flew above the
battlefields of southern Iraq carrying out surveillance. But on May
15, 2006, she suffered severe wounds when razor-sharp shrapnel
sliced into her right leg and back when militants fired more than
30 mortar rounds at her regiment's base in Al Amara. She nearly
bled to death before an emergency operation saved her life and was
flown to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham for further surgery.
But against huge odds, Samantha has made an astonishing
recovery. The women's team finished seventh in Europe at a recent
tournament.
Anthony Hughes of Disability Sport Wales: "From the moment, Sam
started in the DSW Volleyball programme, she snapped up every
opportunity at both at Sport Wales National Centre and with the
Celtic Dragons team. She was noticed quickly by the GB head coach
and was invited to train in Roehampton - the Sitting Volleyball
training base. Her personal attributes are outstanding. She is
driven, dynamic and an absolute competitor. She represents
everything Wales is about."