New Zealand Army Staff Sergeant Tina Grant, DSD, makes a difference in the lives of NZ Army personnel everyday through her work with the Families of our Fallen.

In 2011, her husband, New Zealand Special Forces soldier Corporal Douglas Grant, was killed in action in Afghanistan.

The following year, she took up a new role as primary contact for all NZ Army families who have lost relatives while serving in the New Zealand Defence Force.

In late 2019, the Napier-born soldier faced another hurdle which would result in depression and the loss of her memories and independence – a brain tumour.

She was heading overseas for a conference when she was hit by extreme headaches.

“I ate Panadol like they were lollies and just survived. It was excruciatingly painful, it felt like I had a volcano going off in my head every five seconds,” she said.

Back in New Zealand she was diagnosed with the brain tumour and required surgery.

Staff Sergeant Grant will compete in the New Zealand team at the Invictus Games in Whistler and Vancouver, Canada in February 2025.

She is no stranger to the Games, as she was among support staff at the inaugural Games in London 2014 and then again in Orlando 2016.

She didn’t realise how much she needed this journey for herself.

“When I first went to Invictus the people were truly amazing. I compared myself to those people but I didn’t think I deserved to be a competitor.

“To me my brain tumour wasn’t a big deal compared to those who have lost three limbs. They were physical injuries I saw and felt like mine was invisible.”

Staff Sergeant Grant said the depression proved to be the worst aspect of her medical problems.

“You can fix the brain, you can whip out the tumour and you can release the pressure and the pain. But the depression was the worst as I spiralled down big time and lost all purpose. I couldn’t do anything by myself,” she said. 

While she is a long way into her recovery, her memory is still affected.

“I am so much better with my recall of daily events. But, I still don’t have long-term memories today, I don’t remember a lot of the children when they were little. People will tell me stories and I will have no clue.”

Staff Sergeant Grant will compete in alpine skiing, wheelchair curling, indoor rowing, skeleton, seated volleyball and wheelchair rugby at the Games.

She is most excited about wheelchair rugby.

“I have found something that I enjoy, that I can do, and I absolutely love it. I have gone away on two tournaments already and I have absolutely loved it, and I have enjoyed going to training every week.

“I love the crash and bash. I do not want to be on the sidelines, I want to play in every game in Canada.

“I am definitely not the fittest person in the team, but I am going to do the best I can do for the team and myself. I love being part of a team, and I love the camaraderie,” she said.

Staff Sergeant Grant said being part of the team had taken her outside her comfort zone, and she could now celebrate how far she had come.

“I know that I am a hell of a lot better than I was four years ago. Mentally and physically and my life in general.”

The New Zealand team of 19 competitors is proudly supported by Fulton Hogan, Dynasty, Sudima Hotels, The Ranfurly Veterans’ Trust, Auckland District RSA Inc, Craig Walker Building Removals, Papanui RSA, Templeton RSA Poppy Trust, Rotorua RSA, Huapai Kemeu Lions Club, NZDF Messes and Clubs, and Veterans’ Affairs.