kylie reynolds

Invictus Germany Sports Festival 2026

ADF Service:  
I joined the Australian Army in January 1993 as a 17 year old. My first posting was to 11 Field Ambulance at Enoggera Bks Brisbane as a Storeman Tech Gen in RAAMC as one of three females in the unit.  
I was posted after 18 months to 1 Field Hospital, Ingleburn Sydney where I spend 4 years as a RAAMC Storeman working in various roles, including the Pharmacy. I was posted to Darwin in 1998 as a CPL and completed a Corps and Trade transfer to RASIGS as a Computer Tech and was posted back to Darwin where I spent 3 years at 104 Sig SQN, 1 CSR. This also included a deployment to East Timor in 2000 where I set up the Australian National Command Element HQ - IT systems and supported all IT systems within the Headquarters supporting OP Warden and OP Tanager.  
I was promoted to SGT in 2002 and posted to Melbourne to be an Instructor at the School of Signals where I spent 3 years, including being selected for 12 months Long Term Schooling to complete a University Degree in Computer Engineering. 
I was posted back to Darwin in 2005 to instruct on the Battlefield Command System and was promoted in 2006 to Warrant Officer Class 2 and then posted back to 1 CSR, Robertson Barracks Darwin. I deployed to the Middle East as part of OP Catalyst and OP Slipper in 2007 and 2008 as the Head Geek in the Australian HQ. 
After my deployment in the Middle East I returned back to Australia and was posted to Canberra where I was employed as the Training Manager for the Defence Material Organisation Land 75 Project. I spent many months travelling Australia and internationall0y, instructing and as the Defence Subject Matter Expert in all things Battlefield IT related.  
In 2011 I was medically separated from the army and tried working as a Public Servant within the Land 75 Project office. However, my deployments and various postings did not allow this to be a long-term solution, and I retired from working life. 

Other information:  
I am living the best life of retired living. With my wife by my side, we tackle every obstacle that we come across with smiles and determination.  
I love my sport. I was heavily involved in volunteering with netball with the QLD Firebirds and also the Sunshine Coast Lightning Teams up until 4 years ago when I ended up being a full-time wheelchair user. Being reliant on a wheelchair for all mobility hasn’t stopped me from doing the things I love. Within two weeks of leaving hospital, my wife had me back on a horse hoping this would get my automatic systems working again however this was not the case. However, I still enjoy riding my horse up to three times a week and playing wheelchair basketball and swimming when I can. 
We live on 22 acres with a Glasshouse Mountain in our backyard, looking after 3 horses, 5 dogs, 2 cats, and a few chickens. The peace and quiet of semi-rural living has been the best for us both to be able to stop and enjoy life, even when it keeps throwing hurdles at you.  
I have also been involved in the Australian War Memorial Ink in the Lines Project and Leroy, and I have been featured in the QLD OTT (QOTT) Harness Racing News. 
Age: 51 

Hometown: Brisbane 

Current Town: Brisbane 

What is the Nature of your injury or illness?  
After being Medically discharged from the army in 2011 with severe mental health issues, and back and leg physical injuries, I worked on trying to live life to the full. It took many years to come off medications, but I did, and I was enjoying life as best as I could. 
In 2022 I was on my Honeymoon loving life. Over a 5 day period I started off walking and talking normally however by the end of the week I was unable to walk or speak. My wife, with her veterinarian background, knew something was not right neurologically, but because it was during COVID, she was unable to accompany me into Emergency. So not being able to speak, she could not advocate for me. I was checked over and given back to her, as they couldn’t find anything medically wrong. After two weeks, I ended up being admitted to hospital and was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder. With my main permanent symptoms of lower limb paralysis, hand and neck dystonia, and speech issues. 
It has been 4 years since the FND diagnosis and every day I have tried to walk, tried to get my body to function as it should, however it has not returned. I, however, have not let this stop me riding horses, swimming, playing wheelchair basketball and trying new adventures to keep living life to the full. 

Sporting background:  
I have always been a very sporty person, being taught to swim as a baby by my father—an Australian National Champion swimmer—and being supported in every team I was selected for: netball, swimming and athletics, anything really. 
The army also gave me the opportunity to excel in netball—playing, managing and coaching across many State and National Defence teams over my 18 years of service. 
Currently I play wheelchair basketball with the Suncity Wheelers Moreton Bay team. I really enjoy the team sports environment, with the encouragement and support that teams provide to each other. Wheelchair Basketball is a very inclusive sport, enabling able-bodied athletes as well as disabled athletes to compete against and with each other. 

When did you first connect with the Invictus Movement?  
I read about Invictus on social media around 2022 but didn’t really understand what it was all about. After some research I saw that an Expression of Interest was open for the 2024 Warrior Games, so I submitted my application. I was unsuccessful that round, however it didn’t stop me from applying again in 2025. This time I was successful in my application and was invited to a Selection Camp for the Germany Sports Festival.  
I find social settings hard to engage in, however having some understanding about the inclusion and support that Invictus Australia provides competitors, I have found the environment to be very supportive. The other veterans all have the same uncertainty, and we have all banded together as one. 

What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? 
Sport has been a physical and mental outlet for me especially since being in a wheelchair. When riding my horse, I look like everyone else riding and when playing sports, competitiveness places an equal platform across the sporting field.  
Being told to get back into everything I was doing before my FND diagnosis, to hopefully get my brain-body connection working again, sport became a way to forget about daily life and just have fun. 

What is your greatest achievement to date?  
Being alive. Trying to live every day to the full and trying  to overcome every challenge which is placed in my path. 

Why did you apply for the Adaptive Sports Program? 
To join like-minded people with a common goal of using Sport to improve fitness, and to become more social without fear of rejection. 

How did you feel when you were told you would make the team? 
Reading the email about making the Germany Sports Festival Invictus Australia Team was an exciting moment. Not being sure if I was a fit for this team selection was overridden with happiness and excitement about being selected. It has given me new goals to set within a sports environment. 

What will ‘winning’ look like for you at this event? 
Getting through the selection process for the Germany Sports Festival feels like I have already reached this goal. New goals have now been set to attend and do my best at the Sports Festival, and to get home in a fit state to continue everyday life. Living with my neurological condition means that everyday living takes a toll on my body, so getting to and competing in the Sports Festival will be a massive win.