A FORMER army corporal living with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has found a new passion for photography which is helping him to regain his purpose in life.

Kevin Pearson, from Basingstoke, joined the army in 1980, saying he was ‘born into the military’ after his grandad, dad, brother and sister all served their country.

Kevin left school with no qualifications but was working in Hong Kong and travelling the world with the military by the time he was 17.

He served in the Scots Guards for 16 years and was deployed to Hong Kong, Germany, Scotland and Northern Ireland during that time.

However, when Kevin returned from Northern Ireland working with the Army Dog Unit, he described his time as “tough and after I came back I had trouble sleeping”, and was then diagnosed with PTSD .

Speaking about his PTSD Kevin said: “It scared people. I’ve lost friends and pushed my family away because others can’t continue to be strong for me.

“It’s been one of the hardest things to battle with and I’m sorry to say but it sometimes wins.”

Kevin had always had a keen interest in photography and was completely self-taught, but after seeing a photography course offered through Help for Heroes recovery centre, Tedworth House, he decided to apply to learn more.

He added: “I was able to learn so much more. It was a great way to learn and completely exceeded my expectations.

Photography gets me out of the house, and it gets me going places that I wouldn’t usually go due to my PTSD.

“I am proud of what I’ve done – I’ve stood at palaces and castles around the world and represented my regiment and the army. My illness has affected my life, but it’s led me down a new path and opened different doors for me.”

Kevin, praised the work Help for Heroes has done for him, saying he will continue with his photography and hopes to take his passion further afield and visit Africa on a safari trip.