Invictus Games

Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014. It is for wounded, injured and sick miliary service personnel, serving or a veteran. The word "Invictus" means "unconquered". It is a word that embodies the fighting spirit of the wounded, injured and sick personnel and what they can achieve post-injury.

Canada sent a 56-person team to the games in Vancouver. It included 22 serving members and 34 Veterans. They were among 25 nations that would compete in 11 adaptive sports. It was the seventh Invictus games and the first time that winter sports such as Alpine and Nordic skiing, skeleton bob, biathlon and wheelchair curling were introduced.  

Harry hugging one of Canada's Captains

When my daughter-in-law asked me if I would be interested in going to the Invictus Games, I took to a google search. I was aware of the games; I just had no understanding of the depth of what they meant. One thing I did know was that I wanted to be part of the Invictus Games 2025. She was able to get tickets to the sitting volleyball, rowing and the closing ceremonies. 

These were my thoughts as I was arriving in Vancouver. I would get to see Prince Harry. I have loved Harry since the day he was born, to be in the same room as him, would be an honor. I am a huge fan of Jelly Roll and to hear him sing in person, would be incredible. I love all of his music, but I knew he would sing, "I'm Not Okay" and "Liar". My daughter-in-law's friend is a member of the "Military Wives Choir". They were scheduled to sing back up for "War and Treaty". I had it in my head that most of the athletes would be an amputee. I knew that many people in the military suffer with emotional and mental issues, but I was unsure of how that would play out. 

I did not realize the life changing event I was about to witness. Our first event was the bronze medal sitting volleyball game. It was Ukranian against United Kingdom. Those participants that could walk just sat on the floor. Those with an artificial leg, just took them off and hopped out to the floor. The double amputees just slipped out of their wheelchairs and used their powerful arms to move about. When the game began, the room erupted with encouragement and an incredible energy. Ukraine won the bronze medal. It was very clear that the Ukraine athletes had taken a huge physical hit. Their team appeared to have the most amputees. Women were well represented at the games, but they didn't seem to have the same physical loss of limbs. It was evident the athletes were a 50/50 split of physical and mental issues. 

The next day was rowing, I spent many hours watching the athlete's row on a machine for either 4 minutes or 1 minute. The day began with the people that had all their limbs, and they gave it everything they had. Some would even collapse and fall of the rower at the end. Then the amputees started to arrive. Some rowed the entire time with only one arm. Some rowed only with their arms. But they were in it to win it. Then the double leg amputees and the paraplegics arrived. They put special rowers out so they could be strapped to the machine. These events were now one minute long. I was in utter awe when the two quadriplegics arrived to compete. At that moment I truly realized I was at the Invictus game, I was among unconquered people. It was a big process to get these men onto the machines. They had minimal use of their arms and needed help to put their hands on the handles. When the whistle went, they pulled those handles and were only able to move them a few inches, but they were rowing. There are no words that can help me express the feelings I had at that moment watching the courage of those men. 

Up next in my emotional rollercoaster was the closing ceremonies. The list of performers was impressive. It included "War and Treaty" with the "Military Wives Choir". "Jelly Roll" and "Bare-Naked Ladies" closed out the night. Although our seats were high in the arena, the Jumbo Tron gave us a bird's eye view. 

The night was filled with speakers and one of our Canadian favorites was "The Man in Motion" Rick Hansen. He is still a powerful and inspirational man. He is so respected in the world of physical disabilities. 

Everyone did an amazing job of performing, but I was most excited to see Jelly Roll. Jelly Roll has had a difficult past. He was 14 when he was arrested for the first time. He was convicted as a juvenile and sentenced to 8 years. He served only one year and was on probation for seven. He was in and out of prison during that time, until 2008 a jail guard told him he had a daughter. He decided to get off hard drugs and turn his life around. He had to make a choice between being a social worker and becoming a performer. 

Jelly Roll walked out into the crowd of athletes. He introduced himself and said he was honored to stand in front of some of the greatest and strongest people across the entire world. He sang "I'm Not Okay". He immersed himself among the athletes as he sang. He hugged and shock hands with many of them. He then headed to the stage. Once there he said he was just a fat man with a microphone, they were the true heroes. He refers to his music as "therapy songs". The words in the song "Liar" are just that, therapy. 

The moment Harry winked at Jelly Roll

Unlike the Olympics, athletes don't compete to be part of the Invictus games. They simply apply. They can only go once and that certainly leaves the door open for others. Some of the events the competitors have never done before such as the Skeleton and skiing. They would get a practice run and then they competed. I understand that wheelchair rugby was as rugby is, rough. 

When I think of the Invictus Games I think of the raw emotion. The energy and noise in the room as the competitions took place was something I have never experienced in my life. To see the large number of artificial limbs lined up along with wheelchairs was a humbling experience. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. I wish the feeling I had as I watched the games could have stayed with me forever. Jelly Roll was right, those athletes were some of the strongest and greatest people in the entire world. They are heroes.  

The next Invictus Games will be held in Birmingham, UK in 2027. Harry told the athletes as long as there is war there will be the Invictus Games. If the world is not at peace there will be the Invictus Games. Wouldn't it be wonderful if he didn't have to keep that promise. 

Harry is such a wonderful speaker