We’re going to the 2023 Invictus Games with Team UK!
We spoke to Stacey and James, two people living with MS who are competing at this year’s Invictus Games in Düsseldorf.
The Invictus Games brings together over 500 competitors from 22 nations to compete in a series of adaptive sports. This year Stacey, a retired RAF Flight Sergeant with MS from Bedfordshire, will compete in powerlifting and indoor rowing. While James, an RAF Air Intelligence Analysist with MS from Shropshire, will take on rowing and cycling as part of the 59-strong team from the UK.
Stacey
It’s a whole other level to represent your country - it’s probably the biggest honour of my life.
"Having MS and osteoarthritis impacts my work and personal life. I live with extreme tiredness, and sometimes squatting to pick something off the floor is a real struggle. I need to plan my days carefully to make sure I have enough energy.
"For a long time, I’d avoid social plans because I didn’t want to take a walking stick out with me. But after attending the Royal British Legion’s Battle Back course, I started thinking ‘how can I do that?’ rather than ‘I can’t do that’.
"I can still walk and look for ways to combat challenges rather than give into them. Some days I might feel really, really slow, but I can still move, and that’s still something.
"Being a part of the Invictus pre-selection camps has given me a new focus. I’ve got back into powerlifting by bench pressing, which isn’t something I ever thought I could compete in on its own. But I’ve really got my motivation back again. It’s a whole other level to represent your country - it’s probably the biggest honour of my life."
James
I want to prove to myself that I have what it takes to do well in the Games.
"I’d been a keen road cyclist for some time but I started feeling really fatigued after a ride, to the point I’d fall asleep. Then in basic training I kept tripping on my left side, but I didn’t think much of it.
"When I started to experience severe headaches and vertigo, to the point that I couldn’t sleep, I was sent for an MRI scan. And that’s when it was found that I had lesions on the brain indicating MS. It was such a shock to me, and it immediately impacted the military activities I’d come to enjoy. I felt that I was losing the military career I had so longed for.
"When it came to applying for the Invictus Games, I wanted a new challenge to help me keep motivated. I’ve always loved sports, especially cycling, and Invictus has given me the chance to see what I’m capable of. To meet top coaches and speak to other people going through similar health issues to myself.
"I’m over the moon that I’ve been selected and can’t express how grateful and excited I am to be a part of the UK team. My confidence after the taster sessions has already been boosted and it’s a massive honour to represent my country on a world stage.
"I want to prove to myself that I have what it takes to do well in the Games and in the long run inspire others to succeed and not give up."
The Invictus Games will take place in Düsseldorf in Germany on 9-16 September 2023.
