HEALTH &WELLBEING RAF families prepare for Toronto
Games Invictus
The 2017 Invictus Games will be held in Toronto, Canada from 23 –30
September.The UK delegation to the Invictus Games is once again being delivered by apartnership comprising The Ministry of Defence, Help for Heroes, and The Royal British Legion.
Founded by Prince Harry,the Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event that is open to all wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans.
Over 60% of this year’sUKTeam are new to the Invictus Games and were encouraged to apply off the back of the inaugural Invictus Games in 2014 and the success of the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando.
The Legion is leading the work to support the team’s friends and families (including carers) in the UK and in Canada. Friends and family play acritical and often unsung role in recovery,and their support and involvement is key.
The Legion’s Director General, Charles Byrne said: “The Legion is proud to be supporting the friends and family of the UK Team athletes at the Invictus Games 2017. We know how important the support of friends and family is to the team, both in their performance and
recovery.The Legion is co-ordinating travel, accommodation and tickets for family and friends to attend the games in Toronto, to ensure that every athlete can enjoy the support of their loved ones.”
“Her symptoms won’t change, but how she’s dealing with it is”
One of those family members going to Toronto is John Turner,the husband of RAF Sargent Michelle
Turner.John and Michelle met at RAF Waddington and have been together for 11 years.
Michelle has aheart condition which causes exhaustion, extreme dizziness and unannounced collapses. Like the majority of this year’s Invictus Games team, this is the first time Michelle has taken part in an Invictus Games.
John says “Wepushed Michelle to apply.Weknew how good it would be for her to try something
new.Before Invictus she was anxious, scared of leaving the house and retreated back into
herself.She was so worried about what would happen if she left the house (because of her condition) she just stopped going out.
Maya, Michelle &John Turner.©Crown Copyright.
“It was hard for us to see her sitting at home in the same spot all day not doing anything, so we all encouraged her to
apply.Since making the team, she’s slowly getting back to herself.Her symptoms won’t change, but how she’s dealing with it is changing. She’s out of the house all the time training, and socialising with the other athletes. It’s helped her
massively.It’s helped us all.”
John and Michelle’s daughter Maya (6) presented Prince Harry with athank you letter at the UK Team Launch in May,inwhich she thanked him for ‘helping my mummy and her friends’.
John and Maya will be supporting Michelle in Toronto with John’s son Ethan (12) and their nephew Loui (12).
32 Envoy Autumn 2017 Maya Turner.
raf-ff.org.uk
©Crown Copyright.
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