I have previously written quite a lot about the effect of music on my emotions – specifically that “tingle factor” that appears at times and places that bring back memories – good or bad. Another thing that is guaranteed to stir my emotions is anything where people are “overachieving” – the underdog coming through to win – the great champion smashing his own record – the “mere mortal” achieving something outstanding.
The “masses” that take part in the London Marathon always contain a few great stories guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye. Those who have overcome adversity just to take part – those who have pushed themselves to the limit (and beyond) to raise impressive amounts for good causes – those who demonstrate the cameraderie of such events by (almost literally) carrying others to the line.
This week, in Orlando, there is a whole olympics style event – showcasing many different sports – where the participants are ALL victims of circumstance – who have ALL conquered adversity and huge challenges. The Invictus Games brings together servicemen and women who have given of themselves – physically and/or mentally in the service of their country.
It is humbling to think that here are a group of people united by the need to overcome real barriers, physically, and severe phobias, mentally, in order to succeed in one sport or another. Yes – for every one who has done this and is participating at Invictus there must be dozens/hundreds who have not succeeded yet in coming to terms with their injuries and fears – but those who have can be a huge inspiration to the many.
Those who have made, as it were, a success out of their disability must be really “in two minds” about their circumstances. On the one hand they have had some traumatic event which was – as it is described in the press reports – “life changing”. Their hopes/dreams/expectations prior to that event are largely shattered – some might survive, but the whole point is that the effects of the event(s) are life changing.
For some though those changes are not all bad!! They find themselves with opportunities that would have been denied them without the trauma that they had to live through. They find themselves – whether they like it or not – as “role models” for others who are ‘behind’ them on the road to recovery. Does this, in some way, make up for the stress, discomfort, loss that they have suffered? I am sure that the negatives are never going to be completely eradicated – however, for some, the resulting positives must provide some balance.
Those who are taking part in the Invictus Games seem to be extraordinarily enthused to be doing so – they are getting an opportunity that would certainly not have been available to them had their lives not taken such a dramatic, and potentially disastrous, turn. Yet they have certainly not been beaten by the onset of their disabilities – no – they have used the “opportunity” that this provided to achieve in a completely different sphere.
This year the focus is on those with “invisible” injuries – anxiety, depression, PTSD – and other debilitating mental health issues. It is, relatively, easy to sympathise with those who have lost limbs, or been blinded, or in some other way ‘disfigured’ – it is much more difficult when the disfigurement is in the mind – these folks look so normal!! Of course, it is rarely a case of one or the other – those with physical effects are coming to terms with huge changes to their lives – this is inevitably going to result in their mental health suffering as well as their physical health.
Watching the coverage of the games there are many moments of inspiration, surprise, motivation and a huge sense of achievement for all involved. One winner when interviewed said that he had only taken to the sport a couple of days previously – thought he would give it a go, and it turned out that he was quite good at it!!
Alongside the coverage there is a series of soundbites from a huge range of well known celebrities completing the phrase that is the motto of the games. There are so many ways to do so – I think that for me it has to be “I AM… moved”.