In May of this year, troops from 15 countries converged on Orlando to compete, support each other, and to show that disability doesn’t have to keep you from loving life. The event was the 2016 Invictus Games, held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World. The Invictus Games was founded in 2014 by Prince Harry, who was looking for a way to honor and support injured troops after serving two tours himself in Afghanistan. In 2013, he visited the US-based Warrior Games and became inspired to launch a similar event in London. Thus was born the Invictus Games. The Games are open to wounded, injured, or ill service men and women, both active duty and veterans. Events include things like archery, rowing, powerlifting, cycling, swimming, wheelchair basketball, and more. After hosting the event in the UK for the past two years, Prince Harry brought them to the US this year to accommodate larger crowds and to get greater participation from American troops.Troops from countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, Denmark, France, Canada, Iraq, Jordan, and more also participated in the competition.

Emotional moments highlight games

As one might imagine, an event featuring hundreds of wounded service members had its share of emotional moments. One of the biggest happened in the closing ceremonies. U.S. Army Sgt. Elizabeth Marks was treated for a collapsed lung at Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, England in 2014. Not only has she regained her ability to breath, she’s also become a highly competitive swimmer. At the Invictus Games, she won gold in the 50 meter freestyle, the 50 meter backstroke, 50 meter breaststroke, and the 100 meter freestyle. During the closing ceremonies, she gave one of her gold medals to Prince Harry, and asked him to take it back to Papworth as a gesture of appreciation. Another highlight came in the women’s 100 meter wheelchair race. Ulfat Al-Zwiri, the only female member of the Jordanian contingent, participated in her first ever competitive wheelchair event. She is paralyzed from the waist down and also has restricted arm movement. The winner of the event, American troop Kelly Elmlinger, finished with a time of 20.61 seconds. It took Ms. Al-Zwiri more than two minutes to come in a distant last place. As she rode toward the finish line, though, the crowd rose to their feet and cheered her on. Her competitors also lined their wheelchairs up along the finish line to cheer and show their support. One competitor called Ms. Al-Zwiri’s performance the most impressive of the entire event.

An event for the unconquered

Prince Harry named the event “Invictus,” because of the word’s meaning. It means “to be unconquered,” and the young royal said that’s what was on display at the games. The service members, although slowed by injury, haven’t let their disabilities define them. They still push themselves to compete and to enjoy life. While the Invictus Games may be specifically designed for service members, you don’t have to be a veteran to stay active after a disability, injury, or illness limits your mobility. Whatever activity you loved before your condition, chances are good that there’s a modified version of that activity that you can enjoy today. You just need the right gear and equipment to help you adjust. From wheelchairs to walking aids to lifts and ramps, Med Mart is your source for any type of mobility aid you need to stay active. Contact us today. We welcome the opportunity to help you live life on your terms.