The Invictus Games, a sporting event for injured or ill military personal, is currently taking place in australia, watched by its founder and patron, Prince Harry. Many of those taking part insist that the event has helped them through some of the darkest times of their lives, with many still experiencing the psychological repercussions of being in combat.
One such individual is Paul Guest, a former mine warfare specialist and current British wheelchair tennis player, who was left shaken and unable to play when a low-flying helicopter triggered his PTSD. His doubles partner, Dutchman Edwin Vermetten, stepped up to help his teammate through the difficult moment.
Photo by Tracey Nearmy
An article on the Invictus Games official website quotes Edwin Vermetten.
“I took him by the face and said Look at me. We are a team so let it go,”
“Look into my eyes and sing the Frozen song, and we did.“For him, this was the moment he let go, and he did, he literally let it all go.”
The internet has had an emotional reaction to the story.
Oof. A potent mix of human frailty and simple tenderness in this story. A UK competitor in the Invictus Games (for injured military veterans) freezes when a helicopter flies over. His teammate helps him through – they sing a song from Frozen. (Story: https://t.co/mFHgYOK7R7) pic.twitter.com/HvVuHA1GWn
— SimonNRicketts (@SimonNRicketts) October 22, 2018
Lovely tale from the Invictus Games.
“Look into my eyes and sing the Frozen song, and we did.
“For him, this was the moment he let go, and he did, he literally let it all go.”https://t.co/STZtkZ1iOO— Hannah Furness (@Hannah_Furness) October 22, 2018
This is what the spirit of #invictus is all about.https://t.co/uLAw7a56Uv
— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) October 23, 2018
There are medals at Invictus and then there are moments like this… #IG2018 is helping our Heroes from all nations recover
https://t.co/Gi2VXDn3aD #TeamUK
— Help for Heroes (@HelpforHeroes) October 23, 2018
Spirit of Invictus: traumatized veteran – partly blind, with chronic stress disorder – breaks down as a helicopter buzzes the tennis court. They stop the match, and sing to him: https://t.co/QmR3Nrg1vU
— Caroline Overington (@overingtonc) October 23, 2018
The pair even went on to win their match.
"I'm not used to people being there to cheer me on but it's what Invictus is all about. All the nations are cheering every single one of us on" A special moment for #TeamUK competitor Paul Guest at the Wheelchair Tennis #IG2018 pic.twitter.com/xHc8exdOLb
— Help for Heroes (@HelpforHeroes) October 22, 2018
This whole story absolutely defines “squad goals”.
Source: Invictus Games
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