I am so proud of our Prince Harry and his founding of the Invictus Games..
Coming back from serving in Afghanistan, deeply aware of how privileged he was to be a prince, he vowed to help his fellow service men who had been severely damaged by war. He wanted to help and inspire them to feel good about themselves, despite their new debilitating challenges and help them along the recovery road..
He came up with the idea of the Invictus Games. Invictus means unconqured and that is exactly what these incredible veterans of war, are.
Invictus describes perfectly, these brave and hugely spirited ex-military people who have endured enormous pain and devastating physical difficulties.
Inspired to start again and use all the wonderful assets they spent so long developing and expressing, like immense physical & mental discipline, the men and women blossom and feel part of a national team again.
The first Invictus Games were held in England in 2014, but then this happened… – click here to see a 30 second video of Queen Elizabeth and her grandson chatting on the sofa…
Thanks to Michelle and Barack Obama and Prince Harry’s friendship, this year the Invictus Games are being held in Orlando and began with the opening ceremony on Sunday evening with a star-studded performance to honour the veterans.
The opening ceremony saw Michelle and Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Morgan Freeman, Prince Harry of course (!) as well as veteran James Blunt and singer Laura Wright.
“Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of meeting so many of you, and like Prince Harry, I am so incredibly inspired by all of you,” the first lady said. “I am inspired by your courage, your love of country, the sacrifices you all make every day.”
“Mark my words, you will be inspired, you will be moved, and you will be entertained,” enthused Harry, at the opening ceremony at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
In an interview on Good Morning America Harry had wisely said,
” For a lot of these guys, once they were forced to leave the military, they didn’t have any recognition as being part of a team, so wearing a uniform of sorts, to be able to wear your national flag again, on your left chest or your your left arm, is such a massive thing for these guys”
“I signed up because I wanted to be one of the lads… it gave me a purpose in life” he continued, expressing very clearly why and how he understood these men and women needed continue to strive and serve to feel their best.
Michelle who was with him added, ” Once they take that uniform off, they’re looking for ways to serve and we don’t want to waste that talent… and they’re some of the best competitors, the best employees and the best citizens that you’ll find”
The Invictus Games is the only International Competition especially for injured veterans from all around the world.
This year competitors have come from 14 different countries and total about five hundred men and women who have suffered life changing injuries serving their countries.
One young man interviewed who had been shot in his shoulder and leg, who now had a metal bone in his leg and metal pins in his shoulder, said that instead of giving his mom a Mother’s Day card, he was determined to make it into the finals to compete in the Invictus Games.
Interviewed on tv that afore mentioned mom, wept with pride and pleasure, exclaiming this was the best Mother’s Day present she could have had, to see him up and out and thriving again.. her son’s achievement to be competing at Invictus Games she said, was the perfect gift.
The Invictus Games will continue tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday, May 12.
Prince Harry and Michelle Obama are fantastic examples of people using their voices to make a real difference in the world. They are both excellent communicators and speak from their hearts.
And the the great thing about having confidence to do public speaking is, you really can bring about changes for the better that affect a lot of people who’s plight would otherwise would go unheard in the world.
So be entertained, be moved and above all, be inspired, so that you too share your birth talents, honed skills and privileges (we all have some whether it’s talent, or brains or wealth or all and more) and through the medium of your unique voice, express what you believe to be important for the betterment of others and you will certainly find your voice!