TORONTO - With the countdown just hours away from the 2017 Invictus Games, his Royal Highness Prince Harry joined a panel of Veterans, caregivers, as well as leadership from charitable, research, medical and government sectors to discuss the vital role families play in a Wounded Warrior recovery.
Hosted by the True Patriot Foundation, the organization has provided more than 22 million dollars to support more than 20,000 military families, including 100 community-based programs across the country that address the unique challenges resulting from service since its inception in 2009.
A common theme discussed among the panelists was the importance of adaptive reconditioning sports on the human spirit.
Veteran U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Randi Hobson and her husband Staff Sgt. Richard Hobson
represented the United States.
"Adaptive reconditioning sports gave me back my life and as an avid athlete it taught me how do things a little differently," said Randi Hobson. "When you're injured, you have a tendency to go to a dark place and adaptive reconditioning sports provides a light not just for you but for your family. It's not just you that's affected, but your whole family. I found a new family when I began competing, however it's not about the medals, but the personal transformation Soldiers go through" she said.
"I honestly didn't understand the impact that adaptive sports could have," said Richard.
Being here for the last 12 hours and witnessing the transformation Randi has gone through along with the other athletes is astonishing.
Team Canada's Mike Trauner echoed the same sentiment.
"I was a prisoner in my own home, I have every injury imaginable. I may be home but the war is still there, I can't open a can of soup and my fingers don't work, it's the simple things people take for granted," said Trauner. "However, when it comes to the games, none of that matters, we are all pulling for each other to be the very best and sports is the ultimate medication," he said.
Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014 as a way to inspire and motivate wounded soldiers on their paths to recovery.
Beginning on September 23 and ending on the 30th, approximately 550 competitors from 17 countries are scheduled to compete in 12 sports, including track and field, swimming and, in a first for the Invictus Games, golf.
This is the fifth annual True Patriot Love Multinational symposium.
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