Team UK competitor Alex Krol

When the accident happens, everything around you stops — your hopes, your dreams, your aspirations. What you don’t realize is that these are just on hold. Your crucial family unit breaks down, too, in front of your very eyes. The only things that don’t change are your mates and the banter. For them to turn around and say, “So Krolly, when are we going to start doing some sports, then?” was the best feeling ever.

That’s when you realize that all is not lost. It’s hard not to go back to the job you love and the life you had, but you soon gather that life is for living. The more I said “Yes” to sport, the happier I felt, and the effect this had on the people around me was far overwhelming. What I didn’t realize was that I was using sport as a recovery tool for my rehabilitation. And rehabilitation never stops!

The Invictus Games and everything they stand for is a lifestyle and not just a yearly sporting event. Invictus is going to the gym and smashing out a session. Invictus is going into schools and prisons and talking about the Games. Invictus is training with a purpose and winning the fight daily.

I am focused, I am determined, I am in training, I am Invictus.