Garry Robinson personifies the values of the Invictus Games: resilience and the unconquered human spirit.
The Macarthur resident has already competed in three previous Invictus Games and is all set for Sydney during October 20-27.
Robinson will take part in the cycling, archery and swimming competitions at the 2018 Invictus Games.
He was serving his country in Afghanistan when the Blackhawk helicopter he was in crashed.
Robinson sustained multiple injuries, including severe brain trauma, fractured bones and ribs, both shoulder blades and his left leg, which was later amputated below the knee.
He had a lot of internal bleeding and had to have his spleen removed.
He also had a punctured lung.
Robinson was in an induced coma for four weeks while his body healed and he spent two years in hospital rehabilitating from the brain injury.
Suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression, he went through a rough time where he was finding no reason to even get out of bed some days.
The Invictus Games changed all that.
Setting sports goals have really helped Robinson, as he was no longer focusing on what he could no longer do but what he could achieve in the Invictus Games.
Archery has been a sport that Garry has started doing since the first Invictus Games.
He has found that the mental game needed with it has helped him be more focused.
He has set goals that he wants to reach and is motivated to reach them.
Now, thanks to the generosity of Wests Group Macarthur, who along with ClubsNSW is an official supporter of the Invictus Games, Garry Robinson, will have the latest archery equipment at his disposal when he competes in Sydney.
One is a spotting scope attached to a monopod, which attaches to his wheelchair. Another is a shoulder prosthetic harness, plus a new bow and arrows – all made to his personal specifications.
“When ClubsNSW approached us with the opportunity to purchase new archery equipment for Garry we were very happy to jump on board and assist,’’ says Wests Group Macarthur CEO Tony Mathew.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Garry’s recovery and his positivity in the face of his physical injuries are absolutely inspirational.[/social_quote]
“We will be following his Invictus Games performance in Sydney and cheering him on!”
Best of luck Garry