Army veteran Adam Jackson wins medals, breaks world records after stroke

An “inspiring” army veteran who doctors declared would never walk again after a serious stroke has defied the odds to become a world champion athlete.

Adam Jackson, his wife Kate and his two children Maddy and Layla. Photo: contributed

An inspiring veteran who was told he would never walk again after suffering a stroke has surpassed doctors’ expectations and achieved record-breaking athletic feats.

Adam Jackson suffered a serious stroke in March, 2020 at the age of 39, which left the right side of his body completely paralysed.

When he was transferred to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, doctors declared he would not be able to walk again.

Four years later, Mr Jackson has won medals, broken two national and one world record and inspired his children to do the impossible.

His wife Kate Jackson said he was extremely fit prior to the stroke, visiting the gym daily and taking care of his health.

“Not only has Adam learnt to walk, talk and eat and run, he commits 150 per cent to every challenge thrown his way,” she said.

“Adam still suffers deficiencies on his right side, including a non-functional right hand and other physical and mental health issues.”

After pushing through four years of “gruelling” rehabilitation, Mr Jackson was invited by Invictus Australia to represent the nation in Department of Defence Warrior Games held at ESPN in Florida in June this year.

Adam Jackson trained swimming with one arm only three months prior to the games. Photo: contributed

The competition is intended to be an opportunity for the wounded, injured and ill serving and former-serving members from US military, along with competitors from Australia, to demonstrate their mental and physical skills and resilience.

Ms Jackson said her husband tried archery - using one arm and his mouth - cycling on a recumbent bike, sitting volleyball and swimming for the first time only three months before the games were held.

During the event, Mr Jackson earned a gold medal in cycling, three silver medals for indoor rowing and a bronze medal for the men’s freestyle relay section.

“We witnessed more inspiring athletes throughout these games, than we have encountered in our entire life,” Ms Jackson said.

“The resilience, courage, tenacity, and strength each competitor has shown is phenomenal.”

In the past six months, Mr Jackson has broken a world record on the SkiErg and two Australian records for indoor rowing.

He also competed at the National Indoor Archery Championships in Canberra about a week ago.

Mr Jackson said he pushed the thought of never walking again to the back of his mind when he first reached the hospital but it felt disheartening to hear whilst he was “concentrating on surviving”.

When his physio tried to get him moving again, he decided to “prove them wrong” and he was able to walk again within two months.

Mr Jackson said a lot of determination, willpower and positive thinking helped him persevere.

Adam Jackson won a gold medal in cycling on a recumbent bike. Photo: Ricky Fuller

His wife and two children, Maddy and Layla, were his ultimate support every step of the way, even throughout visitor restrictions during the pandemic.

Eight of hours of physio everyday nearly broke him and he felt like he was up against a wall when he was told to do an exercise but half of his body would not respond.

Even when he took up sports again, he faced many barriers such as finding proper sports equipment or even overcoming the mental barrier of returning to the gym.

In 2023, after much encouragement from his doctor as well as his wife, he put his name down for the games and was ultimately selected.

Mr Jackson said taking part in the games helped him step out of his comfort zone.

“There’s a lot of people worse off than you who are happier than you and giving their all,” he said.

“It’s really nice to see and it’s inspiring, especially for the kids.”

Adam Jackson won a gold medal in cycling on a recumbent bike. Photo: contributed

Ms Jackson, who had competed in the world championship for obstacle course racing in 2023, took a back seat in her own sport to support her husband.

Mr Jackson currently volunteers in coaching his daughter’s netball team as well as in water polo and takes many other opportunities to volunteer in the community.

Prior to the stroke, he had spent 15 years serving in the army and had specialised as an avionics technician.

He hopes to continue competing and plans to sign up for the next Invictus in 2025, aiming to one day compete in the Paralympics.