The run that changed Alan White’s life

HE WAS an elite commando and Alan White loved being a Royal Marine. But then he went on a run and everything changed.

ALAN White had his life mapped out.

The 44-year-old was a member of the Royal Marines — one of the world’s elite commando forces — and he was on the cusp of promotion and another 10 years of service. Then a routine jog turned his whole life upside down.

White was doing a run while carrying a lot of weight when he suddenly felt a strong, sharp pain. The former soldier suffered a spinal injury that left his right leg paralysed. He had to learn to walk again and it took three years just to straighten his leg.

“It was devastating, it broke me,” White told news.com.au.

The memory of what he lost still stings and he says he’s still dealing with the consequences almost 10 years later.

When he suffered his injury White had been in the Royal Marines for nearly 18 years and was about to promoted to an officer, which would have ensured another 10 years of service.

“I enjoyed the whole thing of being a Marine, the whole ethos,” he said. “It’s something I live my life by really, it was my life really.”

White had to have three major operations; the first one on his back in 2010, followed by a hip replacement in 2011 and another hip replacement in 2012.

Battling with the pain was the most difficult part initially but White eventually had to acknowledge he was struggling to deal with the situation mentally as well. He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 2012 and left the Marines in 2014.

He turned to alcohol to deal with what was going on in his life, which did not mix well with his medication.

“I was drinking too much and not eating enough … my aggression was getting worse. I lost my temper, everything came to a head,” he said.

“My wife basically said, ‘ultimatum time, sort yourself out or lose your family.”

While his physical injury was quite obvious, White still didn’t believe he had mental scars as well. As someone who was used to helping other people, he found it hard to acknowledge that he was suffering himself.

“There was nothing wrong with me as far as I was concerned,” he said.

“The hardest thing to do is ask for help, especially if you have a background of being a strong character.”

Six years after being diagnosed with PTSD, White’s recovery has been an ongoing process.

“I’m still dealing with it,” he said.

Alan White is participating in the Invictus Games as part of the UK team.

Talking about his struggles has helped him the most, whether he’s speaking to his psychiatrist, doing interviews, talking to different organisations or doing school visits.

“I don’t know why but it’s the way I cope with it,” he said.

News.com.au has been highlighting men’s mental health issues as part of its campaign The silent killer: Let’s make some noise in support of Gotcha4Life and the Movember Foundation.

Men are three times more likely than women to take their own lives and suicide is the leading cause of death in Australian men aged 15 to 44.

As part of the campaign news.com.au is encouraging men to talk to each other, and their family and friends, about what’s going on in their lives.

White said there were many people in the community who were struggling with their mental health and he thought it was important that people like Prince Harry were talking openly about the issue.

Prince Harry is in Sydney to open the Invictus Games in Sydney, which start on Saturday.

The event sees 500 wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and associated veterans from 18 nations take part in 11 adaptive sports events like wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing and sitting volleyball.

Participants go up against those of a similar skill level and the event aims to help them overcome their injuries by boosting their self-esteem, giving them a sense of purpose and encouraging camaraderie among service members.

Launching the first Invictus Games in London in 2014, Prince Harry said the games would “demonstrate the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and demonstrate life beyond disability”.

White is one of 72 athletes from the United Kingdom and he will be participating in five events: handcycling, swimming, seated discs and shot put, and sitting volleyball. It’s a goal he has been working towards for two years.

Prince Harry (second from left) and his wife Meghan (right) with Invictus Games UK Team chef de mission Jayne Kavanagh. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP

Alan White is participating in the Invictus Games as part of the UK team.

The chef de mission of the UK team, Jayne Kavanagh said about 1200 people had applied to be part of the country’s team this year and 500 people went through the trials. Only 72 were selected to represent the UK’s team.

“It’s such a privilege having this role and see these individuals accomplish so much,” Kavanagh said.

She said each athlete had their own story and different goals. For some that could be a personal best result but for others just the fact they were leaving their home for the first time in 10 years was an achievement.

“Over the next 10 days you’ll see the most inspiring sportspeople in the world, not only amazing athletes but those using sport for a purpose,” she said.

“It’s probably the only event in the world where the biggest cheer is for those coming last.”

When asked whether there was one event she thought viewers should watch, Ms Kavanagh suggested the sitting volleyball. She said it was a great sport where everyone acted as a team and it’s also an activity anyone can play at home — all you need is a net and a ball.

“It’s really hard as well,” she said.

The Invictus Games opening ceremony will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday and will be broadcast on ABC.

Events will take place for the next week until Saturday, October 27, click here for the schedule.

If you or someone you know needs support with their mental health, please contact one of these support organisations:

• Lifeline 24/7: 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au

• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

• MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78 or www.mensline.org.au

News.com.au has launched campaign The Silent Killer: Let's make some noise on men's mental health.