Sport and kids keep Townsville Invictus Games star alive

“Between sport and my kids it’s what has kept me alive, to be honest. I now have a clear direction and focus.”

Townsville's Peter Brown says he will still be prepared for the postponed Invictus Games. Picture: Alix Sweeney

THERE is nothing stopping Peter Brown from working towards victory at the Invictus Games.

To be honest, he says, he does not understand why he, among hundreds, was nominated.

But while the showcase may have been postponed, the former parachute rigger is continuing to put in the hard yards to prove he is deserving.

Brown’s military career ended when a jump went wrong and led to a severe leg injury.

He had to learn to walk again and to accept his situation.

But in the Invictus Games he rediscovered his sporting passion, and his swan song in The Netherlands was set to be a continuation of his journey.

“It (sport) has been everything. Between sport and my kids it’s what has kept me alive, to be honest. I now have a clear direction and focus,” Brown said.

“I’ve re-found my passion with sport. Things I didn’t think I was able to do with my injuries I’ve learned to adapt and find my own way to still do sports.

“It’s not about medals, it’s not about that at all. It’s about getting your life back under control and having a purpose. It’s giving your life meaning again.”

It was the loss of the little things in life that led to a daunting challenge for Brown to overcome. He was no longer able to play soccer with his son.

But the mental battle far exceeded the physical one.

“I think the biggest thing was accepting my injuries. At the start, probably for the first couple of years, I knew I had major injuries but I didn’t want to accept it,” Brown said.

“I still went out to run and try to prove myself to the army.

“But I was always re-injuring myself, getting surgeries, and sitting on the sidelines for months on end.”

Soon, however, Brown began to adapt, and has found success as an indoor rower.

At the 2018 Sydney Invictus Games he claimed a gold, silver and bronze medal, while he has also achieved two world records at Australian championships.

The 2020 Invictus Games at The Hague were set to take place on May 9, however, the coronavirus pandemic has put the veterans event on ice for the time being.

But given what the event has done for his life, Brown said when they are ready to return he will be braced for the task at hand.

“To any current serving members or veterans who are injured and who are lost, don’t be too afraid to ask for help,” Brown said.

“Get out and do these sort of activities, go to places like Mates 4 Mates and Soldier On and do things again

Originally published as Sport and kids keep Townsville Invictus Games star alive