Invictus Games trip a 'humbling' experience for Windsor volunteer

A brush with royalty wasn't the highlight of a trip Sue Hospedales took to Florida last week.

Instead, it was the injured veterans she saw competing at the Invictus Games.

"They have such amazing resilience. It just humbles you when you actually see these people," Hospedales told CBC Radio's Windsor Morning in an interview.

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"It does make you realize that no matter what happens to you, it can never be as bad as what has happened to them...it really is humbling."

Hospedales, a former military nurse who lives in Windsor, and some friends from her days in the military headed south to volunteer at the games.

She spent six days helping out and wishes she could have spent even longer there.

"I want to be down there, I still want to be doing this," she said.

'Not once did one of them complain'

Hospedales said she was inspired to see these soldiers competing in a way that would astound many people.

"One of the athletes actually was rowing with his teeth because he was a triple amputee," she said. "You say, sorry, a toothache is nothing compared to what these guys have been through."

She saw similar athletic feats on the archery teams.

"A lot of the guys who were doing archery were actually pulling the bow with their teeth because of their injuries," Hospedales said. "But not once did one of them complain and the banter was amazing between both the competitors and the people who stood behind them."

She also saw Prince Harry at least once each day, as he made his way through the Florida-hosted games while she was there.

And yes, being a person who hails from Britain, that was a big thrill for Hospedales.

"It was wonderful seeing him there, he is a great ambassador for the veterans," Hospedales said.

One thing that disappointed her was the lack of media coverage of the games, aside from some late-night broadcasts she caught on U.S. television.

"It is such a shame because it needs to be brought forward," said Hospedales. "Our veterans ... they need to be out there, there needs to be more done for them."

Next year's Invictus Games will be held in Toronto. Hospedales said that is something that everyone should consider volunteering for — particularly those who have served in the military.

"If you have been in the military, I would say this is the best thing you can possibly do," she said. "Get out there, volunteer, give something back."