The Sandbag Times Issue No:35

Paul Guest & the Power of Invictus
Veteran Paul Guest said he felt
worthless after medical discharge but,
after receiving support from Help for
Heroes, is now part of the 90-strong UK
Invictus team heading to Toronto in
September this year.
The 53 year old, originally from
Rochford, is a former serviceman who
toured Northern Ireland as a mine
warfare specialist. With his father in the
Royal Artillery and his mother in the
Women’s Land Army, joining the Armed
Forces was a natural step for Paul.
However his navy career came to an
end in 1987 when he was injured on
activity duty.
He suffered injuries to his neck and
spine which have caused partial
deafness, a visibility impairment and
incontinence. This means Paul needs
24-hour care to dress, bathe and carry
out day-to-day tasks. He was also
diagnosed with post-traumatic stress
disorder, leaving Paul with bouts of
depression where he would often lock
himself away. He even attempted to take
his own life.
Paul said: “I went from being a pillar of
my community by serving my country
and being the head of my family by
supporting them all to feeling absolutely
worthless in the blink of an eye. I
couldn’t look after them anymore as
they were looking after me."
More hopefuls than ever before trialled
for this year’s Invictus Games. Talking
about his selection for the Games, Paul
added: “The Invictus Games has given
me something to aim for. Pulling on the
uniform is like pulling on my Navy
uniform. I feel part of a team again, like I
belong. I’m proud to be representing
my country once again. Without Help for
Heroes, without the Band of Brothers
and without the goal of the Invictus
Games I honestly wouldn’t be here
today. “I recently lost a very good friend
of mine called Michael. He would often
decorate my house, buy the family a
takeaway or send money when I was in
hospital. He looked after me when I
couldn’t look after myself. He sadly took
his own life recently and I promised at
his graveside that I would never give up.
He was an inspiration and I owe it to
him to win at the Invictus Games.”
Paul has been supported by Help for
Heroes through the Recovery Centre in
Colchester. He said: “Walking through
to the doors of Help for Heroes in
Colchester was extremely daunting as it
was a big step to admit I needed help,
but what I soon released is that there is
no pressure to talk. When you’re ready,
they’re ready. They have helped me put
together a recovery plan, sorted out my
medication and introduced me to
sports."
You can read more on Paul’s Story
and other Invictus Team GB
competitors on the Help4Heroes
website by following this
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