Alice Smith
BBC News, West of England
A Royal Marine veteran is competing in the Invictus Games after overcoming post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a shock epilepsy diagnosis.
Maj John Whiteman, from Wellington, Somerset, is taking part in several events at this year’s games in Canada, including downhill skiing, swimming 50m (165ft) and 100m (328ft) freestyle, sitting volleyball, and indoor rowing.
Maj Whiteman served with 40 Commando for two and a half years, completing one tour of Iraq and three in Afghanistan.
However, in November 2022 he suffered his first epileptic seizure after attending a Remembrance Day parade and was later diagnosed with stress-induced epilepsy and PTSD.
“I’d probably had the PTSD since my first tour in 2007, but I hadn’t admitted it to myself or anyone else,” Maj Whiteman said.
“The epilepsy was quite a shock and not really expected,” he said. “But if anything, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
“I feel more comfortable facing the PTSD, and going through treatment has put things into perspective.”
As part of his recovery, Maj Whiteman took part in resilience courses, including yoga.
He put his name forward for the Invictus Games after being encouraged by others and then attended a selection training weekend to secure a place in the UK team.
Maj Whiteman’s first event, the alpine skiing competition which spans two days, is already under way, with athletes taking to the slopes in Whistler.
“The coaches we’ve had have been absolutely amazing in teaching us actual techniques rather than just sort of thrashing ourselves on the rowing machine,” Maj Whiteman said.
“It’s really humbling, you know when I look around, at a lot of the other competitors at not just from Team UK but from different countries and the injuries they have had.
“This is an amazing experience and the Royal British Legion, what they’ve done to sort of enable this has been absolutely phenomenal.”
The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry in 2014, provide a platform for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans to compete in adaptive sports.
This year’s event is the first to include winter sports such as alpine skiing and snowboarding.
For Maj Whiteman, the games mark an important milestone in his recovery.
“I never imagined myself doing something like sitting volleyball,” he said.
“I know how fortunate I am to be here. It is an amazing experience sort of beyond any expectations I had when I first signed up for this.”
As he continues to compete, Maj Whiteman hopes his journey will inspire others facing similar challenges.
