Medically retired Army Staff Sgt. Randi Gavell hopes to do the Army and American team proud in track and field and swimming at the 2016 Invictus Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
“I’ve always had a lot of pride for my country, so it means the world to me to be able to represent the USA again in a different way,” Gavell said.
She said she’s been training, but “you never know who you’re up against.”
Gavell added, “My goal is just to go out there and run and swim to the very best of my abilities, and if it’s good enough to get me up on that podium, then great! If not, I’ll still be incredibly proud and thankful to have had this unbelievable chance and opportunity.”
More than 500 wounded, ill and injured service members from 15 nations will compete in 10 sporting events during the Invictus Games held May 8-12, as they are cheered on by thousands of family members, friends and other spectators.
Gavell’s mother and big brother will be attending. “They’re excited and proud and just ready to come out and cheer on Team USA!” she said.
Gavell served with the military police for six years in the Army, and was medically retired for a traumatic brain injury. She credits her recovery to her dog, Maximus, a three-year-old Cane Corso Italian mastiff.
“He’s 100 pounds of pure spoiled, and I’m okay with that,” she said, smiling. “My dog saved my life because if I didn’t have my dog, I wouldn’t have had a reason to go outside. He got me to go back outside to walk him around the block and around the neighborhood, to start running. For anyone who’s still in that dark place, just stand up and put one foot in front of the other one and see where it takes you. Open your blinds and let the sunshine back into your life.”
Adaptive Sports
Gavell also recommends adaptive sports to any wounded warriors who may still be in that dark place.
“I believe no matter what your skill level is, adaptive sports, whether it’s on a court, on a track or on the shooting range; it’s really good for people to remember that regardless of your disability, your injury, or your illness, you’re still completely capable of accomplishing greatness no matter what you do,” she said. “For me, as an athlete growing up, sports have always been a way for me to feel like myself. Adaptive sports give me a purpose.
“With adaptive sports, you are with people who are either going through similar things or have gone through similar things,” she continued. “It gives you a chance to see what you still can do or are still capable of doing. It helps you get out of a slump if you find yourself not being able to reach out to people and if you start isolating yourself. Your teammates won’t let you, and will pull you out of that slump.”
Importance of Invictus
“Events like Invictus are imperative to the recovery and healing of our service members and their families,” Gavell said. “Not only are they life changing, but I truly believe they are life-saving, as well.”
Gavell encourages other wounded warriors to “never give up on yourself, on your goals, on your family or on life. The rough moments can sometimes seem endless, but there are resources and people who can help you through them.”
She also wanted to thank family members, because, “their love and support do not go unnoticed.”
As for others, she asks for them to not “mistake our life experiences as dangers, embrace them, give us a chance and watch us flourish.”