Tears of a hero: The heartwarming moment Invictus competitors comfort a veteran whose PTSD was triggered by a helicopter flying overhead
- A heartwarming moment at the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney has left spectators in tears
- Paul Guest, who suffers from PTSD became visibly upset during his wheelchair tennis match on Monday
- The 54-year-old Navy serviceman was frightened by a helicopter flying overhead and became upset
- Guest, who was comforted by his Dutch teammate Edwin Vermetten, was injured serving in Northern Ireland
The touching moment an Invictus Games competitor comforted a fellow veteran suffering from PTSD has left spectators in tears.
British mine warfare specialist Paul Guest was visibly shaken when a helicopter flew by during his wheelchair tennis doubles match at Sydney Olympic Park on Monday.
The 54-year-old, who was injured serving during The Troubles in Northern Ireland, was so overcome with emotion he was unable to play and needed to be comforted by Dutch teammate Edwin Vermetten, who realised he was suffering.
Paul Guest (left) was so overcome with emotion he was unable to play and needed to be comforted by Dutch teammate Edwin Vermetten (right), who realised he was suffering
The touching moment when Invictus Games competitor Edwin Vermetten (right) comforted fellow veteran Paul Guest (left) after a helicopter flew overhead has left spectators in tears.
Harry and the hero: Guest has met Prince Harry on a few occasions and credits the Invictus Games with saving his life
Guest served in Northern Ireland for the British Armed Forces before he suffered injuries to his neck and spine while on duty in 1987.
Following his medical discharge, the former Navy servicemen has attempted suicide four times and has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
-
Hold on to your hats! Glamorous Meghan Markle and Prince…
‘PTSD is more like cancer, if you don’t address this thing…
Beckhams gone wild! David and Victoria take their children…
Share this article
The Dutchman then grabbed Guest by the shoulders and pulled their foreheads together before he sang to the man in a touching moment of camaraderie.
Vermetten described how he used the popular anthem ‘Let It Go’ from the Disney film Frozen as a way to help Guest repress the memories that were flooding back.
‘I took him by the face and said ‘Look at me. We are a team so let it go,” Vermetten said, according to the Invictus Games website.
Guest (right) served in Northern Ireland before he suffered injuries to his neck and spine while on duty for the English Armed Forces in 1987
Vermetten (pictured) described how he used the popular anthem ‘Let It Go’ from the Disney film Frozen as a way to help Guest overcome the ordeal
more videos
- 1
- 2
- 3
-
-
Watch video
Prince Harry and Meghan are given a guard of honour in Fiji
-
Watch video
Prince Harry and Meghan make their way to Hervey Bay airport
-
Watch video
Royals in attendance as Prince William and Kate Middleton graduate
-
Watch video
Prince Harry and Meghan walk hand-in-hand on Fraser Island
-
Watch video
Football hits an NFL reporter hit in the head on live TV
-
Watch video
Jayme Closs neighbors heard two gunshots before a 911 call was made
-
Watch video
Trump jokes that he’ll nominate Hillary to Supreme Court
-
Watch video
Alyssa Milano hounded over friendship with Linda Sarsour
-
Watch video
El Chapo’s fugitive son shows off wealth on Instagram page
-
Watch video
Men burn documents a day after Khashoggi’s murder in Saudi Consulate
-
Watch video
Passenger unleashes shocking tirade of racist abuse on Ryanair flight
-
Watch video
Prince William reveals George has inherited Diana’s love of dancing
‘Look into my eyes and sing the Frozen song, and we did.
‘For him, this was the moment he let go, and he did, he literally let it all go,’ he said.
As the pair embraced each other and sang, the raw and confronting moment left many spectators in the stands in tears.
After Guest was consoled by Vermetten, the pair – who only met days ago and have already built a strong friendship – went on to win their match in a third set tiebreak for a 7-5 5-7 (11-9 tiebreak) win.
Guest, who also competed in the 2017 Invictus Games in Canada, has said he became involved with the event after his wife introduced him to Help for heroes.
He previously told The Clacton Gazette the games have given him ‘something to aim for’ and he is ‘proud to be representing my country one again’.
‘Pulling on the Invictus Games uniform is like pulling on my Navy uniform.
‘Without Help for Heroes and without the goal of the Invictus Games I honestly wouldn’t be here today,’ he said.
After Guest was consoled by Vermetten, the pair – who only met days ago and have already built a strong friendship – went on to win their match in a third set tiebreak
Source: Read Full Article
-
