Andy,
Congratulations and thank you for delivering the awesome Veteran Games 2022; your passion and dedication shone through, and I hope that you too had the opportunity to see the joy that the games and experience brought to the veterans, their partners, and their children. I often say that I have the best job in Medicine, in some cases I have been fortunate to work with the patient prior to injury, treat the patient on the battlefield, support them through their recovery and rehabilitation, see them transition out of Service and start a new life. It is humbling to see how successful they have been, to catch up with their wives and meet their children many of whom were babies when I last met them. To be able to recognise the family sacrifices and indeed courage is special I will always remember the pride from being ‘roped’ into playing water polo alongside both Lee’s and Frazer’s children. There is a bond that links all veterans irrespective if background, nationality, age or gender and the balance of competition and inclusivity was perfect for everyone to gain a ‘victory of their impairment’.
The Conference was a perfect setting to try to develop and focus close working practices; many of my patient are part of the Advance Study (one of the presentations) and to be able to feedback their frustrations is crucial. Helen Helliwell and Leo Docherty MP both plan to visit later this year to follow up our discussions; it has been a great opportunity for Joe Winch in particular to present how some area of policy have unintended consequences and how it impacts on his recovery.
I feel privileged to have been part of it. Thank you. I would be very grateful if you pass on my thanks to Spencer and Karina; as a team you were awesome.
Alistair
