Invictus Games athlete delivers inspirational talk
A FORMER naval officer who competed in the Invictus Games in Sydney has given a talk at a cancer charity to inspire adults with a cancer diagnosis.
In a virtual Zoom call for The Pink Place, a Basingstoke charity that supports adults and their partners affected by cancer in North Hampshire, Karen Fisk talked about competing in the Invictus Games 2018, her journey from naval officer to her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2012 and achieving so much after being diagnosed.
Ms Fisk, 38, joined the Royal Navy in 2001 and served as a petty officer until 2015.
She got into sport through charity Help for Heroes and then took part in trials for the Invictus Games – the international multi-sport competition founded in 2014 by Prince Harry for wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and veterans.
Ms Fisk, who now works as an engineer for AWE Aldermaston said: “I first started in the trials and when I went to the Warrior games in 2016 [West Point, New York] I got hooked.
“The Americans are great at how they treat and look after veterans.
“I couldn’t believe it when I got picked to compete in swimming, cycling and athletics at the Invictus Games 2018.
“I was so excited. It is all about the fun and that is what counts.”
Now Ms Fisk wants to help others through her experience.
“The sports gave me a new lease of life, controlled my anxiety and gave me confidence.
“Try everything. It isn’t that you can’t do it, but that you just need to do it differently.
“I plan to return to the Games in 2023.”
The Pink Place’s fundraising and events manager Christine Griffiths said: “We are so grateful to Karen for joining our cancer support group as such an engaging guest speaker.
“Her inner strength, positivity and belief that anything is possible, you just have to find a different way of doing it, inspired the whole group.”
It has been a difficult start to the year for cancer charities and the people they support after the announcement of a third national lockdown at the beginning of last month.
Ms Griffiths said The Pink Place would always be there to listen.
She said: “The new year has begun with yet more challenges for so many people.
“The Pink Place is keen to remind people that during these uncertain times, anyone suffering from loneliness, isolation, and anxieties should not suffer in silence as the charity is here to listen, support, and engage.
“The Pink Place offers nine different virtual zoom sessions a week as well as counselling and mindfulness.”