![]() ![]() “At the end of the day it’s about supporting one another, it’s about resilience, it’s about showcasing that we’ve persevered through whatever these injuries or illnesses are,” said Wright. “Nothing can stop her at this point.”Ĭoming home with a medal in any of the events she’s competing in would be a thrill, and probably drive her to tears, she admitted. “Her fighting spirit is part of why she’s coming through back surgery,” said Dr. veterans competing in the Invictus Games this week, which features competition among disabled veterans from around the world. “Just because people look healthy, they could have a lot going on,” Wright said, using her hands to add air quotes around the word “healthy.” “I’ve used the phrase that it’s not the universal symbol of a wheelchair, and I mean nothing against people who are in a wheelchair. “It’s very important to me to start speaking about kind of invisible disabilities,” said Wright. She also suffers from a respiratory disease that came about after chlorine exposure while she was in the service. Maybe they just aren’t there to work for me when I call on them, which can be very challenging in sports and athletics.” It impacts my strength, primarily on my left side - kind of some spasticity, so like muscular contractions. “It impacts my vision in both eyes, actually. “I have autoimmune disease and it infects my neurological system,” said Wright. She’s also started speaking out about the other ailments hampering her in the last couple of weeks leading up to the games. Beyond looking healthyīut it’s not just her back, and all the pain it has put her through for years, that tried to slow her down. Christopher Good, who performed the surgery at the Virginia Spine Institute. Wright went through lots of treatment for two herniated disks, with her most recent surgery for a lumbar fusion back in December. When she was 22 and serving overseas in the Air Force, she hurt her back. ![]() Her injury list is fairly extensive for someone her age. “I remember this guy was filming, probably live streaming, and he said, ‘You haven’t been training. “I fell off from the main peloton, which was fine, but my goal was not to get pulled off the course at that point,” said Wright. In fact, it happened once before during a cycling race featuring other elite, able-bodied cyclists striving to “go pro.” The moment still drives her. It’s one reason why, after years of battling back issues - so bad she was described as having “the back of an 80-year-old” - she’s speaking out about the issues people can’t see, and might not even notice unless her body betrays her during the competition. “Sometimes we think we can see disabilities and that’s not always the case,” said Wright, who is from the Martinsburg/Charles Town area of West Virginia. Wright will be biking, swimming and discus throwing in the games, which kicked off over the weekend in the Netherlands. So on the surface, it might not make sense that she’s competing in the Invictus Games for wounded servicemen and women. Print.Īt first glance, you assume Heather Wright is an athlete - there’s strength in the 38-year-old’s handshake. Business & Finance Click to expand menu. ![]()
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