Breaking 20 years of isolation through sport
A message from Invictus Australia
Pauly Rainbow was demonstrating his passion for helping others early, becoming a St John’s Ambulance cadet at eight years of age. He continued to support the community throughout his life, serving as a medic in the Army during the Vietnam War, then as a nurse and as a case worker for the NSW Department of Child Services for a decade.
Now at the age of 73, a reciprocation of community support has broken what became a 20-year period of social isolation.
Pauly experienced a host of significant mental and physical issues during the years that followed his discharge, including PTSD, hearing loss and tinnitus. For the past five years he has been wheelchair bound, with no use of his legs due to Functional Neurological Disorder.
Contacting Invictus Australia changed Pauly’s trajectory. He soon found solace and interaction in a range of community sports including parkrun, Horse Aid, dragon boating and walking groups. Where his wheelchair status once felt like a dead end, Pauly now views it as an opportunity to make a difference in others’ lives.
‘There is nothing I won’t try,’ says Pauly. ‘The only failure is not trying at all. I am now connected to so many people. So many ESOs have reached out to support me. It’s empowering. Invictus Australia are extremely helpful in forming social connection, especially when you don’t have any.’
Meeting Invictus frontline staff member Jye was another turning point for Pauly. Jye connected him with Scuba Gym, an organisation dedicated to enabling lasting change for people with disabilities. Pauly feels that water is his healing place and, with regular sessions, has progressed to being able to walk under water.
After years in a wheelchair, the moment was nothing short of exhilarating.
‘I watched a 73-year-old-man in a wheelchair remove a canoe from a trolley, put it into the water, get himself in and paddle out onto the Hunter River,’ says Jye. ‘It was inspirational. This man does not allow his condition to define him.’
To anyone struggling and feeling isolated, Pauly Rainbow doesn’t hesitate to recommend reaching out for help to connect with the local community: ‘Don’t give up. Take responsibility and keep going.’
For information on connecting with local sport in your area, visit invictusaustralia.org.