Invictus Games athlete's moving poem leaves Prince Harry teary-eyed
A former Royal Air Force sergeant, whose moving poem triggered a standing ovation at St Paul's Cathedral at the 10th anniversary service for the Invictus Games, has told how Prince Harry helped transform her life.
Michelle Turner, her husband John and 13-year-old daughter Maya recited the moving poem in front of the packed congregation, causing many guests to well up with tears – including Prince Harry in the front row – and then all stand up in appreciation.
The RAF veteran from Burscough in Lancashire has a heart condition which causes exhaustion, dizziness and sudden collapses.
This had confined her to her home until she was urged to attend an Invictus Games training camp where she was selected to compete in rowing, powerlifting and swimming.
She said: "Prince Harry has truly transformed lives with the Invictus Games.
"He really believes that people can recover from the worst injuries and trauma through sport and he has made a world of difference to people like me – we cannot thank him enough."
Mrs Turner and her family met up with the Prince in the crypt after the main service where he told her that prompting a standing ovation in St Paul's Cathedral "must be a first" as the poem was also greeted with a spontaneous round of applause.
She added: "The boss of the Invictus Games, Dominic Reid, called us up and asked if we could prepare something for the Cathedral.
"We were totally shocked and a bit overwhelmed to be honest, but we also felt very honoured to be asked so we all chipped in and contributed our bits.
"We are delighted with the reaction."
One of the verses read by her husband John said: "With Invictus support we are coming through the other side,
"It's been hard, it's been tough – one hell of a ride.
"Through sport Michelle rose, stronger each day,
"This new-found confidence is here to stay."
Mrs Turner, who was the UK team captain in the 2018 Games in Australia and a Team Ambassador for The Hague and Dusseldorf added: "Without Prince Harry there would have been no Invictus Games.
"Thousands of people from all over the world, whether seriously injured [or] suffering from PTSD, would never have this opportunity to build a new life for themselves.
"We are forever grateful and in debt to his dedication and commitment.
"There is a camaraderie in the military which is unique and it never goes away.
"I am sure Prince Harry still feels that massive sense of belonging to the Armed Forces community and he deserves a massive amount of credit and praise for what he has achieved and the difference he has made to people's lives all over the world."
The UK is bidding for the Invictus Games to be held in 2027 in Birmingham and it is hoped a decision will be made in July.
The Poem
We fought for our country on deployments far and wide,
Devoted our years and served with pride.
Camaraderie, loyalty, trust and sacrifice,
We’d do anything for our country, whatever the price.
But life didn’t go according to plan, and our military careers would end:
We were made to face a future we could never comprehend.
'Thank you for your Service, but I’m afraid you have to leave.'
No uniform, no rank, no flag on our sleeve.
Wounded, injured, sick and now with no career:
Consumed by insecurities, the pain and the fear.
Our lives were upside down, how could it be,
That the little girl I was meant to protect, was now looking after me.
I felt like I was losing my mum, she was in hospital all the time.
When I was four, I saved her life by dialling 999.
Our life was now different, she wouldn't leave the front door,
Please try the Invictus Games, Mum, we can't go on like this anymore.
She was brave and said yes – we joined the Invictus family.
I met other boys and girls going through the same as me,
Together we help each other – above and beyond.
We have a special connection, an Invictus kids' bond.
I was a husband in a lonely place, the nights I laid awake,
Longing for her to smile, longing for her to wake.
And then comes Invictus, a beacon of trust and hope,
A place where families can find new ways to cope.
Families strengthened by the Games they attend.
Doesn't matter which country – you'll always have a friend.
With each barrier broken, new goals are met.
Determination grows and new challenges are set.
With Invictus support we are coming through the other side.
It's been hard, it's been tough – one hell of a ride,
Through sport Michelle rose, stronger each day:
This new-found confidence is here to stay.
Our friends and family have seen us through each challenge we've faced.
Our biggest supporters, no matter the race,
Picking up the pieces keeping us together,
Hope we've made you proud, we promise to keep it up forever.
The power of sport has forever united us all,
From the pool to the track, to wheelchair basketball,
From the battlefield to the sports field, good times and bad,
Camaraderie and laughter, tears happy and sad.
It's our honour to forever be part of this incredible team,
At the Games and Beyond the Games, we now always dare to dream,
We carry on regardless, try to be the best we can be,
Unconquered role models for the world to see.
Thank you Invictus for giving me my mum back;
Thank you Invictus for giving me my wife back;
Thank you Invictus for giving me my life back.
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