Patrick Levis was lost.

The Canadian Armed forces major was paralyzed after having surgery to remove a pineapple-sized tumour from his abdomen. His new reality only made worse the post-traumatic stress disorder he was already living with following decades as an infantry officer.

Then Levis found the Invictus Games.

91裸聊视频淲hen I first became ill and became disabled following my surgery, I had lost my identity,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淏ecause I always had done sports and I was in the military, and now I knew that I was going to be released from the military because of my disability.

91裸聊视频淭he Games gave me something to aim for, and enticed me or encouraged me to start doing sports.91裸聊视频�

Levis won six medals, including four gold, when the Games were held in Duesseldorf, Germany, in 2023. He also found a whole new community of people living similar experiences to him.

Now he91裸聊视频檚 looking to help other healing service personnel find that same magic as a volunteer during the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler.

91裸聊视频淲ith the military, you91裸聊视频檙e always part of an organization. And then when you get released from the military, you kind of lose that part of your identity,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淏y participating at the Games 91裸聊视频� and coming back as a volunteer 91裸聊视频� you kind of rekindle that spirit that you kind of lost because of your illness.91裸聊视频�

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, founded the Invictus Games in 2014 to champion post-injury achievements of wounded, injured and sick military veterans and other service personnel.

This year91裸聊视频檚 Games begin Saturday with a grand opening ceremony in Vancouver and run through Feb. 16.

About 800 performers are set to entertain the crowd at BC Place during the opening ceremonies, including musical stars Katy Perry and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, and musicians, bagpipers and dancers from communities around Vancouver and Whistler.

For producer Patrick Roberge, the show is an opportunity to celebrate and welcome competitors from around the globe.

Roberge also produced the opening and closing ceremonies when the Games were held in Toronto in 2017, and said the Invictus Games come with unique considerations.

91裸聊视频淭hese Games are unique and very different than any other sporting event. A lot of these participants are suffering from PTSD, or they have physical challenges just to be present,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淎nd so we really are adapting the show to make it very accessible for them, and also being very respectful for them. So we don91裸聊视频檛 have fireworks in the show 91裸聊视频� it91裸聊视频檚 not that kind of show. But it91裸聊视频檚 going to be magical, it91裸聊视频檚 going to be inspiring.91裸聊视频�

Creating community from the very beginning of the Games is a must, said Scott Moore, chief executive officer of the 2025 Games.

91裸聊视频淎 lot of people who have left the military feel like they91裸聊视频檝e lost their family, they91裸聊视频檝e lost their support system,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淕etting back on a team gives them a goal, gives them an objective, and gives them that community back.

91裸聊视频淔or people who have left the Canadian Armed Forces, this will be the first time for many that they91裸聊视频檝e got a chance to wear the Maple Leaf on their sleeve again. And that was so important to them during their service time. Getting that back is part of that magic.91裸聊视频�

More than 500 athletes from 23 nations are set to compete in 11 adaptive sports this year, including 91裸聊视频� for the first time 91裸聊视频� winter events such as skiing, snowboarding, biathlon and skeleton.

Adding new disciplines has been exciting for organizers and competitors alike, said Moore.

91裸聊视频淚 love that challenge. Our team loves that challenge of being able to say we91裸聊视频檙e the first to do this,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭he goal is to create the expectation that adaptive sport can be something that you do 12 months a year. For many of our competitors who come from outside of Canada, doing a winter sport is something totally new.91裸聊视频�

Competitors will also take part in more traditional Invictus events, including swimming, wheelchair rugby and sitting volleyball.

Levis raced four distances in wheelchair racing back in 2023, winning gold in each, and competed in two categories of indoor rowing.

91裸聊视频淓ven though I received four gold medals in wheelchair racing, the one that I cherish the most is my silver medal in rowing, because that91裸聊视频檚 the one that I felt that I did my best and I actually achieved my personal best,91裸聊视频� he said.

Levis also took some intangible prizes from Duesseldorf 91裸聊视频� lasting bonds with people across the world.

He91裸聊视频檚 looking forward to seeing several of his Invictus friends in Vancouver and Whistler. They91裸聊视频檒l run into one another at events, meet up for meals, laugh and chat and share both highs and lows.

91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 what helps you in your journey, is knowing that there91裸聊视频檚 people out there that will support you regardless what your impairment is,91裸聊视频� Levis said. 91裸聊视频淵ou know that you91裸聊视频檒l be supported.91裸聊视频�