A FORMER RAF Corporal who attempted to take his own life less than two years ago changed his mind at the last minute after glimpsing his sons’ nursery - and is now set to take part in the Invictus Games thanks to help from the Royal British Legion (RBL).
Almost 18 months ago Chris Platts, from Hoyland, planned to walk into the North Sea near RAF Lossiemouth and not come back.
But, before taking those final steps, he glanced over his shoulder and saw his sons’ nursery, where his wife Becky was also employed, and managed to pull himself back from the brink.
The former RAF serviceman had enjoyed his career in the forces, but a seemingly innocuous injury in September 2018 left Chris in excruciating pain with a stress fracture of the vertebrae which meant he could barely walk, eventually requiring spinal fusion surgery.
A further diagnosis of arthritis of the wrist sent him into a spiral of despair.
Chris said: “After five years of constant pain from a service injury, I couldn’t see a way out and decided I was going to end it all.
“I loved my 14 years in People Operations in the RAF, and enjoyed some amazing postings, including three years at SHAPE (the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) in Belgium.
“I felt as if I didn’t want to be here anymore, what’s the point if you can’t even play with your children?
“I walked to the beach with the intention of getting into the North Sea and swimming to Norway, which I knew would obviously be the end of me - I was in a dark and horrible place.
“But I had to walk past the nursery where my wife worked, where my two boys went, and I realised I couldn’t put them through that, so I turned back.”
The 39-year-old - who now works as a funeral celebrant - was referred to the Royal British Legion for help and joined a multi-activity course at the charity’s Battle Back centre in Lilleshall, an experience he described as ‘life-changing’.
“Now, instead of withdrawing to bed, I know how to deal with my injury, and I always think that tomorrow will be a better day,” he added.
“My wife, Becky, will tell you I’m a completely different person.
“The RBL focuses on what you can do, rather than what you can’t, and by the end of that week, I was a new man.
“After years of being frustrated by a medical process with no progression, beaten down and defeated, thanks to the RBL and the support of my wife and children, I’m in a really good place now.”
With this new mindset, Chris has applied to join the RBL’s Team UK and has been selected for next month’s Invictus Games in Canada to take part in sitting volleyball, rowing and alpine skiing.
He said: “I really don’t want to go back to the place I was in, and the games are making me see that there is another way.
“Becky and my two boys, Edward and George, are coming out to Whistler to support me and we can’t wait.
“It will be such an experience.”
RBL’s Team UK manager/ Louise Assioun added: “Our competitors all share something very unique they’re all from the Armed Forces and they’ve all been through some pretty big life challenges, which can include having to deal with issues like trauma, amputations, complex PTSD and coping with the experiences of combat zones.
“There’s also something very special about the Invictus Games, which brings many nations together to compete, so it’s a great opportunity for them to be part of a team again and represent their country.
