Craig McGrath’s life changed in an instant when he and the soliders in his unit walked into a booby trapped mudwall compound in Afghanistan in 2012.
Mr McGrath was five metres from the bomb when it exploded, sustaining shrapnel wounds to his ankle, hip, knee and shoulder, a broken leg and busted eardrums. He was transferred between several hospitals overseas before he was stable enough for the long flight home. Back in Australia he spent a month in hospital, and another month in a wheelchair, before eventually learning to walk again.
Having spent more than 20 years in the army, most of that as a sniper in the special operations command, transitioning to life outside the defence forces hasn’t been easy. But with the support of family, friends and the Blue Mountains community, and a new passion for sailing, the Springwood man is looking to the future again.
Mr McGrath is part of the four-member Australian crew competing in sailing at the Invictus Games. He encouraged people to come along to the event in Sydney harbour on Sunday, October 21 which is free to watch.
“These are your contemporary veterans. It’s a unique opportunity to see 18 countries’ worth of veterans seriously affected by their service,” the 45-year-old said.
The Invictus Games is an international adaptive multi-sport event, created by Prince Harry, in which wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans take part.
Mr McGrath describes sailing as a great, thinking sport.
“It’s a good sport to keep you focused; not let negative thoughts pop into your head. I feel like I’m good at something again,” he said.
“I will continue to race and get better. I’d love to race at an international level.”
Mr McGrath had been very active and loved running and competing in triathlons, but has been unable to run since being injured in the line of duty.
Searching for a new sport, he took to sailing like a fish to water after attending a sailing course in 2014 as part of a professional development program.
He competed in his first Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in 2014 on board a Mates4Mates boat – a veterans charity established by the Queensland RSL.
“The weather was kind. It was rough but it was a lot of fun but hard work,” Mr McGrath said.
The physical injuries he’s sustained has meant he’s been unable to return to the army, and was medically discharged in June. Mr McGrath has completed a graduate diploma in management through Macquarie University, and been spending lots of time with his wife Jodie and their two boys Lachlan and Thomas, while training hard for the Invictus Games.
He met up with Macquarie MP Susan Templeman, who encouraged Blue Mountains residents to get behind Mr McGrath and the Australian team.
“The Invictus Games is an international event being held in our backyard and is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to show our support and broaden our understanding of the veteran community,” Ms Templeman said.
“Veterans transitioning into civilian society face many challenges and it is vital that government and the community at large recognise the sacrifices they and their families have made in the service of our country.”
