National Amputee Awareness Week 4-11 October

National Amputee Awareness Week celebrates, raises awareness for and supports those living with limb loss. Australian Army veteran and Invictus Games competitor Ainsley Hooker is an amputee who’s story deserves to be told and celebrated.

Ainsley initially enlisted in the ADF as a reservist in 2007. However, she soon transitioned to full-time service, until she was medically discharged from the ADF in 2013.

Ainsley is a below-knee amputee following failed surgeries from an ankle injury.

Sport became essential to Ainsley’s recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into community. She found a passion for and fell in love with wheel chair rugby, among other sports including shotput and sit down discus.

Ainsley was one of 31 competitors chosen to represent Team Australia at the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023. She competed against peers with similar lived experience related to their service in wheelchair rugby, numerous athletics events and wheelchair basketball.

“One of my things was to set little goals, and mine was, once I had made it to Invictus if I could do this, this was the best and right decision for me.”

At the 2023 Invictus Games, Ainsley shone brightly, with gold medal performances in the seated shotput and sit-down discus.

Her positivity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm were infectious and a testament to the healing power of sport, showcasing the benefits to physical and mental recovery, resilience and general well-being.

“I found that even just playing sport, I don’t have to see a psych anymore. Just that knowing of being a part of something is amazing.”

Ainsley’s journey is but one of many. Invictus Australia helps veterans, such as Ainsley, discover sporting pathways to support their return to civilian life.

If you’re interested in staying active and connected through the power of sport and recreation, visit https://invictusaustralia.org

The Australian Government and DVA congratulate all team Australia members who headed to Düsseldorf to compete in the 2023 Invictus Games and have proudly committed $8.1 million in funding over three years to support Invictus Australia to deliver their adaptive sport programs for injured and/or ill veterans.