29 January 2025
In a world where many shy away from a challenge, Kaz Gladysz is the embodiment of fearlessness.
From retraining as a medical officer after joining the Royal Australian Air Force as a radiographer, to scaling the heights of Everest Base Camp and then motherhood, Dr Gladysz finds fulfillment in facing challenges head-on – no matter how daunting they may seem.
Putting her hand up for Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 after enduring multiple spinal surgeries, all of which required major rehabilitation, is no exception.
“I have a long-standing history with back injuries since my deployment in 2013 through Afghanistan,” Brisbane’s Dr Gladysz (40) said.
“I mainly used rehabilitation and physical exercise to get through, but unfortunately in 2019 it all culminated and I needed to undergo two surgeries that year, which meant putting my postgraduate medicine studies on hold.
“I had a good outcome at the time. I was able to run after those surgeries and return to my university studies the next year without issue.
“In 2023, when I was on a hospital placement, I had some new symptoms appear, and it turned out that one of the metal prostheses that they’d inserted had failed, and my spine had become unstable.
“I had to go in for a very significant surgery at the end of that year, which involved me starting from scratch again in terms of walking.
“It’s only now, about 12 months post that surgery, that I’m getting back into sport, and I’ve found Invictus to be such a good stepping stone for me.”
'Success takes many forms and it’s important to recognise the effort that has gone into every person’s recovery journey.'
Jokingly referred to as the female Wolverine by her sons, Riley (12) and Brody (10), because of the amount of metal in her spine and pelvis, Dr Gladysz attributes the massive gains in her rehab journey to her participation in the adaptive sports program, which immediately followed her medical discharge in June 2024.
“I don't think I could have gotten through the rehab without sport, and that’s been consistent with all my medical providers and physiotherapists,” she said.
“The role sport plays in recovery has always been emphasised, and my goals are orientated around making sure I get out and challenge myself each day with something different and see how my body responds.”
The challenges will be coming thick and fast in Canada when Dr Gladysz takes on the opposition in swimming, wheelchair basketball and biathlon, a sport that combines the thrill of cross-country skiing with the skill of rifle shooting.
While her personal goal is to compete in her own events to the best of her ability, with her boys and husband, Bart, as her cheer squad, the newly named Team Australia co-captain hopes to support her teammates in achieving their individual goals, whatever they may be.
“Success takes many forms and it’s important to recognise the effort that has gone into every person’s recovery journey,” Dr Gladysz said.
“We’ve all taken different paths and we’re all at different stages on that road, but we are here together as a team.
“To now be able to step up into this role (with co-captain Doug Griffiths) and guide our teammates to help ensure we can all have the most amazing experience throughout this journey, means so much to me.
“This will enhance an already special experience.”
Dr Gladysz is just one of 33 Team Australia members travelling to Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 between February 8 and 16.
The games highlight the exceptional physical skills and mental toughness of wounded, injured and ill service members, both former and current serving, from military across the world as they work towards rehabilitation and recovery.
