30 January 2025
Breaking your back while snowboarding might put some people off snow sports for life, but not Katie Chapman.
Instead, this junior medical doctor has embraced the sport as a pivotal part of her rehabilitation journey, used it to strengthen social connections and is looking forward to carving up the slopes at Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.
Aside from ‘shredding the gnarl’ while snowboarding at the first Invictus Games to ever include snow sports, Dr Chapman (42) will also participate in sitting volleyball and indoor rowing events.
She admits the experience will test her – physically, emotionally and psychologically.
With her hips, knees, left forearm and wrist still feeling the physical effects of her service and sporting-related injuries, Dr Chapman is also learning to live with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and a moderate traumatic brain injury.
However, she is excited about the opportunity to represent her country once more.
“I feel very lucky,” said Dr Chapman, who followed in her father’s military footsteps and joined the Army Reserves while studying at Sydney University in 2001.
“When I left the Army after about 18 years of service, I was in a bad way and wanted nothing more to do with Defence.
“Because of this experience, I am doing sport and meeting all these lovely people who, like me, are prioritising their wellbeing. As a result, I am starting to develop more of a positive association with my service history and that’s amazing.”
The Bendigo native, who will be joined on her Canadian adventure by her friends Kristy, Karen and Jo, discovered her love of snowboarding in the Army.
“I was always trying to keep up with the boys; I didn’t give it a second thought,” she said.
“I was at an ADF or an Army competition when I tried to make a big jump, but didn’t quite make it. I felt my legs go tingly but I got up and, even though I remember thinking something wasn’t quite right, I kept on going.
“About two months or so later I went and had an image done and we learned I broke my back, but that didn’t stop me.”
'To be honest, I think I’ve already "won". The fact I have made new friendships with ADF people through Invictus, and I’m able to talk about my ADF life and experience without an overwhelming sense of frustration is an amazing outcome.'
Dr Chapman, whose service history also includes working as a Thai interpreter, does not hesitate to highlight the role her snow sports tribe has played in her recovery.
“My snow sports family has supported me so much on this journey. I can’t fully explain how encouraging and supportive they have been,” she said.
“They were the ones who maintained contact with me when I left the service, and helped me get back out and do stuff that has complemented my rehab.”
Despite her competitive nature, winning does not necessarily equate to a podium finish in Dr Chapman’s eyes.
“I cannot understate how much of a battle this is for me. Getting there will be a victory on its own,” she said.
“To be honest, I think I’ve already ‘won’. The fact I have made new friendships with ADF people through Invictus, and I’m able to talk about my ADF life and experience without an overwhelming sense of frustration is an amazing outcome.”
Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler will be held from February 8 to 16.
It is an international, multi-sport competition where more than 500 wounded, injured and ill service members from 24 countries around the world – both former and current serving – compete in a range of adaptive sports to showcase the power of sport to positively influence recovery and rehabilitation.
Competitors will participate in alpine skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, Nordic skiing, skeleton, wheelchair curling, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby events.
