Military veteran represents Fanshawe at Invictus Games in Vancouver

Fanshawe student, Sarah Beere, served with the Royal Canadian Navy and left because of a service injury. 

“You can have all the meetings to get things in order for the release, you can have the new job lined up, the house packed for the move, but nothing prepares you for the day you leave your career,” she explained.

Transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging. In fact, it takes time to make this life-changing adjustment. For Beere, going back to school was one of the hardest parts of her transition. 

“I had lost the everyday support system that I had when I was in the Canadian Armed Forces. It was something I was investing my life into, and I had my whole career ahead of me until I was injured.” 

As part of transitioning to civilian life, Beere entered the Public Safety Fundamentals program at Fanshawe. Describing her transition, Beere shared that her civilian friends didn’t quite understand what she was going through. That’s when she turned to the Military-Connected College team at Fanshawe for assistance.

“I remember being overwhelmed during my first few weeks and they gave me space to open up about my struggles – it was a huge weight off my shoulders. Finding a space where I belonged again was a huge help,” she recalls.

Beere’s inspiring journey was recognized with her selection to represent Fanshawe at the Invictus Games in Vancouver as a guest of TD Insurance. The Games offer a recovery pathway for international wounded, injured and sick service members by providing opportunities for post-traumatic growth and enabling those involved to reclaim their purpose, identity and future, beyond injury.

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Attending the athletic competition, also helped Beere’s transition to civilian life because she felt a sense of community with the athletes through their shared experiences. 

In addition, each athlete had a motivational story that connected with Beere. Specifically, she found it uplifting how Team Canada’s Jennifer McGean found her identity through archery. In fact, Beere is thinking of following in McGean’s footsteps and trying out for archery for the 2027 games in Birmingham, England. 

“I think it would be a really good fit as I used to compete in archery competitions when I was in high school,” she shared.

At the same time, Beere, a former Naval Communicator, believes the Invictus Games will change the public’s perspective about veterans because many people think they served in World War One or World War Two. However, veterans include those who were deployed or who have served in recent years. 

With Beere returning to Fanshawe to complete the Public Safety Fundamentals program, she has now been accepted into Fanshawe’s 911 Public Safety Communications program, which will allow her to work as an emergency services dispatcher. She shares that her desire to serve in a public safety capacity continues. 

She also expressed her gratitude to the college and TD for the opportunity to attend the Games.