A former soldier, who fought terrorists with Prince Harry in Afghanistan, is thanking the Duke of Sussex for saving his life. Ross Austen, who lost a leg during the war in 2008, said that he struggled to accept his condition that his mental health also suffered.
But, when Prince Harry also opened up about his mental health issues, Austen said it became easier for him and other people in the same predicament to also talk about their feelings.
The disabled ex-soldier will be part of the reality TV show The Bridge. In an interview, Austen said that it's a huge deal to hear Harry share his mental health struggles as a former soldier who is also a member of the royal family.
Austen has met Harry a few more times after they served in Afghanistan. He participated in the royal's Invictus Games, which encourages ex-military people to train and compete in several Olympic-style games.
In 2016, Austen won the silver medal at the Invictus Games' powerlifting competition. Prince Harry, of course, personally handed him his award.
After weathering a lot in his life, Austen believes that he'll be able to pull through the challenges on The Bridge. This reality TV competition puts 12 strangers together to build a bridge across a lake that will take them to an island where big prizes await.
Another friend of Prince Harry is also competing in the popular reality TV show Strictly Come Dancing. JJ Chalmers is also an Invictus Games medalist who's now dabbling in a new career on television.
Chalmers said that he's also thankful for Harry starting up the sports competition to help them focus on something more productive after leaving the military service. He said that they wouldn't be thriving where they are today if not for the Duke of Sussex's initiative.
The former soldier nearly lost his life while serving in Afghanistan in 2011. Upon his return to Britain, Harry convinced him to join the Invictus Games, where he won the gold for cycling.
The two would then strike a solid friendship that Chalmers was even invited to the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018. Despite the criticisms against the royal pair, Chalmers said that he totally understands why Harry has chosen to settle down with Meghan in the U.S.
Chalmers said that he's really glad to see Prince Harry taking his role as husband and father seriously. He said that he's behind his friend's decision to protect his family and he's thrilled for the changes in Prince Harry since they met several years ago.
