After losing both his legs above the knee, Derek was declared dead on an operating table at Camp Bastion, before a member of medical staff detected the faintest of pulses. Five years on from this day and Derek entered the London 2012 Olympic stadium as a Team GB Paralympian.
The five years between being declared dead on the battlefield to becoming one of the country's elite Paralympic athletes is an incredible story. The hard work, dedication and unwavering belief to achieve this goal is something that inspires any audience who hear Derek speak.
In the five years following his injury he helped galvanise public support for those seriously wounded in the service of the country. He was pivotal in the creation of Help for Heroes after the charity's founders, Emma and Bryn Parry, visited him at Selly Oak Hospital and found themselves moved by his dignity in the face of extreme adversity.
His resolve to reach the Paralympics was forged in the grimmest of those hospital days. Watching the Beijing Games from his bed, he decided that his ambition was to wear Britain's colours at London 2012 and he worked at identifying his strongest sport, the discus. His specialist prostheses have been built to be especially resilient to withstand the force of his throwing action.
As Derek lay barely conscious after the IED blast him 30 yards into the air he recalls the words he summoned "Lord Jesus Christ, if you are willing to use my life to motivate and encourage others, then please give me life again".
Hearing Derek speak is an opportunity that should not be missed. He is a remarkable person with a remarkable story.
Overcoming Adversity
Achieving Goals
Inspiration
Motivation
A heartfelt thank you for your excellent presentation last night. We have already had many emails from parents saying how inspirational you were.
Rebecca Nansoz, Marketing & Admissions Manager, St Columba's CollegeWe had a fantastic day thanks you and managed to raise £50k for the QAHH.
I am not sure what to say about Derek, this was our 8th charity race day and with this year have raised over £500k for a variety of very worthy charities, however, in the time we have never had a standing ovation for our guest speaker, Saturday was the first for Derek, all 320 guests on their feet at the end in admiration. Although he only had 20 minutes to speak for the whole time you could have heard a pin drop, inspiring and emotional would be just two words to sum up, but in truth whatever you say could not do it justice. One thing I would have done differently would have been to have a box of tissues on all of the tables.
Also, my thanks to Anna for being such a wonderful guest.
Kevin Buck, Communications Officer, Southern WaterThanks for your recommendation to have Derek come along. Everyone was really impressed with him and he was truly inspiring. I have had great feedback from people who attended, and I think this is an avenue we will be pursuing again.
Keira Liburd, Legal Manager & Chair of the Race Equality NetworkToday I was fortunate enough to be at a presentation given by Derek Derenalagi.
Derek is a Fijian born ex semi-professional Rugby player. He's also a soldier who, in 2007, lost both of his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan.
He was pronounced dead on the operating table at Camp Bastion.
He treated this as a minor setback and went on to represent Team GB at the 2012 home Paralympic Games and at the recent Invictus games.
He spoke for what seemed like 10 mins but in actual fact was over an hour without a hint of self pity - and in a hangar containing 300 people you could've heard a pin drop.
I just wanted to say that if any of you guys ever get the opportunity to hear the man speak I strongly recommend you take it. His story is amazing and inspiring in equal measure.
A member of the RAF at RAF LeemingOn behalf of Helplines Partnership Trustees, staff and members I would like to thank you for presenting and being the Keynote Speaker at our Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony on Friday 7 November 2014 at De Vere West One, London.
You were an exceptional speaker and it was an honour to have you and your wife at our event. Your story was inspirational and it was wonderful to hear about how helplines have helped support you and your family through the difficult times.
Once again a big thank you and I do hope we can meet up again in the future.
Theodore Spyrou, Chief Executive, Helplines PartnershipDerek attended the helpline sector annual conference as our keynote speaker. His speech and life story was amazing and inspiring. He really reached people emotionally!
Our helplines particularly appreciated hearing from someone who had used their services and had felt the benefit of calling, as it is difficult for helplines to know the positive effect they may have had on a caller once the caller puts the phone down. People in the room were moved to tears, he got a standing ovation and the attendees just didn't want to stop clapping! A truly humble and inspirational speaker who I would have no hesitation in asking back to talk to helplines again.
Paula Ojok, Director Membership & External Affairs, Helplines PartnershipDerek Derenalagi is a true inspiration to all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. He gave an memorable talk to our students who went away with a sense of appreciation for the work our Majesty's Forces provide as well as a giving students inspiration to overcome the obstacles that they may face now or in years to come. I would personally like to thank Derek on behalf of staff and students at Hitchin Boys School, for giving us the inspiration and determination to overcome obstacles that we may face.
Mr M Philippou, Head of History and Government & Politics Dept, Hitchin Boys SchoolDerenalagi proud to be Fiji Bati ambassador
London 2012: Former soldier Derek Derenalagi misses medal but wins hearts
No Medal for Derek Derenalagi but not bad for a man once declared dead
Derek Derenalagi - Wikipedia Page
Derek Derenalagi - Help for Heroes
Prime Minister backs Help for Heroes rugby match
Derek Derenalagi meets with David Cameron at the launch of Help for Heroes "Hero Ride 2013"
Derek Derenalagi inspired Invictus Games spirit
Derek Derenalagi to become Patron of Watford Workshop
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