Veteran Overcomes Multiple Surgeries, PTSD, To Compete In Triumph Games

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A competition for wounded veterans is set to take place this weekend. It's called the Triumph Games. Isaac Francois' motto: "It's now, or never."

It inspired him to compete in this month's Triumph Games.

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"Excitement is not the proper word. I don't even know what to say," Francois said. He said he is humbled by the opportunity that he is receiving to compete.

The 32-year-old native of Haiti spent a decade in the military and at one point, served in Afghanistan. "It's a life changing experience to say the least," Francois said. "I've come to appreciate life a lot more."

When he returned to the states, he was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome in his legs, a painful condition that required seven surgeries over the course of three years.  He said he feels lucky to have only gone through surgeries, as opposed to losing his legs.

Francois also suffered from PTSD. "Initially, the way I was dealing with PTSD was drinking a lot and not going out, not being approachable, not being myself." Then, Francois says, he got into sports.

Francois is now a fierce competitor and a contender in all eight events in the Triumph Games.