Overcoming Adversity

USSF: persistent and committed

Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan Media Operations Center
Story by Tech. Sgt. Gloria Wilson

08.29.2010  CAMP MOREHEAD, Afghanistan – The average person would never guess the story behind the funny, easy-going guy with the missing teeth. Quick to smile and quick to joke, his laid-back attitude tends to put people at ease, so being asked what happened to his mouth is common.

“So are you missing teeth from a bar fight or hockey accident,” asked a U.S. Navy medic upon first meeting the 3rd Special Forces Group team member with the semi-toothless grin.

“Neither, I got blown up,” said the U.S. Special Forces sergeant first class.

The person who asked him did an immediate double take and apologized, but the 3rd Group team member currently serving his fourth tour in Afghanistan waved it off and said it’s no big deal, no need for an apology.

Although to some it’s a big deal, stories of enemy contact—whether it’s improvised explosive devices, small arms fire, or other—is almost common place amongst 3rd Group and other USSF units. But that doesn’t change the fact that each battle and each attack has an impact on someone’s life.

The stuff nightmares are made of!

The stuff nightmares are made of.......waking up and realizing that you have no leg(s).  Unfortunately, this is a reality for many of our wounded warriors.

One thing they are guaranteed (I believe) is a replacement limb, a prosthetic leg that will allow them to stand, to walk again.  First though, they have to heal from the wounds, survive multiple surgeries and then "learn" to walk again.

One Marine has taken that a step further.  He wants them to have the "option" to learn to run again.  Why?  There was a day, around 7 years ago, when it was thought by some doctors that "he would never walk again".  The physical therapist handed him a squeeze ball to get started in his recovery.  Yep, a squeeze ball was gonna help him walk.....no, they "knew" he would never walk again.   Why give him false hope.  Boy were they ever wrong.....