Instrumentofwar checking in
First off, thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.
I guess it has been quite awhile since I have posted here. I went out on outpaitient status because my wife was here to help and I jumped into Physical Therapy like it was the end of the world. All day every day. That is part of the reason that I have set a new record for transfering to another facility, considering the nature of my wounds. I still have about a year until I get boarded, but they do not believe I will need any more surgeries so I am moving to a newly stood up Med Hold Company back home.
I am trying to do a COAD (continuation of active duty) and finish up my nine more years. For awhile I was thinking of being medically retired, but I'm staying in. I have been approved to recieve a working dog. It is a specially trained balance/assistance dog for amputees. I have never heard of such a thing, but I'm gratefull.
I have five new legs now....how many people can say that? I have a C-Leg, two different mechanical's, a water/swim leg, and my favorite....a custom peg leg. I figure that I could make the best pirate for halloween. I was just going to tape a plunger to my stump and use my crutches and I told my prosthesit's the same. They have made them for BK's before but I am the first AK, we'l see. I get it on Tuesday.
I have made some really good friends here, as well as some very powerfull allies. It kind of helps in my board process to have the special assistant to the Sec of the Army as a mentor, not to mention he's a retired COL. There are alot of people who are just waiting to help soldiers stay in, it has deffinetly influenced my plans.
We were blessed to have the LTC, from the previous MiTT team that we replaced, PCS to DC (he also works for the SEC of the Army!). He heard I was hit and began to visit when I was still an inpatient. About a month and a half ago he called us to see if we could use a car, they were getting ready to donate it to charity and wanted to see if we could use it until we left....HELL YEAH!
We were extremely blessed to meet a wonderfull couple from Hollywood, MD. He is a retired Navy Captain who flew F-14's and even skippered the USS Enterprise for a spell. His wife is a blessing, they have opened their home to us on many occaisions, and it will be hard to say bye (we don't say goodbye, we're still working on getting them up to Alaska-she's afraid to fly).
Danny and the girls are on their way back to Alaska as we speak, that is why I'm up at this hour. I have JJ and we will follow on Friday or so. Right now we're looking at a boat. I figure I won't be able to wade at least two of the rivers I used to, and I want a boat I can take across some of the bigger bays to hunt. I don't plan on letting this leg thing slow down my hunting, at least in the long term. I will be snowshoeing and cross-country skiing by the winter, at least that is one of my goals. I am also going to be competing in a handbike race this summer from Fairbanks to Anchorage. When we start campaining for donors I may hit this place up.
I know I am forgetting alot, but this is already pretty long-winded. I will try to get my stops by a bit more frequent, I must say I missed you guys (and gals). I am attaching a few pics, it is hard to find any of me. I am usually behind the camera plus I hate to be in pictures, I'll try to get a few more in the future.
You guys take care, happy trails
This was me when I first started getting around
Meeting Randy Travis after a concert
When I did get some time, I managed to see three ball games....Go Twins!
JJ shooting his new bow in Greenwell State Park
NASCAR came to visit, Tony and DW played with JJ for over a half hour. They were great.
Go Smoke!
I guess it has been quite awhile since I have posted here. I went out on outpaitient status because my wife was here to help and I jumped into Physical Therapy like it was the end of the world. All day every day. That is part of the reason that I have set a new record for transfering to another facility, considering the nature of my wounds. I still have about a year until I get boarded, but they do not believe I will need any more surgeries so I am moving to a newly stood up Med Hold Company back home.
I am trying to do a COAD (continuation of active duty) and finish up my nine more years. For awhile I was thinking of being medically retired, but I'm staying in. I have been approved to recieve a working dog. It is a specially trained balance/assistance dog for amputees. I have never heard of such a thing, but I'm gratefull.
I have five new legs now....how many people can say that? I have a C-Leg, two different mechanical's, a water/swim leg, and my favorite....a custom peg leg. I figure that I could make the best pirate for halloween. I was just going to tape a plunger to my stump and use my crutches and I told my prosthesit's the same. They have made them for BK's before but I am the first AK, we'l see. I get it on Tuesday.
I have made some really good friends here, as well as some very powerfull allies. It kind of helps in my board process to have the special assistant to the Sec of the Army as a mentor, not to mention he's a retired COL. There are alot of people who are just waiting to help soldiers stay in, it has deffinetly influenced my plans.
We were blessed to have the LTC, from the previous MiTT team that we replaced, PCS to DC (he also works for the SEC of the Army!). He heard I was hit and began to visit when I was still an inpatient. About a month and a half ago he called us to see if we could use a car, they were getting ready to donate it to charity and wanted to see if we could use it until we left....HELL YEAH!
We were extremely blessed to meet a wonderfull couple from Hollywood, MD. He is a retired Navy Captain who flew F-14's and even skippered the USS Enterprise for a spell. His wife is a blessing, they have opened their home to us on many occaisions, and it will be hard to say bye (we don't say goodbye, we're still working on getting them up to Alaska-she's afraid to fly).
Danny and the girls are on their way back to Alaska as we speak, that is why I'm up at this hour. I have JJ and we will follow on Friday or so. Right now we're looking at a boat. I figure I won't be able to wade at least two of the rivers I used to, and I want a boat I can take across some of the bigger bays to hunt. I don't plan on letting this leg thing slow down my hunting, at least in the long term. I will be snowshoeing and cross-country skiing by the winter, at least that is one of my goals. I am also going to be competing in a handbike race this summer from Fairbanks to Anchorage. When we start campaining for donors I may hit this place up.
I know I am forgetting alot, but this is already pretty long-winded. I will try to get my stops by a bit more frequent, I must say I missed you guys (and gals). I am attaching a few pics, it is hard to find any of me. I am usually behind the camera plus I hate to be in pictures, I'll try to get a few more in the future.
You guys take care, happy trails
This was me when I first started getting around
Meeting Randy Travis after a concert
When I did get some time, I managed to see three ball games....Go Twins!
JJ shooting his new bow in Greenwell State Park
NASCAR came to visit, Tony and DW played with JJ for over a half hour. They were great.
Go Smoke!
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wow. Don't know really what to say. So good to see men who keep their chin up and forge ahead. Speed bump? What speed bump? 0 -
Josh-
Sorry to hear about your misfortune, and can't help admire you for how well you're adapting. I want to let you know that I appreciate your service, and anyone who has done so much for my country is a friend of mine. Anytime you're in the Mid-Michigan area, drop me an email and stop by.
Thanks again,
-Mac0 -
Everyone else has said it all.
Bless you and those who love you.
Doug0 -
instrumentofwar,First my family and I would like to thank you for your service and sacrifice.This is the first ive heard of your accident.Im glad your back safe and in good spirits.If there is anything you need or anything I can do for you or your family,Please dont hesitate to ask.Your attitude is an inspiritation to all of us.THANK YOU! 0 -
Where did you get the Al Bundy shoes?[:p] Good to see that he refined them from the original models. 0 -
I thank you for your service, and God for obviously giving you no more to bear than you are able. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by rogue_rob
IOW,
Glad to hear you're getting around a little bit and healing up as best you can. I didn't realize you were on a MiTT team though. I'm here at Riley going thru training right now to be on one.
Hope you continue your recovery. Drop me an email sometime if you're not too busy.
Do you know where you are going or what IA you will be with? We started out with the 2-8 IA BDE and we ended up covering down on 1-2-8 and 2-2-8 at BN and CO level as well as the BDE duties. We were down in Al Hillah, right outside the Babylon ruins. Good luck! If you need anything let me know, our guys will be out of there soon.0 -
Its good to see you posting again.
If you ever find yourself in need of anything, don't hesitate to ask0
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