A couple of weeks ago I attended the APTA National meeting in San Antonio.  During the Awards Dinner, I had the unexpected honor of sitting at the table with a young Veteran, as well as a physical therapy student who is working with him during his rehabilitation.

At only 40 years of age, this self-described “good ol’ Midwestern farm boy” from Independence, Missouri has served five tours of duty; three in Iraq and two in Afghanistan.  He arrived at the event on crutches, but it was very clear that he was far from disabled.  After an incident in Iraq, in which he protected his team from a rifle mishap, his right leg took several rounds mid-shin.  Although the lower leg was salvageable, he opted for amputation rather than wait for surgical intervention to re-grow his bone, with the goal of returning to active duty sooner.  He awaits a prosthesis which he hopes will enable him to continue active service.

His physical and occupational therapy is provided at the Center for the Intrepid (CFI), a new state of the art facility in San Antonio, funded by donations, designed to rehabilitate and support our heroes.  If you have not heard of this facility, I encourage you to learn more about CFI and see what is being achieved through sheer commitment and tenacity, both by the patients and their medical teams.  Just Google:  “Center for the Intrepid”. 

This young man’s outlook on life and his unwavering love of our country is both inspirational and humbling. The brief time I spent with him, and with this young PT student who was so unassuming yet so important to the future, put many things into perspective for me.  I have always had tremendous respect and admiration for the therapists we represent.   I have never been so appreciative, and so proud to be involved with this amazing group of professionals as I was that night.