Amputee vets learn more than skiing

Amputee vets learn more than skiing

Matthew B. Stannard, Chronicle Staff Writer


(03-15) 04:00 PDT Tahoe City --


The 20-year-old soldier never skied before. Had never really seen snow, save the icy inch that occasionally gathers around his Texas home.

Wounded warriors: ‘I can do this

Wounded warriors: ‘I can do this’


By Nick Cruit
BONANZA STAFF WRITER
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Sgt. John Bott, who started the day three tracking — skiing on one ski with outriggers— learns to mono ski Wednesday afternoon during the Wounded Warrior Ability Camp at Alpine Meadows. Bott had mono skied one time before but wanted to try three tracking because it would be more challenging.
Sgt. John Bott, who started the day three tracking — skiing on one ski with outriggers— learns to mono ski Wednesday afternoon during the Wounded Warrior Ability Camp at Alpine Meadows. Bott had mono skied one time before but wanted to try three tracking because it would be more challenging.ENLARGE
Sgt. John Bott, who started the day three tracking — skiing on one ski with outriggers— learns to mono ski Wednesday afternoon during the Wounded Warrior Ability Camp at Alpine Meadows. Bott had mono skied one time before but wanted to try three tracking because it would be more challenging.
Bonanza Photo - Jen Schmidt
Sean White learns to snowboard with a little help from disabled sports instructor Kevin Kuhns during the Wounded Warrior clinics Wednesday at Alpine Meadows. White, now a below-knee amputee on the right side, was wounded during his service when a roadside bomb hit under his Humvee and tossed him out of the vehicle.
Sean White learns to snowboard with a little help from disabled sports instructor Kevin Kuhns during the Wounded Warrior clinics Wednesday at Alpine Meadows. White, now a below-knee amputee on the right side, was wounded during his service when a roadside bomb hit under his Humvee and tossed him out of the vehicle.ENLARGE

Sean White learns to snowboard with a little help from disabled sports instructor Kevin Kuhns during the Wounded Warrior clinics Wednesday at Alpine Meadows. White, now a below-knee amputee on the right side, was wounded during his service when a roadside bomb hit under his Humvee and tossed him out of the vehicle.
Bonanza Photo - Jen Schmidt

After a soft landing in the snow, Army Pvt. Richard Samudio is in high spirits on his first day learning how to ski during the Wounded Warrior Ability Camp Wednesday at Alpine Meadows. Samudio lost his leg when he was hit with two grenades while doing mounted patrol on a humvee in Baghdad.
After a soft landing in the snow, Army Pvt. Richard Samudio is in high spirits on his first day learning how to ski during the Wounded Warrior Ability Camp Wednesday at Alpine Meadows. Samudio lost his leg when he was hit with two grenades while doing mounted patrol on a humvee in Baghdad.ENLARGE

After a soft landing in the snow, Army Pvt. Richard Samudio is in high spirits on his first day learning how to ski during the Wounded Warrior Ability Camp Wednesday at Alpine Meadows. Samudio lost his leg when he was hit with two grenades while doing mounted patrol on a humvee in Baghdad.
Bonanza Photo - Jen Schmidt

After a long day of learning to snowboard wounded soldier Sean White, a below-knee amputee, and instructor Kevin Kuhns, take a break in the sun near the bottom of Subway Chair.
After a long day of learning to snowboard wounded soldier Sean White, a below-knee amputee, and instructor Kevin Kuhns, take a break in the sun near the bottom of Subway Chair.ENLARGE

After a long day of learning to snowboard wounded soldier Sean White, a below-knee amputee, and instructor Kevin Kuhns, take a break in the sun near the bottom of Subway Chair.
Bonanza Photo - Jen Schmidt

ALPINE MEADOWS — In November, 1968, just four months after losing his leg in the Vietnam War, Doug Pringle stood on one ski across from a World War II Veteran who had also lost a leg in war.

He would learn to ski for the first time that day.

On Wednesday, Pvt. Richard Samudio took to the slopes of Alpine Meadows Ski Resort in a similar position.

It was just over three months ago that Samudio, 24, lost his leg in the Iraq War, struck by two grenades while performing mounted patrol atop a humvee in Baghdad. He would also learn to ski for the first time on one leg.

Amputee veterans relearn the lessons of golf

Amputee veterans relearn the lessons of golf

By Kevin Robbins - Austin (Texas) American-Statesman
Posted : Monday Mar 2, 2009 17:31:01 EST

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — A roadside bomb near Baghdad led Ryan Clark back to golf.

The 28-year-old Army infantryman from Ohio suffered a badly damaged left leg in 2007 when an improvised explosive device blew up near his vehicle in Iraq. The injury brought Clark to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where much of his leg was removed, and on a bright and breezy Monday three months later, he dressed for his first formal lesson in how to swing a short iron.

Iraq War vet decides to have second leg amputated

Iraq War vet decides to have second leg amputated
Sunday, February 15, 2009 | 7:22 p.m. CST
BY PHILLIP O'CONNOR/St. Louis Post-Dispatch

GREENFIELD — When Iraq war veteran Derick Hurt lost his right leg in a grenade attack five years ago, he fought with doctors to save his left leg and mangled foot.

Now, he wants to lose that leg, too.

Hurt believes he's used the pain in his remaining leg as an excuse for not moving on with his life. He avoided finding a full-time job, lacked goals and spent too many days at his rural home, depressed.

"I used it as a crutch not to do things," he said.

Young Medic Starts Long Road To Recovery

Young Medic Starts Long Road To Recovery
Thomas McBride Jr. of Long Valley helps an Afghani child who suffered a burn from an explosive. McBride is a Navy medic who was assigned to a Marine unit in Afghanistan until he was severely injured in a mortar attack.

Family, friends support West Morris Central graduate’s return
By PHIL GARBER, Managing Editor
Published: Dec 12th, 7:00 AM
Thomas J. McBride looks younger than his 25 years and the 2002 West Morris Central High School graduate wouldn’t stand out in a crowd were it not for the fact that his right leg had to be amputated after he was wounded in a mortar attack in Afghanistan.

That also goes for the more than 1,000 soldiers who have lost limbs during the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Many like McBride have been treated at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Military Advanced Training Center in Bethesda, Md.

The dark-haired McBride is thin and of average height and like the others in the rehab center, he looks maybe 17.

Injured Illinois Soldier Home To Celebrate The Holidays

Injured Illinois Soldier Home To Celebrate The Holidays
Last Edited: Tuesday, 16 Dec 2008, 10:01 PM CST
Created: Tuesday, 16 Dec 2008, 9:21 PM CST
Shaffer Family
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By: Teresa Woodard

(KTVI - myFOXstl.com) -- An Illinois soldier critically injured in Iraq is home in time for the holidays. His arrival in St. Louis means one of his Christmas wishes are filled, but the others can not be. 2008 has been a year of sad losses for his family.

"To be honest, I'd still rather be over there in Iraq," says Private First Class Chas Shaffer, "but since I'm back in the states it is nice to come home for Christmas."

O'Fallon man recovering at Walter Reed from injuries suffered in Iraq

O'Fallon man recovering at Walter Reed from injuries suffered in Iraq
Charles "Chas" Shaffer hurt in IED attack

By J.W. Campbell
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 9:19 AM CDT


An O'Fallon man injured in an improvised explosive device blast in Mosul, Iraq, is currently recovering from his wounds at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Charles "Chas" Shaffer had his right leg amputated above the knee as a result of the blast that hit the armored vehicle he was driving on Aug. 31. Shaffer also suffered shrapnel injuries to his left leg as well as bruises to his lungs.

Iraq veteran finds his home more hospitable thanks to retrofitting by Homes for Our Troops

Iraq veteran finds his home more hospitable thanks to retrofitting by Homes for Our Troops
Brian Hayden - NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Updated: 07/05/08 10:28 PM


Charles Lewis/Buffalo News
Mark and Denise Beyers show off the master bathroom of their home which was retrofitted for wheelchair access by a national nonprofit that builds and reconfigures homes for disabled veterans.


When Marine Lance Cpl. Mark Beyers first moved into his town of Wales home, daily activities such as showering, cooking food and leaving the house were almost impossible.

Not anymore.

Beyer's home recently was retrofitted by Homes for Our Troops, a national nonprofit that builds and reconfigures homes for disabled veterans.

Beyers, who lost an arm and a leg to a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq in 2005, said he is grateful for the life-changing alterations made to his house.

Day by day, Marine battles adversity

Day by day, Marine battles adversity

By Sarah Bultema
Loveland Reporter-Herald
Chris Hahn, a Marine, lost his leg a few years ago while serving in Iraq.

Now, back in Loveland, the veteran’s lost his job because of complications from the amputation.

But through it all, he’s kept his faith that life always works out the way it’s supposed to.

“Like I said when I lost my leg, I think everything happens for a reason,” Hahn said from his Loveland home.

What’s left of his left leg, which was amputated just below the knee, was propped up on a couch pillow.

Wounded veterans participate in program established to aid their recovery

Wounded veterans participate in program established to aid their recovery

By RICK MALWITZ • STAFF WRITER • July 10, 2008


EDISON —The last act John Wayne Walding did when he was perfectly whole was come to the aid of a fellow soldier shot in Afghanistan.
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"My buddy was shot. He said, 'Help me,' and gave his location, and then I got shot,'' said Walding, a 27-year-old U.S. Army staff sergeant from Waco, Texas.

Walding, who suffered a below-knee amputation of his right leg as a result of the attack, was asked if his buddy is recovering. "Yep. We all lived,'' he said.

"I'm fine,'' Walding said. "There's no remorse. I was doing my job.''

She told me my arm was gone. We argued about that for five minutes. I mean, I could feel it.

She told me my arm was gone. We argued about that for five minutes. I mean, I could feel it.

By Stephen Dobyns | Published Wednesday, July 9, 2008


She told me my arm was gone. We argued about that for five minutes. I mean, I could feel it.

Most stories begin with a person or an event. This one begins with a book.

Last summer I read The Brain That Changes Itself by research psychiatrist and psychologist Norman Doidge, M.D., which discusses developments in neuroscience, especially in the area of neuroplasticity. Now, if I were in a bar and the guy on the next stool leaned over and said to me what I’ve just written here, I’d give a wave to the bouncer. But hang on.

Injured Marine finds support in community

Injured Marine finds support in community

BY CATHERINE TRUMBO • Loveland Connection • July 5, 2008

LOVELAND - Chris Hahn, an Iraq war veteran, and his wife, Rachel, were settling into their lives and new jobs earlier this year when Hahn's leg began to hurt.
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Hahn, a Thompson Valley graduate and Marine, served two months in Hit, Iraq, until he was injured the night of Jan. 30, 2006.

Hahn's foot was crushed when the troop carrier he was riding atop as a gunner went off a ravine and flipped on top of him.

"That was the only time I thought I was going to die," he said. "The truck rolled on top of me. It looked like it was going to roll one more time. It rocked toward me, and then it rocked back. I pulled my leg out and crawled back. I was torn up pretty bad. They gave me four shots of morphine."

Group helps local veteran regain freedom

Group helps local veteran regain freedom

Updated: July 5, 2008 09:20 PM

WALES, N.Y. (WIVB) - In the fight for freedom, one of America's bravest from western New York lost his independence.

His right arm had to be amputated along with one of his legs below the knee.

Marine Lance Corporal Mark Beyers was severely injured in Iraq nearly three years ago..

Now, he finally has a home where he can regain his independence.

This is reality for Marine Lance Corporal Mark Beyers nearly 3 years after being injured by an improvised explosive device. "When you're a Marine, you kind of think you're a little bit invincible."

Iraq veteran gives back to soldiers

Iraq veteran gives back to soldiers
By Chris Foreman
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, July 4, 2008



Tim Boots pointed to the logo of the Wounded Warrior Project, a silhouette in which one soldier carries another to safety.

Three years ago, the Connellsville Area High School graduate was aided by a fellow Army National Guardsman after he was severely wounded in a car-bomb explosion in Bayji, Iraq.

"Now, I'm getting the chance to be the guy on the bottom, giving somebody else a hand," Boots said Thursday.

Boots is one of 16 wounded veterans serving as summer interns for the Jacksonville-based nonprofit organization. They are traveling the country to answer Iraq and Afghanistan veterans' questions about possible health and educational benefits and disability claims.

Charlotte soldier welcomed home by family

Charlotte soldier welcomed home by family

07:11 AM EDT on Friday, May 23, 2008

By FRANCES KUO / WCNC
E-mail Frances: FKuo@WCNC.com

Solider deployed in 2006 CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- An explosion on the front lines gave a Charlotte soldier a devastating injury.

On Thursday morning, Army Cpl. John Hyland got a welcome back that's long overdue.

Hyland left for Iraq in 2006 but didn't return home with his unit.

Instead, he flew to the Brooke Army Hospital Center in Texas where he's spent eight months recovering from an amputated leg.

Iraq war veteran from Michigan describes blast that cost her a leg

Iraq war veteran from Michigan describes blast that cost her a leg
BY CHRIS CHRISTOFF • FREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU CHIEF • May 23, 2008


With that, tearful Michigan National Guard veteran Sgt. Michelle Rudzitis ended an emotional address to the state Senate, in which she recounted losing her right leg to a roadside bomb in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 22, 2007.

Rudzitis, who turns 33 on Monday, which is also Memorial Day, was the keynote speaker for the Senate's annual Memorial Day service. She told of coming back to her Army base after a day off and a shopping spree. Her Humvee was the only vehicle in a convoy struck by a bomb that hurls a piece of molten copper through steel.

Is Sex Over? Badly Hurt Vets and Sexual Intimacy

Is Sex Over? Badly Hurt Vets and Sexual Intimacy
Conference Focuses on Wounded Troops and Intimacy With Their Partners
By KIMBERLY HEFLING Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON May 21, 2008 (AP) The Associated Press

When B.J. Jackson lost both his legs to an Iraq war injury, his doctors talked about a lot of things, but they didn't mention how it might affect his sex life.

BJ Jackson, a double amputee from the Iraq War, right, and his wife, Abby, right, both of Des Moines, Iowa, talk about about the issue of Iraq vets and sexual intimacy, Wednesday, May 21, 2008, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
(AP)Jackson's less-bashful wife brought it up. But even then the couple didn't get the answers they sought.

Angleton soldier wounded in Iraq

Angleton soldier wounded in Iraq

By John Lowman
The Facts

Published May 15, 2008

Leadership skills learned at West Point, and in part as a linebacker with the Angleton High School Wildcats football team, might have helped save the lives of Clayton Henchman’s troops.

And his own.

U.S. Army First Lt. Henchman, 25, was leading a platoon of soldiers near Tikrit, Iraq, when he and eight others were wounded by an improvised explosive device Saturday, said his brother, Scott Cooper.

Giving Back, Getting Around

Giving Back, Getting Around
Segways Presented to Veterans Injured in Iraq, Afghanistan

Jeffrey Adams, a first lieutenant with the Louisiana National Guard, was on patrol in Baghdad on Nov. 7, 2004, when a makeshift bomb detonated 10 feet away.

"I looked down, and my leg was gone," said Adams, 28. His left leg was later amputated above the knee, replaced with a prosthetic that now bears an Army sticker.

After spending 6 1/2 months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Adams returned home on crutches to finish a degree in chemical engineering.

Amputee Marine has long recovery at Walter Reed

Amputee Marine has long recovery at Walter Reed
The Evening Sun (Hanover)
Article Last Updated: 05/13/2008 07:52:09 AM EDT


The pain reads like a book on the face of U.S Marine 1st Lt. David Borden.

Between winces and saying words he later apologizes for using, Borden struggles to move leg muscles that have not supported his weight in months during a recent physical therapy session at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Sometimes the pain is so bad his attention focuses entirely on fighting through it.

Borden said the area where his right leg was amputated from the knee down felt like it was on fire as he worked through the different stretches and exercises.

It has been nearly four months since a suicide bomber detonated an explosive near the 27-year-old Delone Catholic High School graduate in Ramadi, Iraq - a blast that took the life of another Marine and injured three others.