LCpl John received two gunshot wounds to the leg while on combat operations in Iraq in March 2007. He has nerve damage and will need extensive repair work to be done. (John subsequently suffered a major brain injury)
Update: 7/3/07: LCpl. John has been fitted with a leg brace & is currently walking & doing well in his recovery.
Update: 1/26/08 Chris (John's Mom)called to say John has been in a coma for 9 days now. He was doing well - taking pre-law classes - doing an internship - but suffered a double infection that has resulted in heart and brain damage.
Update: 2/23/08 Mom says his wounds are being treated but he's now been transferred to a hospital specializing in severe brain injuries because he is still unresponsive. She asks that you pray for his doctors - that they may perform the miracle he needs with their skill and tools of treatment.
Update: June 2008 Click on "Website" and you can read the journal John's family is keeping. Mom recently said: "I think he is beginning to see. At times, he tells me that he can see and it looks like he is tracking but when you ask him specific questions, he does not answer them correctly. I know in my heart and soul that JT will see again and that he will walk and be able to share with others Gods love for him and all his children. Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers. Love,Chris"
Update 6/21/08 from Chris: "With all of your prayers and God's grace, JT is able to communicate. He can tell me when his eye itches so I can rub it for him; when his leg hurts so I can ask the nurses for pain meds; when he's down and doesn't feel like going on anymore. Those times are the worst. JT is still blind and cannot walk or move his hands, legs, arms, etc. in any purposeful way. However; I know in my heart that he will be back to us 100%. God brought him back from the brink of death and I firmly believe it's to testify to God's love and strength for all of his children....us.
Love and my thoughts, prayers and tears all go out to you. I was in your shoes last year and wouldn't want to be in them now. I can't think of anything worse than what we are all going through. Love, Chris"
Update: 7/12/08 Excerpts from Mom's latest post: "Hello friends and family, ....
He requires 24 hour care due to his immobility and his inability to see. I'm hoping we can get a house ASAP as I'm very, very tired of not being 'home'. The Fisher House is wonderful, but it's not home.
JT had a pretty rough week. His eyes were deviated to the left and the left side of his body was flexed and rigid. On Thursday, during cognitive rounds the doctors suggested it could indicate stoke and ordered a bunch of tests for yesterday (Friday). The good news is that when I got to the hospital, JT's eyes were back to normal and his body wasn't rigid on the left side anymore.
This morning he's his normal 'happy, go lucky, self'.... Love to all, Chris"
Update: 9/12/08 from Mom: Hi Friends and Family,
I'm sorry it's been so long since I've updated the site. Time flies by so quickly and I can't seem to take care of JT's needs and take care of all other details too. Great news though!! We've found a house for JT!!! It's going to be perfect. We should close the 3rd or 4th week of October.
We're going to have one of the walls moved back to make one of the bathrooms bigger and then have JT's 'master suite' right off of the family room. He's really, really excited about getting out of the hospital and getting to his new home. Physically, he just keeps on improving little by little. He still can't see nor control his arms or legs but you can just see that he's more there. Take care everyone. Please keep those prayers coming. Love,Chris
Update: October 2008 - John will soon be 'retired' from the USMC. There is a big ceremony planned for October 15.
Update: October 2008 - from one of our members after going to John's retirement ceremony: Over 75 people attended, including other wounded, Doctors, Nurses and MANY MANY Marines and soldiers. JT looked great in his uniform and his mother made a little speech - while I cannot quote the whole thing, the guts of it were:
She said that he is her hero and will always be, that he is coming back to become the JT that she remembers. That he decided to volunteer after 9/11 and she was behind it. She said that one thing happened in the last week or so that made her know that JT was coming back "A group of high school ROTC students visited JT in the hospital and the boldest one, without the filters that we may have asked him - JT if you would have known exactly what would have happened to you and where you are today, would you still volunteer? And his answer was YES. What a Marine and YES WHAT A HERO."
Update 11/19/08: from Aunt Patty....JT is doing very well. The doctors have him on a preventative headache medication and he still gets "pain in the brain", but I get him to bed and relaxed and have had to give him no narcotics since Friday!! He is usually in such a good mood and when he isn't I know something isn't right, he needs his chair adjusted or hungry etc.
Chris is home, packing up for the move. I guess they will be delayed but that's alright it sounds like JT's house will be delayed also.
Keep the prayers coming, they are working! Pray for Bryan to find work when he gets here.
Love Aunt Patty
Update 11/29/2008 JT's headaches have disappeared. He had one headache the time I was there. He does have pain in his knuckles as he is tightening his hands so much. Chris is having some reflexology done on him and his hands have loosened quite a bit. He may have some botox injections to further lessen them.
JT's schedule will be so busy the next couple of weeks, basically in therapy or classes with a break for lunch until 3:00. He has occupational therapy, yoga, recreation therapy, speech therapy and physical therapy. He recognizes most of the people he deals with on their voices so he does have memory retention, but the process to get from short term memory to long term is a mystery to me. He is seeing like shadows and some movement so that is exciting, but he doesn't have sight like what we see.
Just being around him will lift your spirits and he usually makes you laugh! Love to all of you, Aunt Patty
Update 12/18/2008 We understand that the family has been able to move into their new home. I know this is a great accomplishment and we could not be happier. He will have regular visits back and forth to the hospital, creating a commute, but they are ready to have their own place and the new donated van will help tremendously. Much happines in your new home John and family.
Update: 12/25/2008 John says "Merry Christmas" to everyone. Mom says they're starting to get into a bit of a routine and things are starting to settle down a little. JT's home health nurse is awesome and couldn't have asked for a better match for JT.
"Even at four o'clock in the morning, JT is still good humored - even if mom isn't. He has such a beautiful spirit that I consider it an honor to be able to care for him. JT is still here, he is getting better; but most important he is happy. We are blessed to have him and are honored to be able to care for one who dedicated his life (and sacrificed his freedom) for the rest of us."
Update 2/15/2009 From Mom:
Hello friends and family,
It is with a heavy heart that I must pass on the news that JT's dad passed away. He was diagnosed with cancer in November and although he fought a tough battle, the cancer had spread throughout his body. We're thankful that Tom got to come out 2 weeks ago to be with his son one more time. JT is going to miss him terribly. Tom wasn't the best father while JT was growing up but he had really stepped up to the plate after JT became an adult. They had bonded and Tom has been a great dad over the last few years. Please pray for Tom's ascent to our Father's house and for comfort for those who loved him.
JT is doing ok. He's taking his dad's death very hard. I kept him out of therapy last week so today is his first day back. He continues to improve little, by little, by little.....
Update 03/08/2009: John's mother reports that a little over a year from his brain injury, he is making miraculous improvements. He is speaking more and more and has stated "I am a walking living testament." In addition, John's sight is beginning to return. This is such good news, he is truly an inspiration to everyone. John recently celebrated his 26th birthday with friends and family. Happy Birthday John!!
Update 7/1/2009 Latest news and excerpts from Mom: JT continues to improve on a daily basis but along with the good comes some unexpected side effects like deciding he doesn't need to sleep and "wakes up several times a night!! 'Mom, I need a drink! Mom, I'm hungry' etc., etc." She says every day is like Christmas, she is not sure what he is going to say or do, but it is all good. AND, he is seeing much more consistently now. During his vision therapy this week at the VA, he named every single item his therapist held up. TRULY WONDERFUL!!! JT has regained almost complete control of his left hand and fingers and can open his hand and put it into a fist at will. She says "He is even biting his fingernails!! I know most people wouldn't be overjoyed about that, but those of you who have been following JT's condition would understand that the motor skills required for that are huge!!" He has also been able to start using more muscles in his legs and can now push himself up in his wheelchair. Cognitively, the changes continue on a daily basis. He likes to joke a lot and make his family members break out laughing. JT's Mom says she will continue to do everything in her power to get him as good as he possibly can be and took JT out of the country to have stem cells implanted at the end of April. A second trip may be needed. JT, we are so excited about all your good news. We continue to be inspired by your fighting spirit and your amazing recovery!! Please continue to pray for JT and his family and send him cards and letters of encouragement.
Update July 16, 2009 JT was greeted at the Denver airport last night by a very large gathering of family, friends, fellow veterans, and many other fine residents of that city. THANK YOU!! His biggest wish was to get home to Denver and thank everyone for their support. It had been more than two years since some had seen him. They all came to express their appreciation for JT and to honor him for his service. JT said "I am feeling much better now, in fact I feel like a million bucks. I am alive and still think I can make a difference in this world!" JT's Mom is so grateful for everyone's support. He continues to work hard, making good progress with his rehab. Please continue to send best wishes JT's way,your words of encouragement are very meaningful for him.
Update September 13, 2009 John's aunt recently posted "Talked to Chris the other day and the one thing about JT I can report is she had him partially standing in his fancy wheelchair (it can go from sitting to standing) and she told him 'Won't it be nice when you can sit up?' He says 'I can sit up!' And he did! She's sure he's holding out on everyone. I think it's funny. So his core muscles in his abdomen are definitely improving with all the PT he's getting." Keep up the great progress JT, you continue to inspire us!! Please keep JT in your thoughts and prayers and send him best wishes.
Update 11/11/2009: JT was honored, with his family in attendance, by the Marine Corps League Detachment 061, Ocala, at their annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Honored, were Purple Heart recipients representing three generations at a banquet Saturday, November 7, 2009, celebrating the 234th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Marine Corps. "John, 26, said he joined the Marines in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. On his Marine dress blue uniform, Doody wore insignia identifying his participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. Predominant on his chest was his Purple Heart." After the other Purple Heart recipients were introduced, a cake was presented and the first piece went to the Marine who served in a paymaster's office from 1943 to 1945. According to tradition, he passed that serving to John as the youngest serving Marine in attendance.
Ooh Rah JT!! Continue your strong recovery, we are so grateful for your service.
Update: 4/6/2010 Recent information from John's Aunt tells us they've been opening up a lot of his "fan mail" and have been reading it to him and they've all enjoyed what has been sent.
As far as how he's doing, he's doing wonderful. As Chris says "his filters are definitely working" and he's handling his frustrations much, much better. He can move both his arms at will. He can open and close his left hand when he's asked to or wants to and scratches his head, nose, etc., and can even push his glasses up on his face.
He can see pretty much all the time now. He really likes having the little doggies (Bruiser and Rocky) laying on him. The cat "Socks" is pretty much HIS cat and he didn't really like cats much before his injury. Socks has changed all that.
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Date added to program: 3/12/2007
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