Three years hold many ups and downs for families of the wounded.

In March of 2007, Marine Parents’ member Chris posted that her son had been injured in Iraq. He was shot in the lower leg and when he went down, he was shot again. That bullet travelled up through his leg. His fellow Marines determined where the gunfire originated and took out their target. That action, and quick medical aid, is what saved John (J.T.)’s life the first time.

He was evacuated to several intermediate hospitals and had surgeries both to stabilize him and to save his leg. Once stateside he was determined to fully recover. Physical therapy was hard but John went over and above what he needed to do because he wanted to accelerate the recovery process. By July there was a brace on the shattered leg and he was standing. The road to recovery was going to be long but he jump-started his future by taking classes and doing an internship in between therapy sessions and medical appointments.

All was going well until an infection in January 2008 sent a particle from his heart through his bloodstream that lodged in his brain. John was in a coma and Mom was asking again for prayers. He came out of the coma after 9 days but was virtually unresponsive. By June, and with the help of staff at a hospital specializing in brain trauma, his Mom thought he was beginning to see again and even though his reactions were not always correct, he was starting to communicate. Headaches were a huge hindrance to his progress.

The decision to medically retire him from the Marine Corps was made so his family threw him a retirement party in October, 2008. By Christmas that year, they were in a home specially adapted for John’s accessibility needs. It’s close to the facility where he still has treatment but he was finally able to have a place where he could be with just family.

2009 was spent continuing to progress and seek new therapies and treatments to further his recovery. It was a year with sadness. His father died in January and although they had not been close during his childhood, they had re-connected after his injury and had bonded again.

It was a year with travel, seeking treatment to help him improve functionality and cognition. There was also a trip to Colorado, where his family is from. It was the first time he’d been there since his injury and his Mom made sure his homecoming was special. For media coverage of the “Hero’s Welcome Home” John received, click here.

At the end of the year, John had more surgery and he’s been recovering. Mom recently posted that they were at church when the pastor posed a question and asked people to raise their hands if they agreed. John raised his hand and Mom was ecstatic. He moved his hand. His cognition worked enough for him to understand the question and his reaction was quick.

Yes, it’s been three years – and raising his hand to answer a question is huge. His limbs don’t work. His eyesight is not good. His Mom says the improvements are slow but they’re happening, and each success gives her cause for joy.

We salute John for his tenacity and courage – and for his service to our country. We salute Mom and the family for doing things every day and every night for his benefit. We salute you for writing encouragement to keep fueling this family with what it needs to keep going. They love hearing from you.