The Untouchables: Part III

[unhappycamper]

The Untouchables: Part III
April 25, 2008
Marine Corps News|by Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke

OKUMA RECREATIONAL CENTER, OKINAWA, Japan - They were there; then they were gone again. It was a short reunion for Tim and his 2nd Platoon family. There was some healing, some relief, some happiness. Then it was over. The family parted ways again. His friends looked toward another tour in Iraq, and Tim looked back toward his new life in San Diego.

Tim spent another year in rehabilitation. He made the transition from active duty and used his medical retirement income to buy a place in San Diego where he could be close to Balboa and continue his prosthetics training, the portion of his rehabilitation he has found particularly cumbersome.

"It's very difficult for above-knee, bilateral amputees," Tim says. "It's agitating watching other amputees walk after three months. I mean, I'm happy for them, but I just wish I could do it as easily."

Tim works hard at walking on his prosthetics. He makes the trip from his condominium in the east San Diego suburb of La Mesa to Balboa three or four times a week. Balancing without help of a cane is difficult. Walking is quite a chore without legs.

Getting around in general is an involved process these days. Tim's Traumatic Brain Injury causes a seizure disorder that the California Department of Motor Vehicles deems a safety risk behind the wheel, and his driver's license was suspended as a result.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/marine-corps-news/the-untouchables-part-iii.html

[mac2]

1. It's so sad. American lives destroyed while the Neo Cons

profit.

We should get out of Iraq and Afghanistan now (and the other hundreds of bases around the world where we don't belong). We are a democracy not an Empire.

Our military should be here protecting the "homeland". Our National Guard for helping during disasters, etc. The President should be impeached and tried for genocide, robbery, and treason for failing to do so.