Viral photo: American soldier smiles on the battlefield after his leg and hands are b

[Sammyboy RSS Feed]

An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

VIRAL PHOTO: AMERICAN SOLDIER SMILES ON THE BATTLEFIELD AFTER HIS LEG AND HANDS ARE BLOWN OFF


.node-article .field-name-ad-box-in-article {float: left;margin: 15px 15px 10px 0;}.node-article .field-tags{clear: both;} Post date:
5 Jul 2014 - 6:30pm








US Marine Gunnery Sergeant Brian Meyer was deployed as a bomb technician in Afghanistan in 2011 when the device he was defusing exploded prematurely.
The then 29-year-old Marine was ripped apart by the blast. He lost his right leg above the knee, his right hand above the wrist and three fingers of his left hand.
While still receiving treatment on the battlefield, Sgt Meyer, fearful of the impact his injuries would have on his squad, ordered Eric Lunson to take his photograph. Forcing a smile through the pain, Sgt Meyer, raised what would have earlier been a thumbs' up as the shutter clicked. The photograph, Sgt Meyer hoped, would provide inspiration for his men as he began his own battle with recovery.



























Marine Gunnery Sergeant Brian Meyer bravely smiled for the camera after he lost his right leg above the knee, his right hand above the wrist and three fingers on his left hand after a bomb he was defusing in 2011 exploded, left, Sgt Meyer has rebuilt his life, right, and now works counselling fellow veterans who suffered terrible injuries




Sgt Meyer, has retired from the Marines however, he continues to undergo pioneering medical treatment from Navy Commander Peter Shumaker, right at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California. The special laser, pictured, softens scar tissue on Sgt Meyer's arm allowing him greater movement and less pain




Sgt Meyer said he did not want special ramps fitted to his home or be confined to a wheelchair, instead he vowed to walk again and maintain an active lifestyle


Since the War on Terror and the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, almost 2,000 US troops have lost one or more limbs as a result of combat injuries. Now, the Naval Health Research Center has embarked on a six-year study, to help wounded warriors rebuild their lives.
So far, 1,500 personnel have signed up to the Wounded Warrior Recovery Project, however, the Navy wants to increase that figure to 10,000. In addition to the amputees, a further 50,000 people have suffered serious combat injuries while deployed in either Iraq or Afghanistan. A staggering 16,000 of them would not have survived in an earlier conflict.
Doctors say a positive attitude is key to recovery, so the study will also examine mental resilience and why some troops have it and others don't. It will rely on Web-based, telephone and mailed surveys conducted every six months about mobility, ability to function and social activity.
The aim of the study is to review how veterans cope and enjoy life after suffering debilitating injuries such as Sgt Meyer. It is expected to last six years and will help understand how the injured personnel's quality of life impacts their long-term care.
Troops such as Sgt Meyer are pushing military medicine to find better ways to accommodate such a large population of young, severely disabled combat veterans who want to maintain an active lifestyle. Many wear out their prosthetic limbs in a matter of months doing everything from mountain climbing to running marathons.

Read the rest of the article here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz36aX1y1CF


Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com.