Transformis

Honestly it's just an automatic reaction after all the training we receive and practice we do. I'm also a medic that was blown up, and without even thinking, my training took over and shit got done. I actually don't even have much memory of what I did but everyone else around me who was conscious said I was barking orders and getting people fixed up.

I'd recommend contacting the Warrior Transition Command. The US Army has Warrior Transition Battalions which are responsible for the care and transition (to civilian or back into military service) of injured and ill soldiers.

Specifically, each battalion should have a point of contact who organizes MWR (Morale, Welfare & Recreation) events for their soldiers. I am currently in one of these battalions and we have a calendar of events every month with stuff like this on it. I'm at JBLM, Washington, so many of our MWR events involve outdoors type stuff. Fishing trips, a weekly fly-tying session, therapeutic horseback riding, etc. Your idea would fit right in.

And from a soldier with PTSD, thanks for doing this. It helps so much to have something on your calendar to look forward to.

Maybe he's been arrested.

I'm assuming you're American?

An Afghani is a unit of currency.

An Afghan is a person from Afghanistan.

I don't have a spinal fusion, but I do have an ankle fusion so I can sort of relate with regards to not being able to move something the way it used to.

I was in a vehicle that ran over an IED in Afghanistan. My calcaneus (heel bone) was obliterated along with the cartilage above it. My ankle had to be permanently fused to prevent crippling arthritis as I got older.

I was in a wheel chair with my foot elevated for several months after the reconstructive surgery because it hurt so bad to lower my foot below waist level. I graduated to crutches for another few months, then a cane for several more. I did physical therapy in a pool for about six months.

This all began in June of 2011. Since then I've gone on to clock over 1,000 miles of bicycling and this year alone I've done over 100 miles of backpacking in the Pacific Northwest. I'm also in the gym five days a week lifting weights.

I will never run again, but that hasn't stopped me from enjoying the fuck out of life.