With the flash of a roadside bomb, everything that Kortney Clemons had ever known changed. As a U.S. Army medic in Iraq, he was a week away from returning home when the blast took his right leg above the knee.
Just as thousands of Haitians a world away are grappling with the traumatic loss of a limb and a sudden shift in identity, so are U.S. soldiers who fought in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
With more soldiers surviving their wounds thanks to medical advances, they're now living with the loss of limbs at a greater rate than in any U.S. conflict, except for the Persian Gulf War, according to the Department of Defense.
As of July 2009, 1,112 American soldiers sustained an amputation in the Iraq war; 112 in the Afghanistan conflict, according to the DOD's most recent count.
Over the next week, amputee veterans will be recounting their experiences in their own words, sharing what it means to live, as thousands of Haitians now do, after a sudden amputation leaves them facing a future they'd never imagined.
Kortney Clemons, a 29-year-old veteran of the Iraq war, begins our series. Clemons won first place in the 100-meter sprint in the 2008 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships. He currently trains full time at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., as part of the Paralympic Track & Field Resident Team, in hopes of qualifying for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. His right leg was amputated above the knee when he was 25.
By Kortney Clemons, with Linda Dahlstrom
I wear a bracelet with three names on it; they call it a hero bracelet. I haven't taken it off since I got it a few years ago. On it are the names of the guys I was with who lost their lives at the same time I lost my leg: 1st Lt. Jason Timmerman, Staff Sgt. David Day and Sgt. Jesse Lhotka.
It happened on Feb. 21, 2005. I'd been in Iraq for more than a year with my Army unit and was going to be heading back to the U.S. in the next week or so. We were training the soldiers who would take our place and so we were out showing them the community. On the way back home, we came to a vehicle with American soldiers that had hit gravel and flipped over. We stopped by to help out; I'm a medic and there was one guy who was injured pretty bad.
They had already called in a Medevac, but we wanted to be sure so we called another one. I'm grateful we did because that was the one that airlifted me later.
We got the guy on the stretcher and were in the road when an IED [improvised explosive device] exploded. We lost three guys, the three I was helping out. I lost my leg above the knee, but I didn't know it then. I did know everyone was paying a lot of attention to me and so I figured something was really wrong.
I remember lying there looking up into the blue sky and wondering what would happen. I wasn't in a lot of pain; I think my body was in shock. The last thing I remember before I passed out was the Black Hawk landing and the sand hitting me in the face.
When I woke up I was at the American hospital in Landstuhl, Germany - it was maybe two days after my injury. I woke up and looked down. I realized I didn't see my right foot sticking up under the sheet like it did on the left side, so I kind of knew then but I was hoping it was a dream and if I lay back and woke up again, my leg would be there.
A nurse was there and my cousin was there. She'd been working in a hospital in Iraq and they'd let her fly with me to Germany. They told me I was in a real bad accident.
I was real sad. After the military, I'd looked forward to going back to school and playing football again like I had in high school and junior college. I'd never known anyone with an amputation. At time I felt like, "Why do I have to go through this? Why couldn't I have just passed away at side of road?"
My platoon sergeant, who was with me when I got hit and had multiple fractures to his leg, was at the hospital. He told me we lost three guys that day and I realized I was really, really fortunate to be alive. I felt like I was set aside and given a second chance. That's one of those things that give me my drive.
I never looked under the covers at my leg until it was time to go back to the United States. A friend who was stationed at Landstuhl was like, "Man, man you should look under the covers to make sure you can be strong for your family."
So, I raised the covers, looked under there, laid my head back down and began to wonder where am I going to go from here? My right leg was all bandaged from amputation and my left leg was also injured pretty badly by the IED.
I spent the next 10 months at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas. An organization flew my parents and my 8-year-old daughter to come see me from Mississippi. I was really happy to see my family after all the stuff I'd been through. My daughter was really afraid though. She thought she was going to hurt me. I told her it was going to be OK.
I got my prosthetic in April, a few months after I got hit. Learning to use it was very difficult. I'd been walking with my own legs for 25 years. With this one, I had to worry about falling. The knee would buckle. It took me a while to master it.
When I first lost my leg, I think it changed me in a bad way. I didn't know how to deal with it and I got angry. Now it's teaching me patience and how to enjoy life.
As a dad, you want to be able to play football with your son and hang out with your daughter. Now Daytriona is 13 and the only thing she cares about it if I can walk with her in the mall, and if I can hold her clothes that she's trying on. I go hang out with her; we go to theme parks and experience everything.
As time goes on, well, it's still fresh to me because I deal with it every day. It's not like I healed up and I went on with my business. Every day I put my leg on I'm like, "OK, those guys aren't here. I need to make the most of it."
When I was at Brooke, the Paralympics did a clinic to try to get us guys interested in life and to show us that even though you're missing an arm or a leg you can still participate in recreational activities. I saw a guy like myself running on a track. At the time I could barely walk, but I kept at it.
The first time I ran was awesome. I took off running and began to feel the wind in my face and I felt free.
Since then, I've had a chance to represent my country in the Paralympics and graduated from Penn State University with a degree in therapeutic recreation. I always knew I wanted to help people - that's why I joined the Army as a medic.
The hardest part wasn't learning to walk again, the hardest part was getting past the self-pity and the "why me?" phase. Your mindset really determines what you're going to do and who you are. You have to either get busy living or get busy dying.
I want people in Haiti to know there's still life after amputation. They can still have a family, still have goals, still have ambitions. I didn't choose to be an amputee and they didn't choose to be amputees. But I can still contribute to society. Society needs people with disabilities to contribute.
We all serve a purpose. We're all part of something that is lots bigger than us.
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Thank you, Kortney, for serving your country. Thank you, Linda, for bringing his story to us.
to kortney clemons and family: first - thank you for your military service. may god bless you and your family forever.
Kortney...you give me so much hope for the future and a brighter day. Peace be with you.
A Marine Mom
Great story! Thank you for Linda, for posting this. Thank you Kortney, for sharing your story. You never know what the human mind and body can endure until you experience something like this. It is so great to hear what you have achieved despite your setback. Congrats on your achievements and good luck in your training!!!
Danielle, Maryland.
Inspirational! Thank you for your service, your sacrifice and for sharing your story.
My sentiments exactly.
I pray you will continue to be blessed.
Thank You
May thanks to you and all of the soldiers or "war fighters" for all that you do to protect and defend our country. We as citizens can't imagine what you experience not only being away from your family, but being a witness to so many casualties. As citizens we tend to forget all of the scarifies that you make to keep us safe. May God continue to bless you, keep you strong and give you the strength do endure anything that comes your way. He still has a purpose for your life, otherwise you wouldn't be here. You and the many other soldiers will always be in our prayers. You are AWESOME!!! Keep your head high and RUN!!!
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kortney. It is sad but uplifting. I copied the statement you made regarding ones mindset and getting busy living or dying and posted it on my wall. I am not sure what I am going to do with it but I hope is serves to keep myslef and others motivated. May God Bless and keep you.
thank you kortney from me and all my freinds and family. it is a very difficult phase in your life but have faith in yourself and your loved ones,you are deffinatley a hero and good soldier, god bless, watsonville, ca.
God bless you. I respect you so much for your attitude. I do agree- we are all part of something bigger and we all need eachother. I am so thank ful that you didin't give up.
Jessica
50womenblog.org
Kortney, thank you for sharing your inspirational story. It is a tribute to your courage and to the soldiers who died that day. Your life is a beacon of hope to all who struggle to transcend suffering.
Thanks very much for what you have done in the name of peace on earth. May God bless you and heal you in ways you never thought possible
Thank you so much, you really helped me to be grateful for what I do have, I was sitting here mad because I didin't hit the lottery today, wondering what I should do, I know what to do now, pray and thank God, because he has something better than the lottery for me. I'm alive, I'm well, in my right mind, and thanks be to God I'm sober today,for 13 years, Thank you so much for sharing, keep on keeping on may God bless you.
God is good. Im just glad you are back and still upright.
Thanks for your service and sacrifice Kortney. Good luck qualifying for 2012.
This is such an inspirational story and your courage is impressive. Great lesson for all of us complaining about little things in life and missing the big picture. God bless you and your family and keep living like a champion that you are.
Thank you, Kortney, for your sober but still grateful and hopeful story. It's pretty humbling to read about such selfless and heroic service when it's written about with such modesty.
Look at it this way: This man is the epitome of a true soldier. He has went against all odds. Now he has to go through his life's path maimed. He seemed to be doing ok, for he has earned first place in fast competitive challenges. I implore this true hero, a true patriot and I know he has a place in the heart and minds of many citizen of the great country.
I salute you Kortney Clemons for surving your country and trying to help the people that passed away that fateful day! It is too bad that the parents of kids don't always raise there kids to not humiliate people with physical limitations because that is where it all starts. I am a person who has lived with a physical impairement all my life (limp from surgery as a child) and has had to deal with every person always gawking or making a incensitive remark in my presence. I still ask myself the question "Why me?". It has made my life extremely difficult to deal with but I am a firm believer in the LORD MY GOD! and I trust in his wisdom. Maybe it is that which keeps my going as I am currently a programmer for an IT company and have managed to do well. I have a been married and have a wonderful son who had always wanted to join the army but couldn't due to diabetes type I. I usually am very positive and try to do the righteous thing and usually feel normal until I see a person gawking or hear them saying something derogatory about my condition. I am striving to be the best person I can be and hope there is a better future for all mankind! Stay positive DUDE and never forget you are not alone!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kortney. You're an inspiration and a symbol of what is still right with our nation.
God Bless you Kortney and ALL our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Marines
Kortney, God Bless you and thank you for your sacrifice to the Armed Forces to keep us (Americans) safe. Thank you! There are those who have both limbs and because of life's unfair circumstances, they have given up. So, not just to those in similar circumstances, but to all who face life challenges which at times, can be unbearable, you are a beacon of hope and life. This may not make sense, but sometimes life's tragedies can be the thing that catapults us into our destiny if we have the right attitude. Look at how your life has touched so many. Peace and blessings to you and your family.
Thank you so much for serving our Country...my prayers go with you.
Thanks Kortney for your present attitude in life...You can give to those who are in the same situation and be proud of it, too.
I'm thinking of those men who lost their lives at the same time you lost your leg. You are giving hope to the families of those soldiers who's time was over that tragic day. You are alive because the good Lord has a plan for your life. Seek Him out...He is waiting for you...
Kortney, you are truly an inspriation. Thank you for serving our country. God's speed.
Thank you so, very, much.