I remember this story from when it first came out. McNaughton has a new career and is now an inspiration to others. I could not have been more proud of McNaughton or President Bush when this photo came out.
Posted on 06/18/2007 5:23:03 AM PDT by RDTF
MARIETTA, Ga. - Mike McNaughton, a soldier who lost his right leg in a mine explosion in Afghanistan, was still in the early stages of recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center when he received a visit from President Bush. ''I told him one day I'll outrun him,'' McNaughton said. ''He said, 'When you feel better, let me know.'"
McNaughton took the president at his word, and 14 months later the two ran a mile together on property surrounding the White House, even though McNaughton was still adjusting to running with his new prosthesis.
He recalled that run Friday, noting his well-timed hospital visit, as he participated in the Amputee Coalition of America's annual conference, which highlighted the Military Amputee Peer Visitation program. McNaughton is among more than 100 veterans who participate in the program at the Walter Reed facility in Washington, the Brooke Army Center in San Antonio and the Naval Medical Center San Diego.
''I saw the president and 14 months later I ran with him, so I had a little more motivation,'' McNaughton said of his recovery. ''After that I found, I guess, my true calling. That's when I started talking to more soldiers and amputees in general.''
A photo of McNaughton running with Bush became instant motivation for other amputees.
''From that photo, a lot of people took that and used it for their benefit,'' McNaughton said. ''I decided I'll use it to my advantage to help people like myself.''
McNaughton, 35, retired from the Army and works as a resource specialist for the Department of Homeland Security in Baton Rouge, La., where he assisted recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina. He also founded a support group for amputees.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
ping
Thank you for posting such a heart warming story and picture.....
I’m not sure who is in this picture, but I think it is a different amputee than Mike McNaughton, who was a single, not double, amputee. This in no way diminishes McNaughton’s story; instead it establishes this as a general statement: These guys don’t quit!
Good story, really stupid title.
Makes it sound like he lost his leg intentionaly, just so he could help other amputees.
Thanks, you are right. I’ll do some searching.
Motivating.
Surprised that this excellent story is on MSNBC
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