Posted on 04/05/2007 4:33:08 PM PDT by SandRat
SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo., April 5, 2007 U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Nick Bennett said hell take away lifetime memories and new discoveries from the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. He's counting on his experience here to steel him through his upcomingand 27th--surgery since he was wounded in Mamadiyah, Iraq.
But the most important takeaway of all, he said, will be his chance to prove to himself, and to his family, what he can still do despite extensive shoulder, spinal, hand and leg injuries. Bennett acknowledges hes lucky to be alive after a 107mm rocket came careening over his Indianapolis units base wall, only partially detonating. It should have flattened everything within a football fields distance, he said. While living through the blast, Bennett said a piece of him died that dayironically, Veterans Day of 2004. As he went through surgery after surgery to repair what medical officials call polytrauma injuries, it wasnt the pain or the tedious rehabilitation that troubled him the most. It was thinking about what he could no longer do. He remembered the joy he felt as a young boy playing softball with his dad, and realized he would never share that with his own children. To rob that of my kids just killed me, he said. Its easy to sit around and feel sorry for yourself and feel like your life is over. His family rallied around him and did everything they could to care of him as he went through the long, difficult healing process. In some ways, he said they tried too hard to protect him. I liken it to a flower in a flowerpot, Bennett said, turning philosophical. At first, the people who love us the most dont want to transfer us to a bigger pot. But our roots are still growing, and if we dont move into that bigger pot, were going to end up dying. Coming here to the winter sports clinic was part of Bennetts transplant into that bigger flowerpot. As he swooshed down the mountain in his adaptive ski equipment, his 17-year-old son was on the same slope, learning to snowboard. This is great because now Ive found an activity that we can do together, Bennett said. Now he sees all kinds of possibilities ahead and activities he can share with his family. Just because Im injured doesnt mean there arent things we can do together as a family, he said. Theres still a whole lot I can do. Thats a revelation Bennett knows hes sharing with other severely wounded troops and disabled veterans here, particularly those recently back from Iraq and Afghanistan. They dont have a clue how much they will change this week, or how many doors are going to open for them, he said. Three years after his injury, Bennett said hes still overwhelmed by the fragility of life. He said he knows he and the other wounded troops here still have a long road ahead as they go through the healing process and face the next step in their lives. Im taking one day at a time because nobody can predict what the future holds, Bennett said. I am going to wait and see what doors open up. As he prepares for April 13 surgery at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Bennett said hell take his experiences from the winter sports clinic along with him. This is my last big adventure for a bit, he said as he rested on the slopeside, awaiting his next run down the mountain. Thats why its pretty cool. |
Related Sites: Special Report: National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic |
WORKING WONDERS for the WOUNDED HEROES!
Thanks once again, Sandrat, you never fail to give me something to care about. In this case, it is Sgt. Nick Bennett, novice shussher! God bless this fine man and his family!
Thanks once again, Sandrat, you never fail to give me something to care about. In this case, it is Sgt. Nick Bennett, novice shussher! God bless this fine man and his family!
Prayers.
WOW!
Now THAT is a GREAT STORY!!
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