Welcome

The family and friends of Cpl. Daniel C. W. Riley, USMC, welcome you to join in as we celebrate and support the life of an incredible young man, friend, son, and brother. It is with great love and with many prayers we know that Daniel will move on to great and wonderful things. God has big plans for him! Daniel was born in Victoria, BC, Canada. In 1999 his family (Dad, Mum, brothers Tristan and Aaron, & sister Elizabeth, & cat) moved to Denver, Colorado, where his dad began working for the Episcopal Church in Colorado overseeing work with children, youth, and young adults. Daniel started high school in 1999 at Columbine High School. After three years at CHS he finished his high school at Brentwood College in Canada in 2004. After which he did some college and worked in the US and Canada. Daniel enlisted (still a Canadian citizen) in US Marine Corps in 2008 to serve his new country and to help pay for a future college education. On July 4, 2009 Daniel swore in as a US citizen before the Vice-President in Sadam Hussein's old palace in Bagdad, Iraq. In September 2010 he was sent as a combat replacement for the 2/6 Marines in Marjah, Afghanistan. On December 16, 2010, Daniel was severely wounded by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). He primarily suffered severe wounds to his legs, left arm, and left lung. There were many times he was close to not making it. He has since had both legs amputated above the knee and three fingers amputated on his left hand. His lung and other injuries are healing well. Before this event and for many years to come, we know Daniel to be a loving, caring, intellegent, humourous, giving, adventurous, and deep thinking person. Keep praying! And use this blog to share your thoughts and encouragement.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Hello and thanks

Hello Everyone. This has been my first real opportunity to post something. First off thank you for all the thoughts and prayers, the suppport friends and family have given is great, I wish I could thank everyone indivdually, but time/pain/drugs/etc don't allow for that.
As for me I am doing as good as you can be after finding an IED the hard way. The medical team here has done a good job of keeping my wounds healthy and as painless as possible. The major obstacle right now (which i think my dad mentioned ) is the phantom pains in my "legs". It is just a little crazy to hurting in you feet and knowing: "wait a second I don't have feet anymore". Yesterday the pain made for a really rough day but today it seems to be better. At least I'm doing well enough to write this, but on the other hand really need to get some sleep (but that is probably me just being lazy) Hopefullly everything continues to do go well.

Daniel
Posted by at

21 comments:

  1. ABELJanuary 8, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    Love u

    ReplyDelete
  2. ColinJanuary 8, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    Daniel, it means a lot that you wrote this yourself. Your Dad's blogs have been outstanding and he is an able spokesman for you, but it feels very connecting to have you write and quite encouraging. Thsnks for taking the time to do this. Grace and peace to you. Colin

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJanuary 8, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    Daniel!!!! I'm so happy to see that you able to post on your blog!! I agree with everything Colin said - it's comforting you know that you are well enough to update on your own.

    Do you need anything? Can I send you word search/crosswords/sudoku/etc?? Please let me know if you need anything at all! You know I'm a pro at sending flat rate packages ;)

    Michelle Marta

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    Daniel,
    We have never met, although I think of you and all the other Marines out there everyday. Stay strong and keep faith in Lord, he will guide you through it all.

    Semper Fidelis,
    Another Marine

    ReplyDelete
  5. Terra MathertJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:57 PM

    Sending love and prayers...when there are no words left to say.

    Thinking about you...
    Terra and Sean

    ReplyDelete
  6. Soo HooJanuary 9, 2011 at 4:19 AM

    I really cherish the fun times we have had in the past Danny. Sending my regards from California and wishing you a speedy recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    Really appreciated your post Daniel, be assured that we and many, many, others are upholding you in prayer. We are so in awe of you and your Dad, even in the midst of all this pain and trauma you are thinking and caring for others. Your Dad is an amazing Dad, so thankful that he can be there with you.
    May the Lord continue to give you healing, strength and courage, and surround you with His loving presence.

    Love in Christ
    Ken and Joan

    ReplyDelete
  8. beanJanuary 9, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    Oh Daniel its finally you! Your dad's blog has done a lot to keep your friends sane but its awesome to see you posting. Please know that you are in my thoughts and heart. Wishing you well.
    bean*

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dana MaxJanuary 9, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    Thanks for the post Daniel. We continue to hold you and your family in our prayers! Peace, The Max Family

    ReplyDelete
  10. PaulaJanuary 9, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    So good to know you are up to writing a bit. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
    Paula (your old debate coach)

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    So good that you were able to post...
    Know that not a day goes by ....that you are not in our thoughts and prayers
    big hugs
    Love Lynn and Rick

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    Hi Daniel,
    We've never met. My name is Dara, and I'm the Director of Music at St. Matt's. My father was a Marine. Just want you to know that you have a lot of love, support, and prayers being sent your way via St. Matt's. Not only you, but your family as well. We love you all, and are holding you in prayer! What a neat tool this is to keep track of your progress and send encouragement! Semper Fi!

    Dara

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownJanuary 9, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    Daniel,

    It is truly fantastic that you're as well as you are. I continue to think of you on a daily basis - as well as my parents. If you have any questions about amputee life - don't hesitate to contact me (your dad has my e-mail address). I've had almost 32 years experience as I was born an amputee & would love the chance to help you out in any way possible.
    Keep the recovery going...you're doing GREAT!
    Prayers are with you...
    Take care

    Marnie

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    Dear Daniel,
    I am a friend of Elizabeth's. From the moment I heard the news you stay in my thoughts and prayers. You are an amazing young man. Thank you for your service. You are truly an inspiration. You have such spirit and strength. I am proud of you! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Our prayers are with you always. Keep up the tough work. Please know you have and are inspiring so many.
    All our love,
    The Hughes family

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownJanuary 10, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    Yay! So wonderful to read an update from you (not to diminish the great job your dad has been doing)! It would be great to hear more from you, whenever you feel up to writing :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. mariette and mike schusterJanuary 11, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    Thank you Daniel.


    Mariette and Mike Schuster {Abigail's parents}

    ReplyDelete
  17. juliette EberhardJanuary 11, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    Also want to say how great it is to hear from you - and affirm Neil what an awesome job you have been doing - with Daniel and with all of us - and say I am thinking of the rest of the family who are not with you now but I am sure are missing you - keep on keeping on - and we do pray for pain relief - your spirit sounds so strong which is great

    ReplyDelete
  18. Quincy the DogJanuary 12, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    It truly is a gift to hear straight from you Dan. And you sound very much like you :)

    Keep us posted as best you can and we're thinking about you 24/7 and hoping the pain subsides so you can get better and get outta there!

    Love from us

    ReplyDelete
  19. LELANDA LEEJanuary 12, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    Daniel,

    Many thanks to you for your service and your incredible fortitude to be a strength to all those who are praying for you and your family.

    Many thanks to your dad and your whole family for keeping everyone apprised of your progress.

    God's blessings on you this day and always.

    Lelanda (I've worked with your dad in the church.)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jenn ClineJanuary 15, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Daniel,
    It's great to hear from you on here! Our family has been praying like crazy for you and your family! Hope your pain is decreasing and may our Lord bless and keep you and make you a blessing for others in this next part of your journey! It would be great to catch up sometime!
    Jenn Cline

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    God bless you Daniel. You are a very brave young man surrounded by an awesome family. You are in the prayers of many of us every day.

    I remember you well from your days in Port Alberni.

    Diane Grisdale

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)