Next Steps

Greetings everyone. We just wanted to let you know some of the next steps for Daniel (and I). These are becoming clearer as time progresses. As you have read, Daniel has chosen to do his lengthy rehabilitation at San Diego Naval Hospital (Balboa). Given the cold and snowy weather a change to a warmer climate certainly suits me.

He will fly via an air force med-evac flight that could take anywhere between 10 to 36 hours depending on how many stops along the way. Since flight plans are classified we won't know how long it will take until we are getting on the plane (likely a C-135 or C-17). He will then end up at the hospital and be an inpatient for a bit of time (anywhere between a few days to a couple weeks) to assess him, prepare him to be wheelchair safe, train me how to assist, and make sure he is medically able to move to the outpatient mode.

Once he is an outpatient he will begin his routine for continued healing and rehabilitation. Eventually he will be working on adapting to prosthetic legs and maybe a hand prosthetics. He will also receive other services to prepare him for either a return to active duty or transition into civilian life. During this outpatient stage he remains a US Marine and will be under the Wounded Warrior Regiment. His initial housing will be within the confines of the hospital property until (and if) suitable and affordable housing is found "off-base".

The first six months will be pretty intensive. To help manage the outpatient rehabilitation stage Daniel will need, and is required, to have a Non-Medical Assistant (NMA). The NMA will live with Daniel, assist in daily living, help assure safety, and act as his personal assistant. After much prayer, discussion, and soul searching Daniel and the family has discerned that the right person for this role will be me. I will transition with Daniel to San Diego, then to his outpatient stage. This a huge decision. But, this decision was actually made 25 years ago. This decision is something I agree to do when I become a parent - for our family there really is no other choice. This is what it means to be family.

Julia and I (and our children) know that this will mean a great deal of sacrifice and we do not fully see what this means for us all. But, we are confident that the decision is the right one and that the Lord God will be there for us. It does not mean that we are not scared. I do not doubt that Abraham left his home to an unknown place without a measure fear. I am sure that Moses (with all due respect to Cecille B DeMill and Charlton Heston) moved ahead with more than just a little anxiety when following the path chosen for him. I do not dare to compare myself to them - that is sheer foolishness. But, I am confident there are many many witnesses to trusting God in the midst of the unknown that are never recorded in Scripture or spoke about in coffee houses.

I have sought advice and a week ago I informed my work (The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado and Cathedral Ridge) that I will need to take advantage of the provisions of the Federal Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for families of combat-related injured servicemen. This allows me 26 weeks of un-paid leave from my job (starting Monday), continued medical insurance coverage during that time, and my job (or one of equivilent seniority) when I return. I am still waiting a formal response from the bishop and the diocese.

Daniel is doing okay. Some ups and downs throughout the last week, but always progressing towards healing and restoration. He is unplugged from all the tubes, getting around more in his wheelchair, and looking forward to the next stage. Daniel and I are also almost finished watching the most recent season of The Amazing Race. We both really enjoy the show and, God willing, plan to get on the show and race around the world (& win!).

Thanks again for all the mail, care packages, prayers, and support. Please continue to pray for Daniel and for Julia (still healing from surgery), Tristan (going to Marine boot camp in April), Aaron (graduating high school this year), Elizabeth & Justin. We will need your prayers over the next few months.

Neil (Dad)