It is a testament to their courage that each of them has not only overcome these wounds, but has gone beyond what most people thought was possible. Many of them have dedicated themselves to showing fellow wounded warriors the way as mentors, some have gone back to active duty to continue serving our country. 

This week’s profile features a women who has participated in each of the R2R program events. She has come a long way in a short amount of time. Her unique story is told here. 

Smiling Patty on the way to finish of East Coast ride 

U..S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Patricia S. Collins was a remarkable soldier and athlete long before her life was changed forever.  Since that day, she has exceeded her own high standards. 

“Patty” is a distinguished paratrooper with hundreds of jumps to her credit.  She is also the mother of Gabe, an energetic three-year-old whose smile is the mirror of his mom’s.  An avid cyclist, swimmer and runner, she carries herself with the sure posture of a career military officer. 

She has also served her country well, including two special duty missions in Iraq.

 
First time we met…

Upon her return from her last Iraq tour, Patty was cycling with friends when she was struck by a car. Her left leg was severely damaged and later had to be amputated below her knee. 

An accident like that would knock down the faith and future of anyone, but Patty has soldiered on with even more dedication to serving her country, her family and her athletic pursuits. 

Patty was drawn to Road 2 Recovery because she had been down that road herself. Riding with R2R made her realize that “although I may not ride as strong as I used to, the same feelings and endorphins and camaraderie with fellow cyclists is the same as it ever was, and it’s really nice to have that back.  It gave me confidence to continue to dream of physical challenges again.”

 
Patty with her new cycling leg

A veteran of R2R’s epic San Francisco to Los Angeles ride in 2008, Patty is enthusiastic about the great people she’s met on the road and in the countless meetings that help the program expand to meet the needs of those who have given their nation so much.

“As a veteran, Road 2 Recovery has given me a sense of belonging and brotherhood with those who are experiencing or have experienced similar injuries/rehab struggles, etc., to show recovering people what positive things may lie ahead for them. If they can show themselves they can complete these rides, the sky is the limit.

Riding with Vietnam vet Jim Penseyres

“As a supporter of our troops, seeing the tenacity of what a service-members can overcome is an inspiration and showing them how supportive and patriotic Americans can be, is a refreshing experience of the goodness and humanity of my fellow men and women.”

If you want to meet Patty, she’s likely to show up on the local mountain bike trails, running paths, climbing walls or R2R ride.  She’s the one with the big smile.

For more info see: TheRoad2Recovery.org, and join us on Facebook

It is a testament to their courage that each of them has not only overcome these wounds, but has gone beyond what most people thought was possible. Many of them have dedicated themselves to showing fellow wounded warriors the way as mentors, some have gone back to active duty to continue serving our country. 

This week’s profile features someone from the famous 101^st Airborne who went to Iraq as part of the initial invasion and then went back and was injured in an IED attack in Iraq. 

The email came in just like so many before that…

Dear Road 2 Recovery,   I am in injured veteran, my left arm and left leg were lost during my second deployment to Iraq with the 101st out of Ft. Campbell Ky. I stumbled across your site while trying to find any information on trying to receive a bicycle through the VA.

Because I lost my arm above the elbow, a hand-cycle would not benefit me at all. The Birmingham VA here in Al that I receive my care was very excited to assist me in getting a bicycle. I met with therapists, doctors, and other that were involved in the decision that a bicycle would greatly assist me both physically and mentally. 

The emailer was Sgt. Noah Galloway and he is an inspiration to us all. He served two deployments to Iraq, during the second deployment he almost lost his life. 

Sgt. Galloway

Noah was assigned to the 1^st of the 502^nd Infantry of the 101^st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  As an infantry soldier, he was one of the few elite soldiers who would serve as front line ground troops during a time of war. 

In 2003, Noah fought in the initial strike on Iraq and spent one year fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom, which he says got him “hooked” and from that moment he knew he wanted to return.  “I loved my job as an infantry soldier,” says Noah.  “In the first year I was there, I saw the difference and progress we were making.  I could not wait to return.  Just the thought of going back thrilled me.”  In September 2005, Noah was finally redeployed to Iraq and just three months later, he suffered a life changing injury. 

On December 19, 2005, Noah lost his left arm above the elbow and left leg above the knee in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack in Yusafiah, Iraq.  He was quickly transported to Germany to receive medical treatment and was unconscious for five days.  Noah woke up late in the evening on Christmas Eve to find out he had lost two of his limbs and also sustained several injuries to his remaining leg and his jaw.  Noah was then transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.  Not only was he faced with the overwhelming challenge of his recovery and learning to live life as a double amputee, after just two weeks at Walter Reed, Noah suffered yet another loss – his wife of four years left him.

Noah taking his first steps 

Moving beyond the emotional scars, Noah focused all his energy on his physical recovery and used the support of his fellow injured soldiers at Walter Reed as inspiration.  “All of us were raised in different towns with different families, but we were all servicemen and women who put our all into what we did and now each of us faced a different life ahead than the one we left before we went to combat,” says Noah.  “Whether is was a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, blindness, loss of a limb or some other kind of injury, we were all trying to find out who we were now that we were out in our communities with our new bodies, new mindsets and new lives.” 

Noah has found that being physically active has been vital to both his physical and emotional recovery. It was this realization that inspired him to send the email. 

In January of this year, Galloway received his new bicycle from Road 2 Recovery. He has set it up and will be taking part in the Don’t Mess with Texas Challenge starting on March 30 at the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio. Galloway is one of the arm-use injury participants that will receive the new Shimano Electronic Shifting System (ESS). This ESS will allow wounded warriors to have a greatly enhanced riding experience. Rather than have to use their good wrist to control all shifting and braking, the new ESS only needs one to push a button to control all front and rear shifting. 

To help others, Noah recruits his fellow injured veterans for activities as diverse as kayaking, water skiing, shooting, and driving ATVs. “Some of them think it isn’t for them, but when I tell them my story, it makes a difference,” Noah said. “They need to see that life doesn’t end after an injury.” 

Gotta get Riding… 

Noah remarried in 2007 and he and his wife Tracy  have a 1yr old son, Jack, with one more on the way, and he has a 4 year-old son, Colston, from his previous marriage.  He and his family reside in Alabaster, Alabama. 

Spending a short amount of time with him, hearing his stories and seeing pictures of his humvee after the explosion it’s amazing what he lived through.  For such a young guy to be so willing to put his life on the line and continue to say he would go back if he could… He is like the tens of  thousands who are willing to fight for our country. Whether or not you agree with the war is not the point, the point is we should all make sure we tell those serving how proud we are of their efforts… Thank you, Sgt. Galloway.

For more Info see: TheRoad2Recovery.org, and join us on Facebook