Soldier Blinded in Iraq Sees Opportunity

[Rose Siding]

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Doctors thought he wouldn't survive. But he hung on, and today the 22-year-old former high school wrestler smiles often as he talks about his ability to go on with his life -- often alone, with no sight and a prosthetic leg that starts 6 inches below his left knee.
...
Ross shares his old beige trailer with his dog, a golden retriever named Diesel. The home belonged to his father, who has been in jail since 1999; Ross hasn't seen his mother in years.
Cousins, an aunt and a girlfriend, Jenna, have helped him get around.

But because they all work during the day, he often stays alone in his mobile home, which sits in woods near the end of a gravel road, with few homes nearby.
Dozens of calls have not turned up any group that provides transportation for the blind in his community. Once, Ross says he walked a couple of miles into town in the rain because he was hungry and couldn't wait for help.

He says he's proud of having served, and eagerly tells stories about his days in Iraq -- traveling from city to city in long convoys, taking part in nearly 24-hour street patrols. He smiles when remembering playing baseball with other soldiers in Karbala.
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The town threw him and other soldiers a parade in August 2003. Now he's trying to see if businesses will donate money to help him achieve his goal of buying a house adapted for the handicapped.

"That's when I can go to college," says Ross, who believes if he gets the chance, he can become a lawyer.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-blinded-by-war,0,5120343.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

catostrophic success

[candy331]

1. Such a shame, hopefully he will get some help. Where are all the

support the troops folks? This man surely needs that support and urgently.

[Prodemsouth]

2. What? you mean we should do more than smile stupidly while we drive

our SUV's with yellow ribbons and patriotic slogans on the back?