Courtesy Photo | Spc. Joshua Fortin, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii WTB plans strategic moves with his team...... read more read more
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Don’t tell me I can’t!
By: MaryTherese Griffin, Warrior Care and Transition
FORT BLISS, Texas – Spc. Joshua Fortin was always an active kind of kid. Soccer and skateboarding were his main sports. When he grew up, an Army career was the logical choice, as his father and two brothers currently serve, as did his grandfathers and uncles before him. The Warwick, Rhode Island native joined the Army in April 2011 and deployed to the United Arab Emirates in 2013 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. A deployment that would change his life forever.
“I had injured my knee while deployed and it’s believed that because of pretty much blowing off help and me overcompensating, it just got worse,” said Fortin.
The injured knee turned out to be the least of his problems. His over compensation began to cause problems in his hip. For an active outdoorsman and a cannon crew member this was an issue. “It turned out I had a torn labrum in my hip and some growths on the bone that were causing issues with my daily life.”
Fortin needed to have hip surgery and then undergo intense physical therapy in order to recover. Even after completing all that, doctors did not think the outcome would be positive.
“I felt like giving up…until I got to the [Warrior Transition Battalion]. I was being told that I was going to be [medically retired] if I couldn’t get better. Then I came to the WTB and now I’m going to return to duty. I have also gotten my “P” (promotable) status while in the WTB.”
Now Fortin is at the 2018 Army Trials competing in air rifle, track, cycling and wheelchair basketball. He is beyond appreciative to have the chance to earn a spot on Team Army and compete at the Department of Defense Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo.
“The WTB is a great way to build confidence in yourself. As an injured Soldier, you can feel useless. The adaptive reconditioning program has helped me out big time along with physical therapy. I can strongly say that I wouldn’t be where I am without ARP, their representatives and the physical therapists we have at the WTB. They are a big reason I am where I am.”
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 02.28.2018 16:34 |
| Story ID: | 267619 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 425 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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