FORT CARSON, Colo. - When the pressure plate beneath him activated the landmine that launched him 10 feet into the air, Army Sgt. Ryan McIntosh was forced into a brief state of unconsciousness. He came to just in time to see the ground of Afghanistan rush up to meet him.
McIntosh said it all happened quickly: the explosion, the shouting of his fellow Soldiers, the initial treatment, the air-lift to Kandahar for surgery, and waking up to find his right leg had been amputated below the knee. He recalls the sinking worry that his yet unborn son would be born to a father who couldn't be the active coach and mentor his own father was to him.
To see McIntosh on the week before the 2013 Warrior Games, less than three years after his injury, one might not guess he ever doubted his physical ability. Already a four-time Warrior Games medalist, McIntosh has proven a formidable and determined Soldier athlete. McIntosh will be competing this year in the field, track, swimming, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball events.
When taking stock of his achievements and triumphs over injury, McIntosh acknowledges that the road from injury to recovery wasn't easy. He recalls the day he woke after the surgery.
"The worst part was calling my wife and telling her about it. It really hit home when I actually had to say the words, 'I'm an amputee, I've lost a leg,'" said McIntosh. "I never thought I'd have to live my life without one of my legs. It's taken a little bit of time to overcome the obstacles I've had to overcome, but I'm feeling pretty close to where I was before."
After returning to the U.S., McIntosh began rehabilitation. He was later found unfit for duty after his physical evaluation board and was nearly medically retired. With his hallmark determination, McIntosh appealed to his leadership to let him stay and serve.
"I went to my colonel and told him I really wanted to stay in the fight. I still wanted to be a Soldier and serve my country," said McIntosh. "I only had seven months in the Army before I got hurt."
Soon after working with his leadership to retain his active-duty status, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and appointed as non-commissioned officer in charge of adaptive sports at the Fort Sam Houston Warrior Transition Battalion, Texas. There he plans and facilitates adaptive sports for the nearly 780 wounded Soldiers of the WTB.
He credits a large amount of his success to the love and support of his family, the challenge of adaptive sports, and a little bit of inborn competitiveness. The Rifle, Colorado native lives with his wife, Hanna; son, Kaden; and daughter, Grace. Since his involvement in adaptive sports and rehabilitation with the WTB, McIntosh doesn't worry about his future or how his injury will limit his ability as a husband, father or Soldier.
"Honestly, I was in a dark place at the beginning when I lost my leg, but deep down I knew myself and my competitiveness and all the drive I've had in my life before injury, so I knew I could use it in my life after injury to help push me through," said McIntosh. "Any able-bodied sport I used to play, I still play. It hasn't limited me so when my son gets to the point where he wants to try sports and have a coach, I feel like I can definitely help and be like my father was to me."
Related Links:
U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command Warrior Games Web Page
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