Staff Sgt. Justin Callison brushes Sterling as part of a Soldier adaptive therapy program in the local community of Fort Bliss. This portion of the therapy, called Equine Facilitated Learning, was a little break for athletes competing in the Army Trials in early April. VIEW ORIGINAL
FALLS CHURCH, Va.- After 14 years in the Army Reserve, Staff Sgt. Justin Callison learned many things, not the least of which is setting the example. “You always want to be there, motivate the troops you lead, and set a positive outlook. The troops see you doing it, whatever it is,” said Callison.
He had an accident during a deployment to Iraq last year with the 716th Engineering Company. “There was a lot of activity in the area of operation, and during one of those events, with all the alarms going off, I was carrying a 100lb bag of concrete on my shoulder. I slipped and fell, hurting my hip.”
He recovered at the Fort Campbell Soldier Recovery Unit. “I had a torn labrum in my hip. My surgery was this past January, and they put a few anchors in the labrum and shaved the femoral head. It’s been a painful injury, but I am making progress,” said the bridge crewmember.
He takes his time at the SRU very seriously, not only for his recovery but also for those he is in charge of, who see what he is doing. “I don’t want them to think this injury just caused me to lie low and not ever get back to it.”
He more than got back to it. Callison embraced the help offered at the Fort Campbell SRU and lauds the Cadre on his journey to better health.
“There is a great staff at the Fort Campbell SRU. 'Wreck it Robyn' or Robyn Womac, is our recreational therapist, and she is my favorite! She’s the reason I went to the Army Trials. I gained a lot of weight with this injury, and I wasn’t able to do as much. Getting there with Robyn showed me I could keep going while accommodating my injury. She showed me about core strength training, and it's helped me so much.”
Taking advantage of the many adaptive reconditioning events is something Callison shares with newer Soldiers when they come into the SRU. He says it's like putting together a puzzle, connecting the activity with the road to recovery. “Build a team around you. Take advantage of what they offer, and you can get through your injury or illness with the SRU.”
Callison encourages all soldiers to be proactive about their health. “If you think something is wrong, research that injury or illness and make sure you get a diagnosis. Don’t put your head down. Keep striving forward and be existent.” By which he means to be present.
Keeping a positive attitude, he says, is crucial. Always the jokester, Callison is thankful for the joy gene he possesses. “I usually divert to humor to overcome any obstacle, but of course, there is a time and place for everything. I will admit, humor has gotten me through a lot.”
In all seriousness, Callison wants to show that if you embrace the help being offered at the SRU, you will come out better than you went in. “Work hard, be positive, and set an example for the next person.”
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