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Well done Sgt. Caldwell and well done Brit Army - shared with the usual disclaimer...
Soldier paralysed in Afghanistan back on duty
Thomas Harding, The Telegraph (UK), 29 Dec 07
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A paratrooper who was shot in Afghanistan has become the first tetraplegic to return to duty.
Sgt David "Paddy" Caldwell was directing mortar fire from a rooftop in Sangin in August last year when a Taliban bullet passed through his neck.
Another soldier, Cpl Karl Jackson, was awarded the Military Cross for pulling him back while under enemy fire, allowing his platoon sergeant to have surgery within the crucial "golden hour".
He received further treatment at Birmingham's Selly Oak hospital but was paralysed from the neck down and told his chances of recovery were slim. The AK47 bullet severely damaged his spine, sending it into shock and causing an injury called C4 Incomplete.
"I joined the army to serve for 22 years in the Parachute Regiment - so it was hard then.
I thought 'this might be it, I might be disabled for the rest of my life'," said the 32-year-old.
However, after a few days he detected "one of the best sights I have seen in a long time" - a wiggle in his big toe. It was the first step on a long road which, with the paratrooper's extraordinary determination, might see him walk again.
Although still confined to a wheelchair, he has recovered enough movement to be given a job with 3 Para in Colchester as the senior NCO helping to run the unit's welfare office. "It is going to be a long, long process - potentially I could make a full miracle recovery," he said.
"But every day is a bonus because I'm feeling stronger mentally and physically."
Sgt Caldwell spent several weeks at a specialist spine unit in Stanmore, sharing a ward with car crash victims, some of whom were in line for compensation of £2 million.
He has received £200,000 from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, as well as a war pension, but insists the money is not important to him. "To be honest I would rather be in the red every month and be on my feet," he said.
Lt Col Stuart Tootal, the commanding officer of 3 Para, said: "Sgt Caldwell has been something of a trail-blazing test case for the Army and lots of people have worked very hard to get Paddy what he deserves.
"His courage and determination to succeed has been quite humbling and all of us in 3 Para are enormously proud of him."
Sgt Caldwell's colleagues helped to ensure he received the support he required from a system which was not designed to cater for his injuries. An Army home has been refurbished at a cost of £100,000 and the local NHS Trust has agreed to pay for full-time carers.
Sgt Caldwell added: "Everyone's really helped in the battalion and I hope other regiments are doing the same thing looking after their wounded."
Although engaged, he refuses to marry until he can walk at least a few paces down the aisle.
"It's going to be hard," he said. "There's two ways of looking at it, you can either sit on your backside and blame the world and be miserable or just crack on."
3 Para has set up a fund to help its 26 wounded soldiers.
Cheques can be made payable to the Afghanistan Trust and sent to 3 Para, Hyderabad Barracks, Mersea Rd, Colchester CO2 7TB, or paid into account no. 10548799, sort code 16-19-26.
Soldier paralysed in Afghanistan back on duty
Thomas Harding, The Telegraph (UK), 29 Dec 07
Article link
A paratrooper who was shot in Afghanistan has become the first tetraplegic to return to duty.
Sgt David "Paddy" Caldwell was directing mortar fire from a rooftop in Sangin in August last year when a Taliban bullet passed through his neck.
Another soldier, Cpl Karl Jackson, was awarded the Military Cross for pulling him back while under enemy fire, allowing his platoon sergeant to have surgery within the crucial "golden hour".
He received further treatment at Birmingham's Selly Oak hospital but was paralysed from the neck down and told his chances of recovery were slim. The AK47 bullet severely damaged his spine, sending it into shock and causing an injury called C4 Incomplete.
"I joined the army to serve for 22 years in the Parachute Regiment - so it was hard then.
I thought 'this might be it, I might be disabled for the rest of my life'," said the 32-year-old.
However, after a few days he detected "one of the best sights I have seen in a long time" - a wiggle in his big toe. It was the first step on a long road which, with the paratrooper's extraordinary determination, might see him walk again.
Although still confined to a wheelchair, he has recovered enough movement to be given a job with 3 Para in Colchester as the senior NCO helping to run the unit's welfare office. "It is going to be a long, long process - potentially I could make a full miracle recovery," he said.
"But every day is a bonus because I'm feeling stronger mentally and physically."
Sgt Caldwell spent several weeks at a specialist spine unit in Stanmore, sharing a ward with car crash victims, some of whom were in line for compensation of £2 million.
He has received £200,000 from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, as well as a war pension, but insists the money is not important to him. "To be honest I would rather be in the red every month and be on my feet," he said.
Lt Col Stuart Tootal, the commanding officer of 3 Para, said: "Sgt Caldwell has been something of a trail-blazing test case for the Army and lots of people have worked very hard to get Paddy what he deserves.
"His courage and determination to succeed has been quite humbling and all of us in 3 Para are enormously proud of him."
Sgt Caldwell's colleagues helped to ensure he received the support he required from a system which was not designed to cater for his injuries. An Army home has been refurbished at a cost of £100,000 and the local NHS Trust has agreed to pay for full-time carers.
Sgt Caldwell added: "Everyone's really helped in the battalion and I hope other regiments are doing the same thing looking after their wounded."
Although engaged, he refuses to marry until he can walk at least a few paces down the aisle.
"It's going to be hard," he said. "There's two ways of looking at it, you can either sit on your backside and blame the world and be miserable or just crack on."
3 Para has set up a fund to help its 26 wounded soldiers.
Cheques can be made payable to the Afghanistan Trust and sent to 3 Para, Hyderabad Barracks, Mersea Rd, Colchester CO2 7TB, or paid into account no. 10548799, sort code 16-19-26.
