By Mary Jo Blackwood, American Red Cross Volunteer
While most people take technology for granted, Ryan Carter, a former Technical Sergeant for the US Air Force and the Air National Guard is thankful, every day, for the technology that is allowing him to return to a life he once knew.
In 2018, Ryan underwent surgery for spinal stenosis in his neck, an injury that resulted in total loss of use in his legs and partial loss in one of his arms. During the surgery something went wrong and his spinal cord was injured further, leaving Ryan a quadriplegic with only partial use of his left hand. Ryan spent a year in a VA hospital receiving treatment and was later transferred to the NeuroRestorative rehabilitation facility in Denver, a leading provider of rehabilitation services for brain, spinal cord and medically complex injuries.
Adjusting to life with this disability was a difficult transition for Ryan. He constantly worried about how he would be able to return to his career as a military cyber-planning IT Specialist and missed being close to his loving and supportive wife. Roderick Schwald, a recovery care coordinator for the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program stepped in to help Ryan.
Rod knew from personal experience that the American Red Cross supports America’s Military. “When I was an active-duty Air Force First Sergeant, I received hundreds of emergency Red Cross messages pertaining to my airmen and their families. After getting stationed in Colorado, I learned about the Mile High Chapter’s Rooms for Troops program. After retiring from the Air Force and upon assuming my current position with the AFW2, I reconnected with the Colorado Red Cross and again used their Rooms for Troops program, but this time for my AFW2 wounded warriors and their families.”
Rod contacted Joshua Starrett, a Service to the Armed Forces specialist based at the Red Cross Mile High Chapter. Together the two put together a plan. To achieve his goal of reentering the workforce, Ryan needed a computer. Josh knew that a Surface Pro would be the best option for Ryan. The Surface Pro is lightweight, has a touchscreen, voice software and a kickstand to hold it upright on Ryan’s wheelchair tray.
Josh received special approval to get the Surface Pro for Ryan. “We get requests for material assistance from groups like the Wounded Warriors, needs like mattresses, laptops, things people need to live and search for jobs. Normally, if a laptop is needed, we use a standard model, which is much less expensive than the Surface Pro we ended up supplying for Ryan.”
Ryan was thrilled to receive the Surface Pro. “It may seem like a little thing to get a laptop but it was really big for me to help me regain my self-confidence and hopefully my livelihood when I finish rehab.” Ryan has changed the way he is thinking about and coping with his disability. The Surface Pro has helped to improve his independence, sense of empowerment and outlook.
Ryan’s story is only one example of how the Red Cross helps members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with and respond to, the challenges of military service. To learn more about the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program, click here.