wounded warrior Archives

limb

Military medical scientists are looking at research in humans regrowing limbs to becoming a reality. Researchers are working on how salamanders regrow their limbs and reverse engineer that in wounded soldiers whom have suffered limb loss in the battle field.

Although it may sound like science fiction, the U.S. Army is studying the science of bone, skin and muscle regeneration so an amputation is no longer permanent for future service members injured in combat.

While advance in prosthetics have helped alleviate some of the struggles of limb loss, many military and veteran amputees experience a decreased quality of life compared to injured troops without amputations, this according to recent Department of Defense research.

There are more than 1,650 service members who have lost limbs during the War on Terror.

The military’s leading researchers and academics have been exploring “extremity regeneration,” particularly the use of synthetic grafts, which can kickstart the healing process for soldiers by regenerating tissue.

“We would like it to be as restorative as possible, resist infection … and be durable,” said Army Lt. Col. David Saunders, extremity repair product manager for the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity. “This is going to be implanted in young people who may go on to live another 60 to 70 years.”

Though limb regeneration is the ultimate goal, the Army is also focused on skin regeneration.

Jason Brant, a researcher with the University of Florida, is studying the African spiny mouse, which can regenerate scar-free skin, even after losing mass amounts in an attack.

“Warfighters and civilians alike suffer large surface [cuts] and burns, and these result in medically and cosmetically problematic scars,” said Brant. “The impacts of these scars … are really staggering. The ability to develop effective therapies will have an enormous impact not only on the health care system but on the individuals as well.”

Brant believes discovering how the mouse regenerates skin could be the key to applying the ability to human bodies.

Military Connection salutes and proudly serves veterans and service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, and their families.

By Debbie Gregory

Veterans: it is time to support one of your own, as medically retired Army Sergeant Noah Galloway is need of your votes while competing on the hit ABC show “Dancing with the Stars.”

Noah Galloway served in the 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. On December 19, 2005, during his second deployment to Iraq, Sgt. Galloway was wounded by a roadside bomb. Five days after the IED attack, Galloway woke up at a hospital in Germany. The explosion that nearly killed him resulted in him losing his left arm and left leg above the knee.

Previous to sustaining his injuries, Galloway had not only been a fit soldier, but a work-out fanatic and competitive athlete. After his release from the hospital and rehabilitation, Galloway became depressed, started drinking, and let himself get out of shape. One day, he took along, hard look in the mirror and decided to change what was reflected. He didn’t want to just see his injuries, knowing that there was much more to who he was than just that. He decided to get back into shape and inspire others.

Noah is now a personal trainer and motivational speaker. The wounded warrior also participates in 5K and 10K races, as well as grueling Tough Mudder and Spartan races. Noah doesn’t make excuses for himself, and won’t allow his clients to make excuses for not being able to accomplish their goals.

Noah successfully changed the image of the man that he saw in the mirror. In November, 2014, he was on the cover of Men’s Health Magazine, and was named the publication’s “Ultimate Guy” for 2014. Noah has also been on various talk shows, and created the No Excuses Charitable Fund. Now, in an attempt to inspire others and raise awareness for his charitable causes, Noah is taking on the ballroom, competitors and judges on “Dancing with the Stars.”

Noah faces several different challenges that the show’s first double amputee contestant, Amy Purdy, didn’t. Purdy, who finished in third place, had both of her legs amputated below the knees. Noah, however, has his leg amputated above the knee, meaning that he has an artificial joint and not as much control. Also, male ballroom dancers traditionally lead with their left arm. These two obstacles will present challenges for Noah and his partner, Sharna Burgess, but they aren’t making any excuses.

Together, Sharna and Noah, dubbed #TeamShway, are already creating quite a stir on the dance floor. Week 1 of Season 20 aired on March 16, 2015. Team Shway danced the cha-cha, and finished to thunderous applause and a standing ovation. They received a middle-of-the-pack score of 26 out of 40. All teams are safe in week one. But from now on, #TeamShway needs your vote to keep dancing throughout the season.

Veterans, be sure to watch Noah and #TeamShway on DWTS and vote at www.abc.com, on Facebook, or by calling 1 (855) 234-5605.

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