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Four days later, airlifted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he spent more than two weeks in the ICU receiving multiple blood transfusions, kidney and liver dialyses. His left leg amputated at the hip due to lack of blood flow and muscle damage, CPL Jackson would spend more than 2 ½ years at WRAMC in Washington, DC before being transferred to the newly renamed Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, Maryland. Nearly three years later, and with no plausible explanation as to why his injury occurred. Poisoning was suspected and investigated but never determined.

CPL Jackson has been forced to accept that he may never know what caused his life to change so drastically. Spending approximately 80% of his time in a wheelchair, and suffering nerve damage in his lower back, John is focusing on his rehabilitation and future…he has decided to accept the unknown in order to move on with his life. He continues his treatments and therapies there at WRNMMC at this time.

CPL Jackson enjoys fishing, wheelchair basketball, sit volleyball, swimming, making music, and exploring nature trails. He is active in his church and participates in a Bible Study group. He especially likes spending time with his wife, Megan and his 2 young daughters. John is looking forward to enrolling in school and studying Business Management; he hopes to one day work as a civilian contractor with the Department of Defense.

When asked what he would like to say to those who support the Homes for Our Troops mission, CPL Jackson responded, “I now can picture my future getting better and better…I had been holding on every day to that little piece of hope. To receive a specially adapted home where we can raise our family will take a HUGE weight off of my shoulders, knowing we have a safe environment to live together helps me focus on my recovery and the future. Thank you!”

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