Uncommon Valor A Common Virtue: Amputee conquers disability

26 Nov 2014 | Sgt. Terry Brady The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

Like many of the Marines of the Wounded Warrior Regiment, Joshua Smith is an amputee. But like most Marines, Smith tells an uncommon story that brings him together with other Marines.

While on recruiting duty, Smith lost his limb during a shotgun accident at home.

“I was getting ready to clean it, I dropped it and instead of letting it go I tried to grab it and my finger slipped in the housing and just took out my ankle completely,” said Smith.

In the aftermath of his injury, Smith has come a long way from the accident through enthusiasm.

“I think it’s a little bit easier for me than most. I have a really positive outlook on a lot of things,” said Smith. “It kind of sucked obviously at the beginning when they tell you, ‘odds are pretty good that you’re goanna lose your leg.’”

As expected, reaching that point was not easy, and required adapting to the injury both mentally and physically, according to Smith.

“There are things you have to adjust, especially when you are out walking around town, because nobody really understands and so you get people looking at you,” said Smith.

Smith was not in shortage of help getting better, as many surrounded him with overwhelming support.

 

“Between the surgeries and the doctors and the atmosphere down in San Antonio everything’s been awesome,” said Smith. “I’ve had a lot of Marine Corps and family support and then getting back into sports volleyball, softball, basketball [helped]."

Though physically different, it was imperative to Smith and his family to reinforce his enthusiasm.

“If anything, it’s probably helped [my family] out a little bit because I have such a positive attitude about recovering,” said Smith. “They haven’t changed the way they look at me. It hasn’t changed any of that. If anything there is more of a boost in confidence in the family.”

Smith finds competition with others in sitting volleyball helps him keep a positive mindset.

“Playing sports is a real confidence booster, [because] it lets you know that you can still do things even though you are an amputee,” said Smith. “It’s all up to you whether or not you’re stopped from continuing on from what you used to do. “

Having the willpower to push forward is the most important remedy of any ordeal, according to Smith. 

“Mentally it’s all about heart. Its about how bad you want to stay out there how much you want to keep doing what your doing,” said Smith. “There are adjustments you have to make because you can’t make the same motions with your leg, but again it’s just about how bad you want it or how bad you want to get out there and get it done.”