Jun 7, 2007 8:05 am US/Mountain
Paralyzed Colo. Soldier Checks Into Craig Hospital
Prepared for cbs4denver.com by Matthew J. Buettner, Web Producer.
DENVER (CBS4) ―
A soldier from Fort Carson who was nearly killed in Iraq has returned to Colorado and is facing his toughest mission yet.
Staff Sgt. Matthew Keil checked into Craig Hospital. The staff members at Craig are his new comrades, but Matt will never forget those he served with in battle.
"It's really nice knowing so many people care and care about our soldiers that are still over there, and ones that come back injured," Matt's wife, Tracy, said. "Especially ones that are severely injured and we are just really lucky that Matt came home."
In February, Keil was shot by a sniper in Iraq. The bullet damaged his spinal cord and he is now a quadriplegic. Tracy fought to bring him home to Colorado because they have family here, and because they wanted to go to the world class services at Craig Hospital.
"I feel like we have our family here," Tracy said. "And now we have the Craig family that just welcomed us with open arms."
At Craig, Matt will try to learn to use the limited movement in his left arm.
"We expect Mr. Keil will be able to direct his care," Dr. Mike Hsu at Craig said. "Because he's a smart guy and he's a motivated person."
Matt and Tracy had been married only about six weeks before he was injured. Now, Tracy spends her time learning to give Matt the medical support he needs.
"She's my rock," Matt said. "The worst part of my day is when she leaves at night. I dream about her all the time and she comes in the morning and I light up."
Matt supervised a group of young men in Iraq -- kids just out of high school. Despite everything he has been through, those young men never leave his mind.
"All my boys who are over there; I love them," Matt said. "I worry about them a lot. I wish I could be over there again. I would do it all over again if I could."
Despite all the challenges, Tracy said she would do it all over again too.
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