CareMeridian is pleased to announce that Sergeant James Carey, USMC, who is recovering from a traumatic brain injury at CareMeridian Santiago Canyon, and members of his platoon, successfully completed the Orange County Marathon, held May 2nd in Newport Beach. (To read the release posted when Sergeant Carey began training, click here.)

Completing the marathon with Sergeant Carey proved to be both a memorable and deeply moving experience for those involved.  Below is a message CareMeridian received from Renee Ausberger, James’ occupational therapist and one of  his running mates.

I wanted to take the opportunity to send a very sincere, heartfelt “Thank You” to everyone who was involved in Carey’s Corps!  In thinking of what I wanted to say,  I felt as though I was preparing an acceptance speech for an Academy Award. If the Academy gave awards for people coming together for a greater good,  then Carey’s Corps wins by a landslide!

Several years ago I watched a video about Dick Hoyt and his son Rick.  I always thought, “Wow, what an amazing story,” and kept it in my hip pocket. I’ll never forget the day when Lt. Wood and some of the platoon came up to visit James and the idea was born.  I only had the idea, but Lt. Wood made it happen.

We hooked up with MyTeamTriumph and had a jogger shipped out from Michigan.  We had so much support from MyTeamTriumph to help get us started.  Then the ball just started rolling and it is unbelievable how many people wanted to help in any way they could to support James.

In our careers, we have met many people and patients that have left imprints on our hearts, but James tugged on mine in a way that really makes me want to do a better job as a therapist and a person.  I know I get sucked into the hustle and bustle of everyday life and the insanity of youth sports.  I wish more for my kids and hope that they will learn that life is about what you do for others – not for yourself.

When I recount the series of events that transpired to make Sunday the amazing experience that it was,  I think I could write a book.   Lt. Wood drove up every free Sunday that he had to take James out and run.  He spent one afternoon going over the course with Jamie, our RV driver, who had not even met James yet.  It was actually a surreal experience the morning of the race to see everyone who had come together.  Thuy (our Director of Nursing)  at the school at 5 a.m. to reserve our spot.  Sonya pulling her trailer into the same place convincing the guards that we “The Marine Corps” had reserved this space.  The energy at the start line was unbelievable.  Wow – the presence of the Marine Corps!   These young men were up and traveling by 4 in the morning to support their friend and comrade.  As we approached the start line, they welcomed  Carey’s Corps to the race and the thrill never stopped for another 26.2 miles!

As the Corps passed mile  22-23, there was a runner who was down with a cramp.  Several of us, including me, passed him after asking him if he was all right — to which he replied “yes,” so we continued on.  However, guess who stopped, which is extremely hard to do at that point in a race , and assisted the man and made sure he was taken care of?  Lt. Wood , of course.  One of his men said to me, “Lt. Wood has the heart of an elephant.”  Now, I’m not sure what size of heart an elephant has, but I think it speaks clearly to the integrity of Lt. Wood.

I know each one of us volunteered to help with this race to support James, but that was quite the contrary.  James actually flipped this whole thing around and gave us the unforgettable experience.

I would love to mention every single person who was part of Carey’s Corps, but at last count that was about 80 of us (including the folks who gave extremely generous financial contributions)…WOW!

This is not the end, but just the first chapter in the book. We will be having a reunion at CareMeridian Santiago Canyon in June.  Lt. Wood is already looking for our next race before he deploys in August.  We may briefly lose our leader, but he will be back in time for the Carey’s Corps and the OC Marathon 2011!

Semper Fi!
Renee

For more information on Sergeant Carey, visit www.caringbridge.org and enter jamescarey.

For more information on My Team Triumph, visit www.myteamtriumph.com.

CareMeridian, a partner of The MENTOR Network, provides cost-effective, sophisticated post acute care alternatives for catastrophically ill or injured patients of all ages. With 16 locations located throughout Northern, Central and Southern California, as well as in the Southwest locations of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona, CareMeridian provides a unique service delivery model, merging the aesthetics of a residential environment within the framework of state-of-the-art technology and personalized service from an experienced and skilled health care team.

The MENTOR Network is a national network of local human services providers offering an array of quality, community-based services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain, spinal cord and other catastrophic injuries and illnesses, and to youth with emotional, behavioral and medically complex challenges as well as their families with programs in 36 states. To learn more, visit www.thementornetwork.com.

Contact:
Dan Larson
Chief Development Officer
314.440.4257
dlarson@caremeridian.com