Stumpy's Blog

This blog is about my return to Walter Reed to get a new leg. I am an above-the-knee amputee. I lost my leg in April 2007 in Iraq while riding in a Humvee that was struck by an "explosively formed projectile" -- a molten metal jet stream released from a homemade roadside bomb. My left knee was shattered and later amputated at Walter Reed. I rushed through rehab to get back to Alaska quickly. But my leg continued to change, and now my prosthetic doesn't fit, and I need to begin again. I'll keep you posted on my progress and experience. This time, it will work.

Joshua Ferguson

I joined the Army in 1996 and my position is as a forward observer. My dad was in the Air Force and I'm the oldest of four with one brother and two sisters. My wife is Danielle, and we have three young children, J.J., 5 in June, Corinne, 3 in July, and little Madeline, 1 this month. My goal is to complete a full 20 years in the military, and then retire to become a teacher at the elementary or high school levels.

FEATURE STORY

New life & limbs

Read reporter George Bryson's account of how Ferguson ended up on his way back to Walter Reed.

Awesome day! - 12/5/2009 7:27 pm

Iron Dog - 11/11/2009 6:45 pm

Running and Snow - 11/9/2009 3:40 pm

Waszack - 10/29/2009 7:38 pm

Waiting for the rut! - 10/29/2009 6:20 pm

OK hunt was Awesome! - 10/20/2009 11:51 pm

Football - 10/5/2009 5:50 pm

Golf & Football - 10/1/2009 5:11 pm

Waiting for the rut!

So, I made it back from PA. Nothing on the ground, but plenty of opprotunity. I was drawn on an eight point buck when my C-Leg knocked against the wall (DOH!) and he scooted out of range. I passed up a bunch waiting ro get him back in, but the weekend brought in wind and rain. Oh well, such is the way of the bowhunter....

I was up in PA with two other guys from Alaska. Moore, from Fairbanks, and Ivey, from Anchorage. Everyone had a great time, and the community held nothing back in welcoming us. We were given a heck of a deal on new T/C Omega's that T/C shipped out to us for the hunt.

I've been sticking pretty close to home since being back. I need to get my butt back on the PT wagon. Being out in the woods for so long really opened my eyes on things that may be a bit more difficult than I remember.

There is another buddy here from Anchorage. He's been back and forth from Walter Reed and the VA in Richmond. Hopefully he'll be around long enough this time to get him out in the woods.

I tried to put up some pics the last time I was on here, my computer has been being goofy again. I'll bring a thumbdrive with pics and get somewhere I can upload, we should have some good ones with Halloween.

Hope everyone is well. I'll talk to you later,
Josh

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