Usually we list Marines who have been wounded in combat but we've been notified by a member that her daughter has broken her back in Recruit training (not yet Marines) at Parris Island in mid-June. Stefanie's mother says Stefanie has wanted to be a Marine all of her life and to have this happen when she was well on her way to becoming one is heartbreaking at best. Please keep Stefanie and her family in your prayers and send this Recruit some encouraging words.
Update: 8/14/2011 from one of our volunteers who was able to visit with Stefanie this past weekend. She was able to hand deliver her first batch of cards and said Stefanie is having a hard time but is sweet and gracious and surprised that people care.
With tremendous pain, she is now able to stand and take some steps but she has a long way to go. She has also been informed that she will be released from Marine Corps training, thus never being able to complete boot camp and will not become a Marine. What a blow at such a young age.
She will figure out what God has in store for her but in the meantime she needs continued support and well wishes. You are good at that!
Update: 9/29/2011 Stefanie has been moved while she awaits separation from the USMC. She is still in much pain but manages to get through some physical therapy each day. Her morale can use any kind words sent her way.
Update: 10/10/2011 We received a sweet note from Stefanie that she very much appreciates all the prayers and notes you are sending while she recuperates. The days are long and the support you send means the world to her. She says "It's so great to know how many people out there are willing to write to someone who they don't even know, yet they know exactly to say to make us feel good. We love you guys!"
Thank you so much for supporting this recruit.
Update: 11/17/2011 from Stefanie's Mom. Stefanie has been granted a 10 recuperative leave. We are sure this will be a big boost to her morale. She's got a lot of recovering yet to do and much more physical therapy ahead but to get a little reprieve has to feel good. She's been on light duty in the library and clothing services so her days are getting filled with more and more activity. That has to be a good thing. In the meantime, she loves arts and crafts and we hope her 10 days can be filled with much fun.
Update: 12/31/2011 from Mom: Stefanie has been improving and well enough to have some holiday leave off base. She has also been able to go home for a short leave before reporting back to the hospital in the new year. She has been able to reconnect with family and old friends and feel more independent. She and her family are so very appreciative of your support. They cannot speak enough of how you have gotten them through all this.
Update: 1/26/2012 Mom says Stefanie is now awaiting her release and is very much looking forward to getting her life back on track, no matter what that holds. Her ability to continue waiting for the paperwork to come through is draining her energy and resolve.....and Mom is having a very hard time waiting while all this occurs. Please pray that there's a quick resolution and that Stef and her Mom can go home to begin their road ahead.
Update: 2/17/2012 from Mom: Stef received her "findings" last Friday and there should be a 3 to 10 day processing out time. However, there is another snag at the Federal level that may delay her release yet again. Please keep praying that this waiting will be over for them soon. Stefanie is not the only one affected by this new 'hold'. It apparently is all medical releases from all branches. There are many families enduring it.
Update: 3/5/2012 from Mom - Stefanie wants you all to pray hard that her discharge comes this week. She has been waiting all this time and still another weekend has gone by. It has taken its toll on the whole family and they need to be able to put this behind them. There are some positive signs that it should be this week and when the orders come in there will be no processing out. She is ready to go. We hope the next update is soon and we'll let you know as soon as we hear.
Update: 3/7/2010 Stefanie will be released on Friday March 9. We are holding our breath but it looks like this time the news is real. They are making her travel arrangements so optimism, although reserved, is high. We hope to meet Stefanie's Mom as she travels through Georgia on her way back home from Parris Island so we'll give you updates at that time. Stefanie and her family know you have been praying along with them that this day would come and that her recovery can begin as a civilian. They are so very grateful.
Update: 3/9/2012 OohRah! Stefanie is adorable and her Mom is so relieved that she can begin her life again. We brought your cards when we met them for dinner and she went through many of them while we chatted at the table. We'll get those pics in the Newsletter next month. She talked about how grateful she is for all the support you have given her and could not express what the cards, letters and support meant to her and the others with whom she shared. She is ready to come off the list but knows everyone wishes her the best and she promised to keep us updated. Good Luck Stef!
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Date added to program: 7/25/2011
Date removed from program: 3/9/2012
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