The Road Back: A Wounded Warriors Journey Part 2

Tonight we continue the story of an amazing American Soldier.

Last night we introduced you to Army Ranger Cory Remsburg.

A Savannah based soldier Staff Sergeant Remsburg was critically injured in Afghanistan last fall.

Thrown several feet after an Improvised Explosive Device went off under his feet... tearing apart his skull and into the brain Cory almost didn't survive. 

“When they pulled him out of the canal...even one of his best friends told us when he cut Cory out of his uniform he thought he was saying goodbye to him,” recalls Cory’s Stepmother Annie.  

But this story has a happy ending...

News Three’s Alice Massimi joins us now with Cory's amazing journey towards recovery.

Its been a long and hard road for Cory and his family who has been at his side 24 / 7, pretty much since the incident occurred.

Touch and go at the beginning doctors say there were several times when many thought Cory would not make it ... and even once he was stable he remained in a coma.

“I woke up and I was here,” explains Cory Remsburg.

In a coma for roughly three months Cory says he was confused at first.

“When did you realize what happened, when did someone tell you what happened?”

 “When I tried to move my arm,” explains Cory.

Because the right side of Cory's brain took the brunt of the blast Cory's left side was pretty much paralyzed.

But Cory couldn't remember what happened ... the mission leading up the blast or the blast itself.

“We would tell him the truth; that he was injured, that he had been hurt in Afghanistan from an IED blast that he was safe now,” says Annie, Cory’s mom.  

With the news of Cory's safety came the bad news ... the loss of a near and dear friend in the same attack....Sergeant Roberto Sanchez.

“When they did talk to him about the loss of Rob Sanchez he basically said I knew this because I think he put together that all of the Rangers had come to visit him but Rob hadn’t...and he said I though that's what happened,” says Annie.

Cory admits it's difficult to deal with... especially not being around for the funeral yet it’s apparent he uses these emotions to push harder... to work harder...

“What keeps you going?”

“Being so stubborn,” says Cory with a smile.

Cared for by a team of doctors and therapists Cory's days are full… from vision to speech to occupational and physical therapists...Cory has one focus.

 “What is your eventual goal?”

 “To run again,” says Cory confidently.  

First Cory has to learn to walk again... one step at a time.

Using a machine called a Thera Stride Cory is strapped into a brace and helped by three therapists... a grueling workout it's also one of Cory's favorite.

“What’s so cool about that?”

“That I am walking,” says Cory.  

The hard work doesn't stop there ... Cory also spends time in the gym... strengthening his legs.

His arms get a work out thanks to a new program at the V.A. that incorporates kayaking into his rehab.

On this day Cory is outfitted with a new paddle...one he hopes will increase the mobility of his left arm.

Very active before the accident Cory says he liked to skydive, run, work out at the gym and of course hang out with girls... most of all though Cory liked being a Ranger.

“Do you miss being able to do the stuff you used to? “

“Definitely.”

“What do you miss the most?

“Being a Ranger.”

Words Cory has lived by since the day he was accepted into the elite brotherhood of the US Army Rangers... the Ranger Creed.

A chatterbox before his life was so drastically changed Cory is having to get used to talking a little less and a little more slowly....  but I promise you this...it has not effected his sense of humor.

While Cory is making immense progress there are still rocky roads ahead....ones he will conquer with his stepmom Annie at his side.

“That's one of my biggest concerns getting Cory back to a functioning level where he can have his life back. Where he can skydive again and he wants to and I truly believe he will,” says Annie.

As the Ranger Creed states ... “surrender is not a ranger word”... and while Cory may be down he is by no means out.

“Cory will never give up he will never give up because Cory feels if he gives up his recovery that the enemy won. He won’t let that happen,” says Annie.

“Are you grateful that you are still alive?”

“Yes” Cory says as he smiles.

Cory is planning to move into his own apartment by the end of this month.

In January he is scheduled to have cranioplasty in January... an operation tried earlier but because of infection did not succeed...this time around they are hoping the outcome will be different.