logo

Double Amputee Veteran Climbs over 3,000 Steps to Help Other Soldiers

Kareena Koirala
Apr 26, 2019
09:34 A.M.

Living up to his name, former Army Staff Sgt. Travis Strong climbed the steep Manitou Incline in Colorado despite being a double amputee.

Advertisement

Strong lost his legs during an attack in Baghdad back in 2006 when he was in a Stryker vehicle. The vehicle went through the truck and through his legs after being hit by a projectile.

It was not the first time that Strong climbed the steep. Previously, his climb on the hiking trail lasted 9 hours. With the help of a group of Fort Carson soldiers, the 41-year-old could climb up the stairs in five hours.

"I just decided to go, so I went by myself. This time, I finished in five hours. It helped having a group of Fort Carson soldiers with me, and I had more water and energy snacks this time."

Advertisement

Although he made the arduous climb seem easy with his strong arms, Strong said he hadn’t thought about doing it last summer. He was inspired by a military veteran, Mandy Horvath, who is also a double amputee who made the climb before him.

Travis Strong climbs the steep Manitou Incline in Colorado. | Source: Facebook/TravisMacCodyStrong

Travis Strong climbs the steep Manitou Incline in Colorado. | Source: Facebook/TravisMacCodyStrong

"Here was this young woman, injured more recently than I was, making the climb. I thought it was amazing. She motivated me," he said.

Advertisement

Strong said he would eventually try to climb the incline twice in the same day to raise suicide awareness among veterans by placing a “22” marker every 22 steps along the trail.

Being in the military tends to wreak havoc in one’s mental health. Many veterans cope with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) upon returning from military services. The signs of PTSD include emotional numbness, panic attack, depression, and anxiety.

It is normal for our mind and body to experience severe trauma after a life-threatening event. However, if the nervous system gets stuck with such intense emotions, PTSD is born.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Little Girl & Her Dad Found Dead Side by Side on the Way to Grandma’s House

December 29, 2023

How Paul Walker Would Look Today If Not for Tragic High-Speed Car Accident: Photos via AI

February 06, 2024

How Paul Walker Would Look Today If Not for Tragic High-Speed Car Accident: Photos via AI

November 28, 2023

4 Teen Boys Found Dead after Going on a Camping Trip: ‘I Feel like I’m in a Nightmare’

November 22, 2023

Man Kisses Wife before Delivery, Not Knowing He Would Soon Be a Single Dad to Quadruplets

November 16, 2023

10-Month-Old Baby Found Dead near Still-Living Father after 36-Hour Search

December 05, 2023

Girl Wakes up from Coma and Says, 'I Know the Truth about My Mom' — Story of the Day

February 01, 2024

What Happened to Robby Benson Who Hid His Heart Problem from His Colleagues in Fear of Hurting His Career?

January 29, 2024

Man Born with Life Expectancy of 2 Years Is Now Father to Cute Twins Who ‘Look like Daddy’

December 01, 2023

Husband Charges Own Wife, a Mom of 3, $900 after He Spent Six Hours Deep Cleaning Their House

February 01, 2024

Texas Girl, 11, Found Dead after Vanishing on Her Way to School – Cause of Death Finally Revealed

February 23, 2024

Rodney Tyson Is a Former Surgical Physician Assistant – Facts about Mike Tyson's Brother

December 02, 2023

Grandma Loses Grandson Who Shared Every Wednesday Breakfast with Her — His Friends Carry on the Tradition

December 01, 2023

Groom Tells Unsuspecting Bride They Have Just Become a Family-Of-3

November 23, 2023