After Losing His Limbs In The Battlefield, This Marine Received A Life-Changing Transplant
I won’t pretend to know what it’s like to be in war, or serve in the military. But what I do know is that these men and women deserve the respect from each and every American for putting their lives on the line to protect our freedom. And 31-year-old Marine sergeant John Peck is absolutely one of those people.
While serving in Afghanistan, Peck stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) in 2010, causing him to lose his BOTH of his arms and legs. This isn’t the first time Peck suffered from serving our country, and made it out alive. Three years before losing his limbs, Peck was serving in Iraq when he suffered a traumatic brain injury when his vehicle hit an IED. Undeterred, he went on to serve in Afghanistan. I can’t express the immense gratitude I have for someone who is as dedicated to serving his country as this man, after being attacked twice by militant groups.
Marine get double arm transplant. (3)
After living six years as a quadruple amputee, and spending two years on the transplant waiting list, Sergeant Peck was finally going to received a double arm transplant.
Marine get double arm transplant. (2)Marine get double arm transplant. (4)
Marine get double arm transplant. (5)
After The Operation
The decorated veteran made it through the 14-hour operation receiving his two new arms. And while the arms are scarred and move awkwardly, the doctors say he is making progress expecting 9 to 12 months of rehab.
Speaking publicly for the first time since his surgery at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Peck said the best things about it all is that he can hold his fiancee’s hand again.
“I wanted to move forward with my life,” Peck said. “It’s kind of been on a time-out right now. So as soon as Dr Talbot called me, I knew, and I just broke down,” he remembers. “I was crying because I was happy. But then my mind switched and it became… I mean, somebody died. I just want [the donor family] to know that this gift, it’s not going to go to waste at all.”
The first thing he did was to put a bracelet honoring his Marine brothers on his wrist.
Then shortly after his operation in August, Peck proposed to his girlfriend Sara Parker. The best thing about the surgery Peck says, is that he can hold his fiancée’s hand again.
It has been a long journey for the Illinois-born Marine, who is now a motivational speaker and hopes to use his new arms to fulfill his dream of becoming a chef.
Marine get double arm transplant. (1)
Marine get double arm transplant. (8)
We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and thank you for your service, Sergeant Peck!
