Stryker Brigade News

A year ago, Vakoc breathed with the aid of a tube cut into his throat. Talking seemed impossible then, and doctors believed Vakoc had peaked in his recovery from a brain injury he sustained as an Army chaplain in Iraq.

This week's ceremony was just the latest sign of progress that has defied prognosis. It also was a moment of grace from a Catholic priest who has continued to inspire others despite his paralysis.

"I'm so happy for him, so proud of him," Makowski said. "He's overcome a lot. He probably shouldn't even be here. He accepts his cross, but he accepts it with joy. He's still ministering to people whether he realizes it or not."

Vakoc was wounded May 29, 2004, returning from a Mass near Mosul when a bomb detonated near his vehicle. Shrapnel pounded against his head and left eye. His prognosis looked grim at an Army hospital in Washington, when he had to battle infections in addition to his wounds. He stabilized and was transferred in September 2004 to the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, which specializes in rehabilitation from traumatic brain injuries.

Therapists spent a year working with Vakoc (pronounced VA-kitch) to help him regain lost mobility and thinking skills, but they told his relatives in December 2005 that he had made as much progress as possible. As a result, the hospital planned to discontinue rehab therapy. At that point, he had little strength in his legs and could only move his left hand and wrist.

Family and friends thought it was too soon to give up and pleaded with his doctors to continue. They conducted their own exercises with Vakoc as well.

Since then, Vakoc has gained balance and added strength in his neck and arms, though his right arm lags far behind and he struggles to hold anything in his right hand. The tube in his throat was removed in August, and he was able to speak his first clear words two months later. Finally, he was strong enough in December to be discharged from the VA hospital to the St. Therese nursing home in New Hope.

He had spent more than 800 days at the VA. Most soldiers with brain injuries are discharged from the rehab program in 80 days.