Injured Washburn soldier vows to walk again
September 17, 2014
Steve Chapman
On April 30, 2011, Nicholas Mendes, a specialist in the U.S. Army from Washburn, was on patrol in Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device was detonated, severely injuring his spinal chord. Doctors believed he would remain a quadriplegic for the rest of his life. Mendes, 24, is determined to prove them wrong.
Mendes’s story was originally featured in the June 8, 2011 edition of the Advertiser. According to Mendes’s mother, Edythe Lane, Mendes has undergone a stem cell operation, which Mendes and his family hope will regenerate his spinal chord. “He is only the third person in the nation to receive this surgery,” Lane said.
Even before the surgery, Mendes progressed beyond what his doctors thought possible. According to Lane, he regained some mobility in his right arm and leg, and also was able to move his fingers. He learned how to write again and, for a Mother’s Day gift, penned Lane a note saying he loved her. “He is determined he is going to walk again,” said Lane. “He is going to regain full use of his body.”
After he was wounded, Mendes was told there were only three locations in the United States where he could get the rehab he would need. He chose to go to the rehab center in San Diego, where he had some family.
Mendes has since completed his inpatient rehab and is active in veterans affairs. According to Lane, he has appeared in numerous commercial spots for veterans causes and even has an annual “Nick Mendes Honors the Troops Day” aboard the Queen Mary. “He’s just amazing,” Lane said. “Nothing ever keeps him down.”
Mendes has also found love. He met Wendy Eichler, a contracted caregiver for the Veterans Administration in San Diego when she went to do an evaluation on him.
The care Mendes required during in-patient rehab was beyond what Eichler would be able to give professionally, but she continued to stay in contact with him as friends. Their relationship continued to grow, and now they are engaged and will be married on September 28 at Breaker’s Beach in San Diego.
Lane and the rest of Mendes’s family in Barry County are excited about the upcoming wedding, but Lane said the price of attending will be steep. There are nine of them attending, one of them Mendes’s grandmother, whom he has not seen since Christmas 2010. Mendes specifically asked for her to be there.
Because his grandmother is unable to fly, Lane and her family rented a transport van they will drive to San Diego. Between the costs of renting the van and fuel, transportation alone will run $2,000, and they will spend another $700 on hotel stays.
Lane and her husband tried to raise funds by having a yard sale, but it was unsuccessful due to bad weather. She has started a page at gofundme.com, in hopes that she will be able to raise enough money to help fund the trip. At press time, the page had raised $230.
Anyone wishing to donate funds online can do so at www.gofundme.com/Go-Granny-Go. Lane is also holding another fundraising garage sale this weekend at 302 Hutchings in Fairview on Friday and Saturday. She said they are still in need of general merchandise items. If you’d like to donate, please call (417) 669-3968.
Steve Chapman
On April 30, 2011, Nicholas Mendes, a specialist in the U.S. Army from Washburn, was on patrol in Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device was detonated, severely injuring his spinal chord. Doctors believed he would remain a quadriplegic for the rest of his life. Mendes, 24, is determined to prove them wrong.
Mendes’s story was originally featured in the June 8, 2011 edition of the Advertiser. According to Mendes’s mother, Edythe Lane, Mendes has undergone a stem cell operation, which Mendes and his family hope will regenerate his spinal chord. “He is only the third person in the nation to receive this surgery,” Lane said.
Even before the surgery, Mendes progressed beyond what his doctors thought possible. According to Lane, he regained some mobility in his right arm and leg, and also was able to move his fingers. He learned how to write again and, for a Mother’s Day gift, penned Lane a note saying he loved her. “He is determined he is going to walk again,” said Lane. “He is going to regain full use of his body.”
After he was wounded, Mendes was told there were only three locations in the United States where he could get the rehab he would need. He chose to go to the rehab center in San Diego, where he had some family.
Mendes has since completed his inpatient rehab and is active in veterans affairs. According to Lane, he has appeared in numerous commercial spots for veterans causes and even has an annual “Nick Mendes Honors the Troops Day” aboard the Queen Mary. “He’s just amazing,” Lane said. “Nothing ever keeps him down.”
Mendes has also found love. He met Wendy Eichler, a contracted caregiver for the Veterans Administration in San Diego when she went to do an evaluation on him.
The care Mendes required during in-patient rehab was beyond what Eichler would be able to give professionally, but she continued to stay in contact with him as friends. Their relationship continued to grow, and now they are engaged and will be married on September 28 at Breaker’s Beach in San Diego.
Lane and the rest of Mendes’s family in Barry County are excited about the upcoming wedding, but Lane said the price of attending will be steep. There are nine of them attending, one of them Mendes’s grandmother, whom he has not seen since Christmas 2010. Mendes specifically asked for her to be there.
Because his grandmother is unable to fly, Lane and her family rented a transport van they will drive to San Diego. Between the costs of renting the van and fuel, transportation alone will run $2,000, and they will spend another $700 on hotel stays.
Lane and her husband tried to raise funds by having a yard sale, but it was unsuccessful due to bad weather. She has started a page at gofundme.com, in hopes that she will be able to raise enough money to help fund the trip. At press time, the page had raised $230.
Anyone wishing to donate funds online can do so at www.gofundme.com/Go-Granny-Go. Lane is also holding another fundraising garage sale this weekend at 302 Hutchings in Fairview on Friday and Saturday. She said they are still in need of general merchandise items. If you’d like to donate, please call (417) 669-3968.