Kandahar to Idaho

Kandahar to Idaho

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Over two years ago, Sergeant Matt Krumwiede was on patrol in Afghanistan when he stepped on an improvised explosive device which tore away both his legs and left the rest of his body gravely injured.

Since then he has been on a journey of recovery, going through dozens of surgeries and learning to walk again with prosthetics. This year, he visited his hometown of Pocatello, Idaho for the first time since he was wounded.

. Zharay, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Krumwiede was on patrol in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar when he stepped on an explosive device that ripped through his body. The blast took off his legs, damaged his left arm and opened up his abdominal cavity.

In the image above he is carried, badly wounded, towards a Blackhawk Medevac helicopter by his fellow soldiers.

. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Since being injured Krumwiede has undergone multiple surgeries and spent time recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas, slowly regaining mobility.

In this image, his mother massages his hand as he lies in a bed at the centre after contracting an infection.

. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

As well as learning to walk again, Krumwiede has been practicing longboarding at BAMC’s Center for the Intrepid.

As he recovers he has been considering various possibilities for his future. He will soon be able to leave the army but he would like to stay if he can find a role where he can remain active and, if possible, work outdoors.

. Pocatello, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

In June 2014 Krumwiede came back to his hometown in Idaho for the first time since he was injured.

Here he relaxes with his twin brother Mark, who is also in the army.

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Slideshow

Matt Krumwiede patrols in the Zharay district of Kandahar the day before he was injured.
. Zharay, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Matt Krumwiede patrols in the Zharay district of Kandahar the day before he was injured.

After stepping on an IED, Krumwiede receives treatment from a medic as other soldiers secure the area.
. Zharay, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

After stepping on an IED, Krumwiede receives treatment from a medic as other soldiers secure the area.

Fellow soldiers carry him towards a Blackhawk Medevac helicopter.
. Zharay, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Fellow soldiers carry him towards a Blackhawk Medevac helicopter.

His bloodied M4 rifle lies on the ground.
. Afghanistan. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

His bloodied M4 rifle lies on the ground.

Krumwiede is assisted by his mother Pam after being admitted for an infection at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Krumwiede is assisted by his mother Pam after being admitted for an infection at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas.

He practices walking at BAMC’s Center for the Intrepid.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

He practices walking at BAMC’s Center for the Intrepid.

He talks to his friend Sgt. Jesse McCart at a hunting ranch outside San Antonio.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

He talks to his friend Sgt. Jesse McCart at a hunting ranch outside San Antonio.

Krumwiede (front, 2nd L) lines up for morning formation at BAMC.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Krumwiede (front, 2nd L) lines up for morning formation at BAMC.

His mother Pam tends to a wound after a day of hunting at a ranch outside San Antonio.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

His mother Pam tends to a wound after a day of hunting at a ranch outside San Antonio.

He sits in pain after going hunting, while his friend Jesse McCart and his mother Pam talk.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

He sits in pain after going hunting, while his friend Jesse McCart and his mother Pam talk.

Krumwiede sits in a jeep as he hunts with McCart.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Krumwiede sits in a jeep as he hunts with McCart.

Krumwiede and McCart sit side by side.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Krumwiede and McCart sit side by side.

Krumwiede looks at the snowboard pants his mother Pam tailored for him.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Krumwiede looks at the snowboard pants his mother Pam tailored for him.

He works on target shooting with the assistance of therapist Dawn Oswald.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

He works on target shooting with the assistance of therapist Dawn Oswald.

Krumwiede prepares to put on a shorter pair of prosthetics to practice riding his longboard.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Krumwiede prepares to put on a shorter pair of prosthetics to practice riding his longboard.

He walks with student physical therapist Tommy Weber.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

He walks with student physical therapist Tommy Weber.

Krumwiede walks from an airplane with friends and family as he returns to his hometown of Pocatello, Idaho.
. Pocatello, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Krumwiede walks from an airplane with friends and family as he returns to his hometown of Pocatello, Idaho.

He shoots targets with a pellet gun while he hangs out with friends at home.
. Pocatello, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

He shoots targets with a pellet gun while he hangs out with friends at home.

Krumwiede is interviewed by local media after returning to his hometown.
. Pocatello, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Krumwiede is interviewed by local media after returning to his hometown.

He wears a wrist band in memory of his friend Sterling Wyatt who was killed in Afghanistan.
. San Antonio, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

He wears a wrist band in memory of his friend Sterling Wyatt who was killed in Afghanistan.

"Every day he is becoming stronger."
Jim Urquhart, Reuters Photographer

It’s been just over two years since Sgt. Matt Krumwiede’s life was changed forever by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. Until last month, it had been even longer since he had last set foot in his home in Pocatello, Idaho.

On Sunday, June 29 Matt came home for a short visit for the first time since a homemade bomb tore away both his legs while he was on patrol in Kandahar.

Many of those who were there to welcome him back last saw him before he was injured. He still is the spitting image of his twin brother Mark, who is also in the army, but now Matt walks on prosthetic legs.

Despite his injuries, it could have been so much worse. Since meeting Matt I’ve heard many people say they were surprised he lived through the explosion that hit him on June 12, 2012.

Since that day he has endured dozens of surgeries, but an operation this spring to close up an open wound in his stomach finally seems to have given him real independence.

When I first saw Matt about a year ago at Brooke Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, I knew I had met a young man who had the heart to continue the fight to recover. But in the back of my mind I was fearful that the pain of healing might be too much. Many others haven’t managed it.

Over the course of the year my fears have been pushed aside. Matt is now considering the many options in front of him.

He soon will have the chance to leave the army but he would like to stay if he can find a job that keeps him active and, preferably, in the outdoors. He spoke of becoming a drill sergeant or training other soldiers either domestically or abroad.

Another possibility is to return temporarily to Idaho or to go back to school before embarking on a possible career path as a park ranger or security contractor.

Matt said he had delayed coming home until he was more independent and his wounds had healed. He wanted nothing more than to stand and walk on his own.

Every day he is becoming stronger. During the process that he’s been through in San Antonio, he’s always kept the people back in Idaho, a time zone away, in his thoughts.

"Knowing people back home care and support you ... the recovery process is also for them, not just myself," he said.

. Pocatello, United States. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

A sign welcomes Krumwiede home in Pocatello.