As we celebrate Veteran's Day we have an update to a story we first brought you 8 years ago. It's a story of courage, love and sheer determination. In 2004 Army soldier and Sylvania native Matthew Drake was critically injured when a bomb exploded in Iraq. 13abc's Lissa Guyton has been covering his remarkable recovery for years, and she spent time with him today before he spoke to students at a Sylvania Junior High School.
Lissa says it is amazing to see how much progress he's made since the last time she spoke with him. From the very beginning, Matthew's dogged determination has proved doctors and textbooks wrong.
He has a quick wit, an infectious smile and his story should make you proud to be an American, "No one comes home without scars both inside and out."
Matthew's world changed on October 15, 2004. He was driving an armored humvee that was attacked by a suicide bomber. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and the four other soldiers riding with him were killed, "Recovery from my wounds has been the toughest battle of my life. I was trained to be tough and I'm not about to quit."
Matthew spent several weeks in a coma. At first doctors didn't know if he'd live, let alone walk and talk again. Our cameras were with him in 2005 as he was going through his painful recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D-C. We also went to Omaha, Nebraska in 2007 as Matthew went through what's called post acute rehabilitation. His mother Lisa Schuster says the center taught her son to really live again,"There's surviving and then there's living and at first I thought my son had just survived, but now I know he's going to live, really live and be happy and I thought we'd lost that."
It's hard for most of us to imagine the painful and often difficult road he's traveled in the years since then but today he has two part time jobs and lives in the Ann Arbor area, "I am here, I'm doing a lot better and it feels great."
He speaks to groups about his experience and he's never lost his infectious smile and optimism,"Sometimes it's hard not to be able to do what I used to do and sometimes it's hard to admit that I have to ask for help but it's just the way it is."
As Matthew speaks to people about his life he says his most important message is to encourage all of us to never forget all of those who serve,"God bless America and God bless you."
Matt and his mom Lisa just came back from "The Stand up for Heroes" event in New York City.
They say it was an amazing experience to not only meet all kinds of famous people but to spend time with others who are going through the same things Matthew has been through. All of us at 13abc thank Matthew and all those who serve.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:32:26 GMT
About 100 volunteers with the Woodlawn Cemetery Memorial Day Association placed flags on veterans' graves Friday in preparation for Memorial Day. The volunteers placed nearly 6,000 flags in all. It's
About 100 volunteers with the Woodlawn Cemetery Memorial Day Association placed flags on veterans' graves Friday in preparation for Memorial Day.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:34 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:34:47 GMT
A change of course may have saved some jobs at the Lucas County Board of Elections Friday. The meeting started with an agenda that said "termination of employees." But just as the board meeting started,
A change of course may have saved some jobs at the Lucas County Board of Elections Friday. The meeting started with this agenda that said "termination of employees." But just as the board meeting started, board president Ron Rothenbuhler made a statement that in lieu of terminations, he wants the Lucas County Human Resources Department to work toward positive solutions to issues.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:16 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:16:18 GMT
Bowling Green Police have issued a warrant for a Toledo man wanted for robbery. Jesse Bays, 26, was identified after police released surveillance images and got a tip that helped ID him. Officials say
Bowling Green Police have issued a warrant for a Toledo man wanted for robbery. Jesse Bays, 26, was identified after police released surveillance images and got a tip that helped ID him.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:08:47 GMT
We've been telling you about the new Toledo built Jeep Cherokee for a long time. As you know, it was unveiled at the New York City Auto Show in March. It is now very close to full production, but before
You have a chance to get a look at the new Toledo built Jeep Cherokee at a local dealer.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:04:46 GMT
There are new details in the cat killing controversy in Stryker that we first told you about in March. Stryker Police Chief Steve Schlosser pleaded no contest to animal cruelty in Bryan Municipal Court
A judge found Chief Steve Schlosser guilty and sentenced him to pay a $500 fine, plus court costs. It all stems from a stray cat killing controversy 13abc first reported in March.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:32:26 GMT
About 100 volunteers with the Woodlawn Cemetery Memorial Day Association placed flags on veterans' graves Friday in preparation for Memorial Day. The volunteers placed nearly 6,000 flags in all. It's
About 100 volunteers with the Woodlawn Cemetery Memorial Day Association placed flags on veterans' graves Friday in preparation for Memorial Day.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:16 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:16:18 GMT
Bowling Green Police have issued a warrant for a Toledo man wanted for robbery. Jesse Bays, 26, was identified after police released surveillance images and got a tip that helped ID him. Officials say
Bowling Green Police have issued a warrant for a Toledo man wanted for robbery. Jesse Bays, 26, was identified after police released surveillance images and got a tip that helped ID him.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:08:47 GMT
We've been telling you about the new Toledo built Jeep Cherokee for a long time. As you know, it was unveiled at the New York City Auto Show in March. It is now very close to full production, but before
You have a chance to get a look at the new Toledo built Jeep Cherokee at a local dealer.
The debate about legalizing marijuana is happening in most states across the country. Across the state line in Michigan, residents can now legally use medical marijuana. The Toledo Blade’s Kris Turner is working on a two-part series about the changing marijuana laws.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:29 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:29:25 GMT
Lots of people will be outside this Memorial Day weekend. They might be barbecuing, maybe fishing or hiking. Ticks will also be out this weekend. Ticks prefer the upper 60s, low brush and tall grass. The
The mild Memorial Day weekend weather will have people out enjoying the outdoors. The ticks will also be out. Health officials say if bitten people can become very sick.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:02 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:02:20 GMT
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary. Police say he tried to break into a
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:27:22 GMT
Toledo police need your help identifying some robbery suspects. Police say someone broke into the Eastgate Carryout on May 11. They released surveillance images of the people believed to be responsible,
Toledo police need your help identifying some robbery suspects. Police say someone broke into the Eastgate Carryout on May 11. They released surveillance images of the people believed to be responsible, as well as the vehicle they were driving.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:04:26 GMT
Two Toledo children have been missing since Sunday. According to police, 14-year-old Rochelle White and 15-year-old Zachery White ran away from home. The children's mother reported them missing May 20. If
Two Toledo children have been missing since Sunday. According to police, 14-year-old Rochelle White and 15-year-old Zachary White ran away from home. The children's mother reported them missing May 20.