A sailor who lost portions of his legs and arms in a bombing in Afghanistan is returning home to Iowa today. This will be Taylor Morris’ first trip to his hometown of Cedar Falls since the May 3rd bomb blast. Morris’ story has spread online with a fundraising website and he had dinner with President Obama.
Tim Dodd is a close friend of Morris and says he’s amazed by his attitude and determination. Dodd says Morris was fitted with prosthetic legs just two months after the incident. “That was completely ahead of schedule,” Dodd said.
“He was just simply waiting for the stitches to come out. And of course the minute he stands, he ended up walking right away. (The doctors) were like, ‘well, he’s already breaking all the rules.” His recovery is going so much faster and so much better than anyone would’ve thought because he’s just so determined.”
Dodd has helped organize a hero’s welcome for Morris’ return to Cedar Falls. That will include a parade around 1 p.m. from the Waterloo Airport into downtown Cedar Falls. “He’s still in the beginning stages of his recovery, but the steps he’s made are just incredible. He’s inspired so many people,” Dodd said.
“I think people are just excited to see his face, in person. For me, that made a huge difference – to see him in person as opposed to just reading about him online or talking to him on the phone.” After the weekend visit, Morris will return to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
By Jill Kasperie, KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids