Injured Long Valley Marine: I'm One of The Lucky Ones

In November of 2010, after being hit by schrapnel from an IED explosion. At the time, the 22-year-old man was only doing his job, doing what he was sent overseas to do; serve and protect the country he loves so much.

Tim Fallon has paid a major price for doing his job. He no longer has sight in his left eye, and has minimal vision in his right eye. Fallon now spends six hours a day rehabilitating, learning how to adjust to his new life, and figuring out the road ahead of him.

“Eh, I can’t complain,” Fallon says. “I’m doing alright.”

Currently located at the Hines VA Hospital’s Blind Center just outside of Chicago, Illinois, Fallon’s stay is only temporary. He plans on heading to the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland in May as a member of the Wounded Warrior campaign.

Fallon has , and expects another one this summer. A silicone oil was put into his eyes to preserve his retinas in December, but it may need to be removed. “It’s a catch-22,” Fallon said. “The oil is there to preserve the eye, but it can also be corrosive to the cornea. So when they go in there, they might have to add some or take it out. We’re not sure just yet.”

Fallon hopes the next surgery isn’t like the most recent one, though. “That one hurt,” he said. “They had to put me on a Percocet regimen for a few days.” After the oil was installed, Fallon had to keep his head down, facing the floor for 18 hours a day. He was forced to lie on his stomach when not conducting any activity, and even then needed to keep his head down.

“Literally, it was a pain in the neck,” Fallon said.

For a constantly active Marine, the adjustment to life with minimal vision and a slower pace has been difficult. “I’ve been running on a treadmill, which I used to hate doing,” Fallon said. “I’m starting to get back into working out, but I can’t go for a walk or anything without someone being with me.”

From tanks to technology

Fallon is quickly learning how to read Braille and use the technology available to those with sight impairment. The Marine uses the help of a computer screen reader by the company JAWS, which verbally tells him everything currently presented on the monitor.

“It works really well,” Fallon said. “It tells me what I’m typing if I’m writing an email, and reads things back to me. It’s become pretty engrained in me already.”

Fallon also said he now has an iPhone, which includes voice over technology, allowing him to use all the device’s functions the same way his computer’s screen reader operates.

Not fighting alone

Anytime someone , Tim’s parents, a conversation about their injured son does not end without mention of their soon-to-be daughter in-law, Sarah, and how amazing she has been during Tim’s recovery.

Sarah currently stays at Fischer House, a building designated for family members of veterans at the Hines VA hospital. She is able to telecommute for work as an employee of Ernst & Young, spending non-work hours with Tim.

Sarah’s stay at Fischer House is free, and food is donated to those living there. “The people there are so nice,” Fallon said. “It really is a great place.”

The road ahead

Fallon isn’t completely sure what his next steps are. He’ll be in Bethesda for 9 months to a year taking part in the MEB, or medical evaluation board. He’ll be analyzed and monitored to see if he is able remain a member of the military. If he is approved, he will be given a job and may stay in the armed forces.

“I’m still not sure if that’s what I want to do,” Fallon said. “I’m considering going back to school, so I’ve got some decisions to make.”

Despite the life-changing injury, Fallon keeps his journey, and those in similar situations, in perspective.

“I came back with ten fingers and ten toes. There are times when I definitely feel sorry for myself, but when I was at Walter Reed… there are guys there who lost legs, some are quadriplegics,” Fallon said. “I’m fortunate I even came back. I’m one of the lucky ones.”