Focus on Ability

Focus on Ability

Comprehensive Recovery Plan – Planning for Transition

When a Marine is wounded, ill or injured, he or she must focus on recovering to the fullest extent possible. Beyond physical healing, all wounded, ill and injured (WII) Marines are faced with two primary choices: to remain in the Marine Corps, if feasible, or to return to their civilian community. The Wounded Warrior Regiment (WWR) helps WII Marines navigate this process using the Comprehensive Recovery Plan (CRP), created with the help of their Recovery Care Coordinator (RCC).

Major Shawn Swanson has utilized his CRP with the assistance of his RCC to prepare for retirement. Major Swanson was a career Marine, closing on his 20 year anniversary with the Marine Corps when he was hit from behind on Interstate 79 near Pittsburg, Penn. His car flipped numerous times and he suffered a skull fracture and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

During his recovery, he worked closely with his RCC, Ms. Sarah Maddox, who was formerly with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Developing goals, such as ensuring Maj Swanson received all compensation and benefits he was due, and then breaking them down into each action step with the appropriate contact was invaluable to reaching his goal. “I did need a great deal of assistance in getting forms and applications submitted. Each item in the plan was a mission for me, so I got them done as soon as possible so I could move on to the next item” stated Maj Swanson. “This guided me in the right direction.”

With his RCC focusing on the steps needed to achieve his goals, Maj Swanson could focus his energy on his mental recovery, knowing that the CRP would guide him to complete his goals.

Swanson used his Smartphone to keep track of action items and ensure they were accomplished. “I do have TBI and I do forget items. My Smartphone helped to keep me on track” explained Swanson.

Swanson’s planning doesn’t end with retirement. In the fall of 2013, he will begin graduate school at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. He also wants to advance his American Sailing Association certification, continue to be a Team Beachbody Coach and make his Swanny-Rondack chairs (proceeds from which benefit a non-profit organization).

For more information about the Comprehensive Recovery Plan, check out the Wounded Warrior Regiment’s fact sheet.