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Iraq veteran headed to Washington D.C. to get high tech prosthetic leg

Local nonprofit Veterans Medical Leadership Council steps up to provide airfare

PHOENIX (July 8, 2010) – Nick Williams is headed to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. to be fitted for a special new prosthetic leg after losing his right leg when an IED exploded near him in Iraq in 2007.

Williams served as a Specialist in the Military Police for two years in Iraq before he was injured. Since returning home, Williams has received excellent medical care from the Phoenix VA Health Care System.  One of his passions is kayaking and he has recently taken up race car driving.

This month, with support from the Veterans Medical Leadership Council, Williams will travel to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to get his new leg. While there doctors will cast a mold of his left leg, and from that cast, they will create a prosthetic right leg that will look just like his real leg, right down to the skin tone and hair.

“Our returning veterans face many challenges when they return home,” said Gregg Maxon, president of the VMLC. “The VMLC exists to help our veterans like Nick, who have sacrificed for us.” 

One of the challenges that returning veterans face is finding meaningful work as he or she reintegrates into the civilian world.  However, through the VMLC’s Returning Warriors program, veterans can be matched up with veteran friendly businesses. Williams found employment with U-Haul, through U-haul’s “GI Jobs” program. He also plans to attend Mesa community college in the fall to further his education with the help of the new GI bill.

“U-Haul is honored to salute the many heroes who have given life and limb to defend our freedom,” stated Joe Shoen, chairman and CEO, U-Haul International, Inc. “These young people have sacrificed so much in duty to their country.  Supporting the VMLC’s Returning Warrior Project and providing our veterans with a high priority in the employment process is a way in which U-Haul is able to thank our veterans for their service and we are thrilled to be able to do this.”

About the Veterans Medical Leadership Council

The Veterans Medical Leadership Council (VMLC) is a non-profit organization (501c19 and 501c3) that is dedicated to improving the health and welfare of Veterans in Maricopa County.  The group is made up of community and business leaders who are also military veterans.  Retired Brig. Gen. Gregg Maxon is president of the VMLC.  The VMLC raises funds through their annual Heroes One and All Luncheon, held annually in November.