In July, Army Specialist Ryan Major, his mother and members of his rehab team had a surprise visit from Senator Robert Dole while visiting National Rehabilitation Hospital. Dole co-chaired the White House Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors and NRH President and CEO Edward Eckenhoff served as a member on that Presidential Commission.

Last November, Specialist Major, 22, suffered severe wounds when an improvised explosive device detonated near him as he searched for suspected bomb makers on foot patrol with his unit in Ramadi, Iraq. His injuries resulted in the amputation of both legs, damage to both arms and a traumatic brain injury. Ryan’s division had been in Iraq for nearly a year at the time of his injury. Once stabilized, Ryan returned stateside and received acute care in the Baltimore area. Ryan then came to NRH for extensive physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Senator Dole is no stranger to NRH having been honored in 1986 with one of the Hospital’s very first Victory Awards®. The Victory Award® is a nationally recognized celebration of the victory of the human spirit and honors those individuals who best exemplify exceptional strength and courage in the face of physical adversity. Later, Dole made one of his first campaign stops at NRH when he ran for President in 1996.