Stories of service: honoring the legacy of disabled veterans

United Spinal’s history began in 1946 when a group of paralyzed World War II veterans from New York City banded together to lead the charge for greater civil rights and independence. During Veterans Day and beyond, we recognize the sacrifices and resilience of disabled veterans.

We’re honored to highlight the stories of two of our members who have made invaluable contributions to our country and our organization.

Joshua Keller served in the United States Army from 2013 to 2019. He acquired a C4 spinal cord injury from a negligent shooting. Melinda Simms served in the Air Force from 1985-1988 and is a C4-7 incomplete quadriplegic. While in the military she developed spinal stenosis and also has a bulging disc in her spinal cord.

How did you get involved with United Spinal and what impact has the organization had on you?

Josh found his calling through mentorship. “I first became involved with United Spinal when I started volunteering as a peer mentor for the SCI Boston chapter. I’ve always felt a calling to give back to the spinal cord injury community. Since then I have become a support group leader for one of SCI Boston’s busiest virtual support groups,” he says.

“Being able to listen to and support others as they navigate the intimate highs and lows that we deal with following these injuries has opened my mind and my heart in many ways that I don’t think would be possible if I hadn’t had this spinal cord injury.”

He also is a part of Paralyzed Veterans of America, which he recommends as a resource for the SCI community and that provides support in the civilian sector as well.

Melinda found her voice as an advocate. She attended our Roll on Capitol Hill and is the advocacy coordinator of our New Hampshire chapter.

“When I first became diagnosed as an incomplete quadriplegic, I became very depressed and could not believe that my role changed from caregiver to care receiver. I met a fantastic woman named, Carol Conforti-Adams, the director of Wheels Health in Motion (WHIM). She does not look highly at excuses or people feeling sorry for themselves. She has been and still is a great motivating force in getting me going again,” she says.

While regaining independence, Melinda found Granite State Independence Living which is part of United Spinal Association’s peer support network. “Over the last several years I have seen United Spinal grow,” she says. “There are numerous working groups available and they are steadily making a big difference in our community’s essential needs for accessibility and equality.

“I urge all members of our community, caregivers and neighbors to get involved with United Spinal Association’s Grassroots Advocacy program and let your voices be heard!”

What does being a veteran mean to you?

“To me, being a veteran means that you have proudly served something that was bigger than you. Personally, I try to remain humble about my service. I’m not really the kind of guy to wear military apparel or flaunt the fact that I served. Being a veteran means that you are part of the one percent that made the decision to serve,” says Josh.

“People serve for many different reasons but regardless of the ‘why’, being a veteran means that you signed up for something at the potential risk of your own life and that is an admirable ideal.”

“Pride and honor in our country. Sacrifices made to protect and serve every human being in our very precious country,” says Melinda.

What is an experience that had an impact on you during your service?

Josh reflects on an experience he had with a local boy in Afghanistan.

“While deployed in 2014, I was guarding the area where my teammates were learning how to detect and dispose of improvised explosive devices. I began noticing a little boy who came out every day to sit and watch some of the explosions. On the last day I was there, the little boy came up to me and handed me a bracelet that he had made.”

“I traded him some M&M‘s and went about my day. I wore that bracelet on my body armor throughout the deployment and later on throughout my Army career. I still have that bracelet sitting next to me in my office as I write this. I am proud of my service in Afghanistan and thankful for the opportunity to spend time in that country. When I look at this gift, I often wonder where this little boy is at in his life now,” says Josh.

Melinda remembers the impact of saving a man’s life with the help of local doctors. “We had an airman that was in a terrible accident on base. He was unconscious and his lung collapsed. We had a small 10-bed hospital on the base so we did not have the advanced equipment to save him,” she says.

“We rushed by ambulance to the local Misawa hospital where the doctors were quick to assist us with the equipment we needed. In collaboration with the Japanese doctors and nurses we were able to save this young man’s life!”

What is the coolest place you lived?

Josh appreciates the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. “I’ve spent time in Afghanistan and  Oman and although those countries were beautiful and cool to visit, nothing compared to the States. My favorite place that I lived while in the service was Washington State and nothing compares to the natural beauty in the Pacific Northwest. I explored the entire state of Washington on my Harley Davidson motorcycle while I was stationed there and those are the experiences that I wouldn’t trade for the world,” he says.

“I would head out with no destination in mind, setting up camp wherever I was on the side of the road with nothing but my bike, a poncho and a sleeping bag.”