Army Soldier Blinded by Suicide Bomber Lives Life to the Fullest, Wants to Run Ironman Triathlon
Scotty Smiley's journey will make you realize anything is possible.
Smiley was in the Army in 2005 when he was blinded by a suicide bomber in Iraq. After a stint in the hospital, he fell into a deep funk, unsure about the rest of his life, while questions ate away at him:
How was I going to take care of my wife, the woman that I love, if I could not even take care of myself?...I was in a state in which I couldn't see past the day."
Eventually, Smiley and his wife, Tiffany, decided no good could come from depression. So, she led the charge to take back their life together:
I could let my mind go that way and say we are ruined and we are not going to be able to do anything. Or I could go the other way and just be his biggest cheerleader. And I just sort of took that on, even if I didn't believe it myself."
The Idaho couple started a family and Scotty embraced life in a way that people who can see probably don't even think is possible for them. He became the Army's first blind active duty officer, got his MBA, climbed Mt. Rainier, and even surfed and skydived. Now, he's focused on competing in an Ironman triathlon and inspiring others.
So, the next time you're feeling down in the dumps, just remember Smiley's story. It'll definitely be the wake-up call you need.