Providing a Light in the Dark

For many students, the decision to study physical therapy (PT) comes from a personal experience. For Marine Corps veteran Kevin Vaughan (B.S. ’21), healing from combat injuries inspired him to become a light in the dark for others, just as PT professionals illuminated his own road to recovery.

“Physical therapy saved the lives of many military members that may have thought they were in an irreversible situation,” says Vaughan, who is pursuing his Doctor of Physical Therapy after earning a bachelor’s degree in health sciences. “The hospital staff never gave up on us even when we were doubtful that any progress would be made.”

In September 2011, Vaughan was conducting military operations in Afghanistan when he was struck by an improvised explosive device. Immediately evacuated, stabilized, and transferred to Germany, he returned to the United States that October and was admitted to the Walter Reed Medical Center (WRMC) in Bethesda, Md. There, he received treatment for 18 months, including more than 30 surgeries for injuries including third-degree burns, broken bones, and a below-the-knee amputation on his left leg.

Remembering the physical therapy facility as “very grim,” with tens of military personnel in various states of injury, Vaughan initially lost hope and was scared for his future. But, he says, the staff “built us up to be who we once were. Perhaps even better than we had been.” Where he was once broken—both physically and emotionally—Vaughan is now healed.

“A positive therapeutic environment can be transformative,” he says, citing his experience at WRMC as life-changing. “I was truly inspired by the staff members, who led us on the journey from despair to a renewed hope about the possibilities for the future. I hope I can be that for people someday.”

As a kind reminder of his service and both physical and mental sacrifices, the New York State Senate inducted Vaughan into its 2012 Veterans’ Hall of Fame. In 2015, the nonprofit Building Homes for Heroes gifted him with a mortgage-free home in Merrick, N.Y., outfitted with everything he needed to settle in comfortably. In turn, Vaughan is able to give people something possibly even more valuable: the guidance necessary to regain a sense of agency with respect to their lives and their future.

The School of Health Professions student is already doing his part. Last fall, Vaughan was among a group of PT students who volunteered at the Adele Smithers Parkinson’s Disease Treatment Center’s Rock Steady Boxing classes. There, they provided rehabilitative services to Parkinson’s patients. In June, he will take part in an eight-week clinical rotation at an outpatient orthopedic clinic, where he will assist in handling his clinical instructor’s caseload, as well as conduct evaluations and document cases.

Endearingly called the “grandfather of the program,” the 35-year-old frequently offers his classmates some words of wisdom from his life experiences. In return, they offer him tips on how to navigate studying and classroom learning with today’s technology. But, most importantly, Vaughan has found family within his program’s community, a reminder of the camaraderie he once had in the military.

Finally feeling like he is on the right path and doing what he was always meant to do, Vaughan looks forward to his future career. He plans to earn additional certifications and may someday pursue a Ph.D. But before settling down in a full-time role, he would like to conquer a sky-high goal, literally: to hike to Mount Everest’s base camp.

“Every setback is a set-up for a comeback,” Vaughan states. “Keep pushing, keep believing, and never let the weight of the moment steal the greatness of your journey to become your ultimate self.”