HM2 Derek McGinnis
Middleton, ID
Derek McGinnis enlisted in the Navy in 1996 in search of adventure, independence, and to be of service to his country.
On November 9, 2004, Hospital Corpsman Second Class McGinnis was serving with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division in Fallujah, Iraq, when a suicide car-bomber struck his ambulance. He suffered a left leg amputation above the knee, shrapnel wounds to his right eye, causing loss of vision, a collapsed lung, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
He was airlifted to Baghdad for immediate treatment before transferring to Landstuhl, Germany, for additional surgery. Stateside, he was sent to Bethesda Naval Hospital. Derek received extensive rehabilitation and physical therapy at multiple locations focused on brain injury and amputation recovery.
Derek is a proud father to Sean, Ryan, and Kyle. He works for Veterans Affairs as a case manager and is a member of Team Semper Fi. He enjoys hunting with his sons and volunteering in his community as a Boy Scout leader and youth sports coach.
In his current non-adapted home, Derek worries about his future mobility needs as he ages. A specially adapted custom HFOT home that accommodates his current lifestyle and future physical needs would offer him the peace of mind to rest and enjoy life without the added stress of navigating a home that no longer fits his abilities. “My HFOT home will be a base for me to enjoy peace and rejuvenate, allowing me to show up every day, continually moving forward,” he says.
Originally from California, Derek is choosing to build his home in Idaho to be close to family and friends.
Derek would like to express his gratitude to HFOT donors and supporters. “Thank you for the opportunity to allow me to live independently in the future.”
Sign Up for Updates:
Connect With Us: