On December 4, 2018, while on patrol with his team and Afghan counterparts, U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Ian Prescott was shot by enemy forces. Suffering from heavy internal bleeding, Ian was quickly evacuated to a nearby operating base. Unfortunately, due to his severe injuries, doctors surgically removed Ian’s left kidney, spleen, and portions of his pancreas. Ian also suffered a damaged left lung, pancreas, diaphragm, and intestines. In addition, his L1 and L2 vertebras were shattered, and with the damage to his spinal cord, he was paralyzed from the waist down.

Following his initial surgeries, Ian returned to the U.S. and spent the remainder of his recovery at Brook Army Medical Center and then at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Ga. With the support of his family, doctors, physical therapists, and various organizations, Ian quickly recovered and returned to his home within months.

Born in 1982, Ian grew up in Western Washington with his parents and two siblings. Ian’s family moved to Oklahoma during his teenage years, where he later attended Oklahoma State. However, it was not until after Ian received his degree in history that he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army to support his growing family. In 2006, he began basic training at Fort Benning and later was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. Ian deployed ten times to Afghanistan, Iraq, Columbia, and Puerto Rico during his years of service, receiving many accolades, including four Bronze Stars and one Purple Heart.

Ian and his family reside in Florida. He hopes to one-day help injured veterans and share his point of view with them as they go through their processes. As for now, Ian is getting back to doing outdoor activities and intends to work toward his scuba license in the future. As Ian continues to pursue his dreams, the Gary Sinise Foundation looks forward to building him a specially adapted smart home to ease his daily struggles and mobility needs around the house.