Veteran Dedicates His Life to Supporting Fellow Injured Veterans

CUSTOMER STORY

Veteran Dedicates His Life to Supporting Fellow Injured Veterans

“The van is going to do a lot for me as far as mobility. This is going to be wonderous for me.”

Mike DeLancey joined the Marine Corps after graduating high school and served in the infantry. After his first deployment to Afghanistan, he later deployed to Iraq, where he sustained a life-changing injury.

While serving in Haditha, Iraq, DeLancey was shot by a sniper. The bullet tore through his fifth, sixth and seventh vertebrae and hit his right lung. Instantly, he was paralyzed. Marine Sgt. Michael Guynes, who was deployed with DeLancey at the time, was the first person to reach him following the incident.

"I heard the words, 'DeLancey's down,' and I came out from cover and held on to my buddy. I put pressure on the wound, looked into his eyes, and told him over and over, 'You've got this. You're fine,'" Guynes said.

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Mike DeLancey, from Florida

The van is going to do a lot for me as far as mobility. This is going to be wonderous for me.

Mike DeLancey, from Florida

Mike DeLancey, from Florida

A lot of guys don't want that soccer mom feel. It looks mean from the outside. Even if you weren't paraplegic, guys would be drooling over it.

Mike DeLancey, from Florida

The Injury and Rehabilitation of a Paralyzed Veteran

A medical helicopter rushed in to take DeLancey to the hospital. He flatlined multiple times on the way to Al Asad Air Base. Once stabilized, he was flown to Landstuhl, Germany, for surgery. Eventually, he returned to the U.S. for treatment of his injuries at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where he was placed in a medically induced coma.

After the sedation wore off, DeLancey's family, friends and medical team encouraged him to discontinue use of the ventilator that had been placed while doctors treated his injuries. Once off the ventilator, he was given a choice of four rehabilitation hospitals and chose to return to his home state of Florida for recovery.

For DeLancey, an important part of rehabilitation included maintaining an active lifestyle and participating in sports. He began attending events put on by the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization dedicated to supporting Veterans through mental health services, physical wellness and peer support.

DeLancey not only began participating in adaptive sports such as hand cycling, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball, but he also became a peer mentor to fellow veterans, traveling to Bethesda, Maryland, and the Tampa VA hospital to support those going through similar experiences.

This vehicle shows exactly what I tell the Veterans coming back from war with critical injuries: Just because you've been injured doesn't mean you have to change or settle for something that's not you.

- Mike DeLancy

A Wheelchair Van for a Deserving Veteran

In recognition of his service and support of fellow Veterans, BraunAbility had the privilege of presenting DeLancey with a one-of-a-kind wheelchair accessible Honda Odyssey, which he received through a special low-cost lease. The vehicle's camouflage wrap was exclusive to the model he received. BraunAbility team members and fellow Veterans had the opportunity to attend a ceremony where DeLancey was presented with the vehicle.

Expressing gratitude and excitement for the opportunities his van would provide, DeLancey said, "The van is going to do a lot for me as far as mobility. This is going to be wonderous for me."

The Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch

Since receiving the wheelchair van, DeLancey founded the Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch (WWAR) in his hometown of Pinellas Park, Florida. The city dedicated a 10-acre site of donated land and allocated $1.1 million to start the building. Amid founding his nonprofit, DeLancey received a new BraunAbility wheelchair accessible SUV.

Reflecting on the vehicle, DeLancey said, "This vehicle shows exactly what I tell the Veterans coming back from war with critical injuries: Just because you've been injured doesn't mean you have to change or settle for something that's not you. A lot of guys don't want that soccer mom feel. It looks mean from the outside. Even if you weren't paraplegic, guys would be drooling over it.""

Having a vehicle to keep up with his busy lifestyle and sufficient funding to build the Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch, DeLancey officially opened his nonprofit on the 12-year anniversary of his injury.

The ranch includes multiple pavilions, a multipurpose sports court, a fishing pond, an adaptive outdoor multipurpose gym and playground, and a dog park. Every year on the anniversary of his injury, the Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch hosts an "Alive Ride" to raise money and help more Veterans.

Since its founding, DeLancey's nonprofit has helped thousands of Veterans. In recognition of his service, DeLancey has received a Purple Heart, a NATO Medal and service campaign medals for his time in Iraq and Afghanistan.

To read more Veteran stories or learn about wheelchair accessible vehicles and - for Veterans, visit our Veteran Resources page.

DeLancey is supported by BraunAbility and his local mobility dealer. When you purchase a mobility product from BraunAbility, you join a powerful community.

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