OPERATION BEN : the concert for Ben Tomlinson by Benjamin Nunnally
On May 1 , 2010 , Marine Sgt . Ben Tomlinson stood atop a roof in Afghanistan , providing cover for his Force Recon teammates as they cleared buildings , looking for explosives and the tools used to make them . He ’ d been deployed once before , a stint that ended when shrapnel from a nearby mortar explosion took him out of action . Nine months later , on that Afghani rooftop , he took another hit : a bullet to his chest , injuring his spine , which left him paralyzed from the chest down , with partial paralysis in his arms and hands .
“ You ’ ve heard of focusing on the process instead of the results ,” asked Tomlinson , now back home for just over a year . “ I started out on a breathing machine . Being able to breathe on my own was one of the first steps ,” he said , detailing the long process of figuring out how to make his body work with a substantial injury holding him down .
He had to learn to eat by himself , to sit up in bed , even to lift his own arms . As his strength grew , he started finding new ways to get back to his old self .
On May 19 , the Lt . Dan Band , featuring actor Gary Sinise , will be performing a concert at the Jacksonville State University stadium to raise money for a smart home , which will be donated to Ben as a way to help him normalize his everyday living .
“ This is a big deal for my independence ,” said Tomlinson . Since coming back home , he ’ s had to have someone close by to help with daily tasks like laundry , cooking and cleaning , and getting dressed . But the automated systems in the house will help him take care of his needs without assistance in most cases .
Cabinets with shelves that are lowered down to counter-height by motors with the push of a button , and an electric range stove that performs similarly , will allow him to get to his dishes , cook his own food , and eat at counters and tables about two inches lower than usual - the perfect height for Ben in his wheelchair .
THE CONCERT Date : May 19 Time : Gates at 5:00 , show at 6:00
Where : Jacksonville State University Stadium
Admission : $ 25 , $ 35 , $ 50 ( depending on seating ) Kids 5 and under are free
The Lt . Dan Band is a project of the Gary Sinise Foundation , featuring actor Gary Sinise on bass guitar . The 12-member group plays a variety of cover songs , from Bruce Springsteen to Evanescence , blues and pop to big band and motown .
The band is named for one of Sinise ’ s most enduring characters , Lt . Dan Taylor , from the 1994 film Forrest Gump . Sinise chose the name because it ’ s highly recognizable , and , like the veterans the band helps with their concerts , Lt . Dan was an injured veteran who had to find a way to come back to life after war .
All proceeds go to a smart home for Ben Tomlinson . Pick up tickets online at www . operationben . com
An iPad controls the lighting in the house , allows access to video monitoring systems for security and can even let Ben set the temperature and water flow in his shower , before he even enters the room . A great deal of customization can go into the
30 April 2013
INSIGHT