Colby Maury-Rice's medical and family expenses

Colby Maury-Rice's medical and family expenses

Colby Maury-Rice is a recent graduate of Sacred Heart Catholic High School, where I used to teach. He enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard in April, making his twin sister, his mom, and his retired Army (combat wounded-disabled) stepfather quite proud. His dream has been to become a combat medic and he told his mom, "If I can save just one soldier, it'll be worth it."

Colby was at Camp Shelby for training--he was supposed to ship out for basic training on 21 Aug and this training was to prepare for that. During this heat wave, several young recruits have suffered heat stroke and heat exhaustion. One soldier died after a fitness run on Friday (11 Aug) and Colby suffered a heat stroke on Saturday (12 Aug). There was no ambulance on hand nor were there any medical personnel on duty. Colby's heart stopped as his temperature spiked and there was no defibrillator. Colby was transported to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg and their staff have worked hard to save him. Today (19 Aug), Colby finally started breathing on his own (with the machine augmenting his efforts).

This is as far as Forrest General can take him. Colby will need extensive rehab and there is no neurological rehab center in the local area. The nearest ones are in Houston and Atlanta. While questions of culpability and consequences will be answered later, it is expected that the Army will cover Colby's basic medical expenses. But his family knows that Tricare usually doesn't cover everything at civilian medical facilities. His mother, Meada Maury-Dockery, is determined to accompany Colby wherever he needs to go for treatment to be his support and his advocate, and the Army will not cover any of her lodging and transportation costs. The family knows this is likely to be a lengthy rehab and Colby will likely need additional support when he comes home.

We ask that you all pray for Colby.

Please donate to support Colby and his family. All funds will go to Colby and his mom.

Army Strong.