Kevin Jaye was born in Long Island but spent most of his childhood in Smithsburg, Maryland. He is a 2005 graduate of Washington County Technical High School. Kevin worked a places such as First Data, Office Max, and Mythic Entertainment before he decided to join the Army.
Kevin was injured on June 24, 2012 when he stepped on an IED during his deployment in Afghanistan. As a result he suffered multiple injuries. His right leg was amputated below the knee, his wrist was crushed, his right arm was broken, he lost his right pinky finger, his ear drum ruptured leaving him deaf in his right ear, and his left leg is in the process of limb salvage. He has had close to 30 known surgeries since the accident. Kevin continues to recover at Walter Reed in Bethesda. He has Physical Therapy every day and multiple doctors’ appointments every week. Kevin recently had his left ankle fused in an attempt to save the leg. He is continuing to fight to keep his leg. It is still unclear if the surgery will be successful. He is not a great case for amputation of the left leg because of the amount of skin grafts on the remaining part of the leg.
June 24, 2012 not only changed his life, it changed his family’s too. His Mom, Karen Barnett, moved down to Walter Reed to help care for Kevin. She moved back home in January. This has been a huge step towards Kevin gaining Independence! For over a year and a half his family had to live an hour apart. His Step-Father, David Barnett, visits every weekend and during the week whenever possible. His sister, Megan Jaye, comes to visit when she is able to get a day off from college and work! Their family has experienced things that most of could never imagine! Life as they knew it is completely different but they stick together. Kevin and his family keep a positive attitude which has helped him recover from these serious injuries. Their strength as a family is absolutely amazing and commendable.
Kevin is now in the process of med-boarding out of the Army. It looks like he will have about a year left at Walter Reed as long as everything goes well with the left leg. He is currently taking college classes to prepare for life outside of the Army. To learn more about Kevin and to follow his story click the blue button below.
Kevin was injured on June 24, 2012 when he stepped on an IED during his deployment in Afghanistan. As a result he suffered multiple injuries. His right leg was amputated below the knee, his wrist was crushed, his right arm was broken, he lost his right pinky finger, his ear drum ruptured leaving him deaf in his right ear, and his left leg is in the process of limb salvage. He has had close to 30 known surgeries since the accident. Kevin continues to recover at Walter Reed in Bethesda. He has Physical Therapy every day and multiple doctors’ appointments every week. Kevin recently had his left ankle fused in an attempt to save the leg. He is continuing to fight to keep his leg. It is still unclear if the surgery will be successful. He is not a great case for amputation of the left leg because of the amount of skin grafts on the remaining part of the leg.
June 24, 2012 not only changed his life, it changed his family’s too. His Mom, Karen Barnett, moved down to Walter Reed to help care for Kevin. She moved back home in January. This has been a huge step towards Kevin gaining Independence! For over a year and a half his family had to live an hour apart. His Step-Father, David Barnett, visits every weekend and during the week whenever possible. His sister, Megan Jaye, comes to visit when she is able to get a day off from college and work! Their family has experienced things that most of could never imagine! Life as they knew it is completely different but they stick together. Kevin and his family keep a positive attitude which has helped him recover from these serious injuries. Their strength as a family is absolutely amazing and commendable.
Kevin is now in the process of med-boarding out of the Army. It looks like he will have about a year left at Walter Reed as long as everything goes well with the left leg. He is currently taking college classes to prepare for life outside of the Army. To learn more about Kevin and to follow his story click the blue button below.