TORRINGTON – In a recent Facebook post, Kassy McKimmey asked for the community’s financial support for her husband, now retired Corporal David McKimmey of the United States Army. David is a 2003 graduate of Torrington High School and he, his wife Kassy, the couple’s two daughters and one son now reside in Aurora, Nebraska. 

David was wounded in action while serving in Iraq in September 2007 when an improved explosive device (IED) buried in the road exploded as the Humvee he was riding drove on the road north of Balad, Iraq. Unaware of his injuries, David attempted to save the life of his comrade who was trapped in the Humvee, and he provided first aid until the evacuation team arrived. He served about three and a half years before being medically retired, he explained. 

In October of 2012, David was awarded the Bronze Star of Valor by Former United States Senator, Mike Enzi.

Now, at age 39, David is facing a lower limb amputation to be scheduled in a few months, the couple posted on their Facebook feed last week.

“This wasn’t easy for me to do since asking for help isn’t really our thing. However, the time has come that we need to ask,” Kassy’s Facebook post explained. “David McKimmey will be having his lower right leg amputated in a couple of months. As soon as I have the exact date I will make an update, but we should know in the next couple of days. The time has come when the brace and simple surgery just won’t help, and an amputation is the best chance to improve his quality of life in the long run. David was injured 17 years ago and over time the injury has just gotten worse,” Kassy concluded.

David has spent many years treating his injured leg, according to the family. 

“David is an Iraq war veteran who was injured in Iraq in 2007 and since then he has been through many surgeries and ups and downs with his care through the (United States) Veterans Administration (VA). David has managed his injuries over the last 17 years as best as he can with the assistance through the VA,” Kassy wrote on the GoFundMe page she established for her family. “When he was injured in Iraq, he sustained a very traumatic injury to his lower leg. At the time the doctors did what they thought best, and that was to keep his leg. Over the last ten years, he has been able to walk and do daily activities with the assistance of a brace. Now the time has come that a simple surgery will no longer help him,” the GoFundMe explained. 

David knew he would have issues with his leg injury. 

“I was hit by an IED in Iraq. It shattered my tibia and split my tibia and fibula from my ankle. When I was brought back to the [United] States, the doctors tried to save my leg, which they did, but stated that I’d have issues with it and it may need to be amputated, at some point anyway,” David recalled. “Well 17 years later, it is to that point. My tibia and fibula are growing together. My ankle is fusing itself, and I have horrible pain even with the use of a brace that I wear daily.” 

David and Kassy’s daughters are “very active,” and the injuries to David’s leg have made everyday life, difficult and painful, he describes. 

“It is difficult because I can’t always do everything, I want to due to pain,” David said. “I’m 100% service connected with the VA so luckily that gives me the ability to chase kids around for school and sports.”

David was given a few options, he explained, to help treat his injured leg.

“After talking to my orthopedic surgeon, I was given three options. First was shots, which would work temporarily and doesn’t give any mobility. Do a full fusion, which may lead to an amputation later down the road or amputate it now. We decided it was best to amputate while I’m younger and can heal better than to do it when I’m older,” David explained. 

As one could imagine, the family will have a few rough months ahead as they navigate through the surgery and recovery process and the McKimmeys are worried about the financial strain the surgery will have on the family.

“There are going to be many added expenses that will come with the process and for up to a year after the amputation. We have three children that I will be caring for as well as my daily care for David. There will be many trips over the upcoming months to get him to his doctors for physical therapy, rehab and to eventually get him into a prosthetic. All of this on top of an extended hospital stay,” Kassy explained.

“The biggest thing to let people know is that it’s for my family. Not me,” David explained. “My wife will have to drive twice a day to see me in the hospital, then go get kids and bring them to see me and some other expenses that go along with it. It’s to make sure they are good while I’m in the hospital, and while I’m recovering at home.”

The McKimmeys have set up the GoFundMe page for donations at https://gofund.me/b834713d however they are also accepting donations via Cashapp at $MrsMcKimmey, via Venmo at @David-McKimmey.

“Even the smallest of donations will help us in the long run as everything will be saved until the time of the amputation. If you are unable to donate, we completely understand as times are hard right now. If you are unable to donate, I just ask that you simply share this fundraiser and help, get the word out,” the GoFundMe reads. 

Even though the days ahead are rough, David is looking forward to his surgery and learned on Tuesday morning, his surgery date will be November 14.

“I’m excited to be able to do more and not be in so much pain,” David explained.