Army Sergeant Luke Cifka’s Road to Recovery

luke cifka
Olympia native, Luke Cifka, credits his wife, Kait, for being the superhero during his recuperation.
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By Eric Wilson-Edge

Olympia Auto Mall sponsorSergeant Luke Cifka catches me off guard. We’re talking about a surgery he underwent when he says something profoundly funny. The procedure made it possible for the Army Sergeant to use prosthetics. “Every time I get new prosthetics I get a little taller and see a new part of my house,” says Cifka. “My wife can’t hide things on top of the freezer anymore.”

Cifka is recovering in a special unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C.  On May 31, 2013 Cifka stepped on an IED while serving in Afghanistan. He lost both his legs above the knee. The blast also broke his pelvis, hands and several facial bones.

luke cifka
Luke Cifka stands for the first time while recuperating at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

An Olympia native, Cifka joined the Army after a few years at Washington State University. “I didn’t want to work behind a desk anymore,” says Cifka. He deployed to Iraq at the end of 2009. “I got back from Iraq and realized the military is what I wanted to pursue as a career.”

Cifka transferred to reconnaissance platoon and from there went to sniper school before redeploying to Afghanistan. He credits the Army for helping him find direction. “I like being part of a unique brotherhood,” says Cifka.

A few weeks ago Cifka, his friends and family celebrated the Sergeant’s Alive Day. “It was a time to reflect on how far we’ve come in the last year and not necessarily dwelling on the anniversary as the day I lost my legs,” comments Cifka.

The process hasn’t been easy. There have been surgeries and setbacks. Cifka suffered a traumatic brain injury in the explosion. He needed both physical and speech rehab therapy. “A lot of peaks and valleys,” notes Cifka. “One day you might have a great success, might set a new record for something you might not have done the week before and the next day you take two steps back.”

Cifka’s attitude helps, as does the support of friends and family. “Kait is really the superhero of the family,” says Cifka in reference to his wife. Kait’s step-father is also in the Army and was stationed with Luke at Fort Stewart, GA before transferring to Fort Lewis. When he found out about Cifka’s injury he asked for and received a compassionate reassignment to nearby Fort Mead.

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After spending 13 months in wheelchair, Cifka is learning how to walk with prosthetics.

Back in Olympia, one of Cifka’s former teachers held a walk-a-thin at Griffin School, in Luke’s honor. The event raised more than $13,000 dollars. The money went toward modifications including building a ramp at Cifka’s in-law’s house.

Cifka spent a large part of the past 13 months in a wheelchair. He just recently started using prosthetics.   “It’s like trying to walk on your knees, all of the muscles associated with taking a step are different.”  Despite the challenge, the Sergeant is happy. “It’s a huge change from being in a wheelchair every day to be able to stand up and walk around.”

Cifka, his wife Kait and their 16-month-old son live at Walter Reed. The place they call home is specially outfitted for wounded soldiers. “This is one of the best places to be for amputees,” says Cifka. The family will remain at the medical center for another year.

What’s next? Sergeant Cifka wants to stay in the Army. He’ll have to go through a medical evaluation board which he’s pretty sure he’ll fail. However, he can appeal the decision.  “I might not be able to do traditional jobs but I have these skills and I can be of service,” says Cifka. He’d love to be an instructor for the sniper school at Fort Benning, but his dream is to be a member of the Army’s Olympic or Paralympic shooting teams.

One of the more lasting parts of our conversations is a jar. The family writes down a positive experience and places it inside. At the end of the year the jar is opened and the experiences are read.  These letters on paper offer perspective.“I don’t think the universe throws anything at you that you can’t handle,” says Cifka.

To follow Cifka’s progress, click here.

 

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