Editor's Note: Caution advised. Some photos in this story may be disturbing to readers.
OSHKOSH, Wis.— A veteran from Oshkosh has found a new purpose in life.
After being injured in combat, Army veteran Adam Alexander has had a long road to recovery but his positive attitude and outlook on life drives his new mission: Living life, instead of simply existing through it, all while helping other veterans do the same.
Alexander enlisted in the Army reserves in 2008. In 2011, he was deployed overseas when his base was attacked.
During the attack, he was shot in the head by a sniper. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and lost his eye. He spent a long time recovering in multiple hospital.
But through all that, his spirits never got down.
“They gave me a five percent chance to survive; thankfully I’m not that good at math,” Alexander said.
He made the decision to wake up each day with a positive attitude and a bright outlook on life.
It’s the little things in life that bring him joy each day, like a cup of coffee in the morning.
“It’s hard to have a bad day anymore. Everyday is sunny and 75,” Alexander said.
“I survived so I might as well live and not just exist. I try to live my best life everyday. And look on the bright side of everything because life is too short to take too serious or to focus on the bad things,” Alexander said.
Now, he has found himself a new mission to be passionate about. He works with multiple veteran organizations to help other veterans just like him.
“I feel like my mission is to do everything I can to make sure the veteran community is taken care of, so our veteran community can live a life of dignity and honor and get the benefits that they deserve,” Alexander said.
People around him can truly feel what an inspiring human being he is. His sole purpose in life it to help others— a mission this army veteran has a true passion for.