Virginia Cadet Overcomes Health Scare to Reclaim Air Force Career
In a dramatic turn of events, William Carter McGee, an aerospace engineering student from the University of Virginia, faced the prospect of his military career ending before it truly began. While moving into his new apartment, McGee experienced distressing symptoms that left him unable to feel part of his body.
Recalling the incident, McGee shared, “After about the third or fourth load, I sat down and took a break. I started to flex my feet, and I realized I couldn’t feel that I was flexing my feet. I noticed that I had lost feeling down there and on my right side.” His fellow cadets noticed something was wrong when they received incoherent text messages from him and quickly called for medical assistance.
Initially, doctors suspected McGee had suffered a stroke, a diagnosis that threatened his Air Force scholarship and future service. “I would lose the scholarship, and I would not be able to commission,” McGee stated, reflecting on the potential impact.
However, subsequent medical evaluations revealed that McGee had experienced an “abnormal migraine,” a condition with symptoms mimicking a stroke but not disqualifying him from military duty. Despite this finding, the Air Force records still reflected the initial stroke diagnosis.
Determined to clear the record, McGee embarked on a mission to correct the misdiagnosis. He painstakingly gathered and organized medical documentation to support his case, crafting a detailed two-page memo. “The investigation was really on me,” McGee explained. “I didn’t want to send them random medical documents and tests. I sent them all those documents referenced in a two-page memo I wrote that went through the evidence chronologically.”
His efforts were supported by Tech Sgt. Dustin Kearns of UVA’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 890, who played a crucial role in advocating for McGee. “He was my biggest champion, and he would do it for any cadet,” McGee remarked, praising Kearns for his dedication. Kearns highlighted the persistent effort required, stating, “We were ultimately able to get him qualified for duty again, but it took quite a bit of work.”
Throughout the ordeal, McGee faced academic challenges and emotional strain, but support from friends helped him persevere. “It was very upsetting, because at that point I was totally bought into the Air Force,” McGee said. His friends provided encouragement, helping him maintain a positive outlook during the difficult time.
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