“I’m doing good. I’m walking again. It’s a nice feeling to be walking again.”
That’s an understatement, coming from Sgt. Adam Hartswick, the State College native who was seriously wounded in Afghanistan.
Hartswick, 22, is a 2009 State College High School graduate who lost both legs while serving as a combat medic in Afghanistan.
He was helping injured soldiers when an improvised explosive device blew up last May. The explosion killed four U.S. service members. Hartswick has been recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside of Washington, DC.
Just a few days ago, the hometown hero received medical clearance to begin walking on two prosthetic legs. That’s a major milestone on Hartswick’s road to recovery. “It obviously hard,” he says of the physical therapy he’s receiving. “I can’t begin to describe the physical and emotional challenge after what I’ve been through.”
But at the same time, Hartswick is keeping a positive outlook, just ask his mom, Morgan Hummel. “He’s doing great,” she says. He’s a healthy, strong young man — doing what he needs to do.
As for seeing her son learn to walk again, Hummel says, “It’s very emotional. It’s like watching his second set of first steps.”
Hummel and Adam’s dad, Sean Hartswick, are divorced. But they’re dedicated parents. The pair is taking turns, working in three week shifts as their son’s non-medical attendants.
Hummel says she and her former husband have put their careers on hold, to, “carry on and make the best of it.”
Adam can’t say enough about the staff caring for him at Walter Reed, They are the best surgeons in the world and the best nurses in the world. The nurses, I can’t describe them. They’re angels.”
On another front, new legislation has been introduced in Harrisburg to honor Sgt. Hartswick.
State Rep. Scott Conklin is pushing a bill to rename part of of Route 45 as the Sgt. Adam Hartswick Interchange.
The name would apply to the section of Route 45 that runs from Route 26 in Pine Grove Mills to U.S Business Route 322 in Boalsburg.
“Sgt. Hartswick is a hero,” Conklin says. “He began his career in service as a volunteer with Centre LifeLink EMS and preserved a long-standing family tradition by enlisting in the U.S. Army … Hartswick’s commitment to his community and country runs deep and the courage he displayed protecting his comrades and fellow citizens is beyond description.
“Renaming this Route 45 interchange is a small token of appreciation, but it is my hope it would serve as a larger reminder of Sgt. Hartswick’s courage, sacrifice and selflessness that is an inspiration to all.”
Asked about efforts to add his name to Route 45, Sgt. Hartswick says, I’m honored. I really appreciate it. I was just doing my job; doing what had to be done.”
His buddies in the combat zone are always first and foremost on Hartswick’s mind. He recently met a woman who thought the war was over and that made quite an impact.
“I just want to say, I want people to remember the war is still going on. There are still people in harm’s way. They’re fighting to keep us safe. People need to remember that.”
Hummel echoes those sentiments. She knows other families aren’t as lucky as hers. “As a mother, I have to say my heart goes out to all the mothers who don’t have their sons.”
Hartswick is looking forward to his next visit to State College, but he’s not sure when that might happen. His therapy will take from eight months to a year, so there’s a lot of work left to do before he leaves the hospital for good.
But Hartswick has a message for everyone back home, “Thank you for all the love and support.”
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