Wounded Marine To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
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RICHARDSON (CBS 11) – Blake Watson, 28, lost his left leg during an IED explosion while on deployment in Afghanistan. The former Marine's injury was a tough one to bounce back from. But his spirit to heal never wavered.
Now, almost six years after that day he suffered the injury, Watson is ready to take on another monumental challenge: He plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Watson said his challenge now is to see "that I still have the mental drive and physical ability to do things like this."
As part of his training he has been receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy at the Hyperbaric Center of Texas. His doctor says his injuries have healed nicely and he is ready for this new challenge.
Watson said part of this trek up Africa's tallest peak is to give thanks to those who saved him from the explosion on the battle field.
"There's a whole list of people from the guys that were there the day I got hurt ... then my family and friends ... this right here is for them," he said. "This is to prove to them that I am taking full advantage of that second opportunity and support that people showed me."
Watson leaves for Tanzania on Tuesday.
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