Master Cpl. Paul Franklin’s huge sacrifice for his country is evident for all to see.

Master Cpl. Paul Franklin, with his son, Simon, by his side, talks to young students about battling back from losing both his legs to war injuries while serving in Afghanistan. Submitted photo

JIM DAY,  The Guardian

One quick glance at the 40-year-old corporal walking on his two artificial legs — replacements for the fallout of an attack in January 2006 while serving in Afghanistan — leaves no doubt to the large physical toll paid in his abbreviated tour of duty.

His climb back has been monumental (he underwent 26 surgeries, including the amputation of his remaining right leg), garnering him widespread attention and accolades as he both inspires and prepares others for major battles.

He was serving as a medic with the Canadian Armed Forces when he and colleagues became the fateful target of a taxi loaded with rockets. To lose so much has him weighing time and again the personal loss resulting from his decision to fight for his country.

Was the effort worth the cost?

“Some days I say yes and other days it’s a bit rougher,’’ the candid Franklin says in a telephone interview with The Guardian.

Fighting a feeling of inadequacy has been one of the greatest challenges delivered by that blindsided attack more than two years ago. He likens his inability to return to combat to being “just as important’’ as losing his ability to skateboard with his eight-year-old son, Simon.

Franklin, though, was not destined to wallow in self-pity. Not on his life.

He beat the odds and predictions of doctors in becoming mobile on artificial legs. Yet simply getting around is not nearly enough to give Franklin a sense of purpose or accomplishment. 

He still has a job to do — several, in fact.

Franklin is back at work teaching tactical combat medicine at various bases across the country. He instructs soldiers on how to treat people while they are being shot at.

“I guess the biggest thing that I try to do is put a sense of reality to the situation,’’ he said.

Franklin is also sharing his courageous story of survival and recovery with soldiers and civilians alike. He has already this year alone had close to 15 military speaking engagements and another seven through the Lavin agency, a speakers’ bureau with offices in the United States and Canada.

Islanders will have the opportunity to hear Franklin’s gripping story first-hand when he speaks at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown on April 23.

The Canadian Paraplegic Association of Prince Edward Island (CPA-PEI) is hosting the Paul Franklin Night. Tickets are $10 per person with proceeds going towards the CPA-PEI equipment fund drive.

Franklin said the theme of his speech will be ‘courage is in each of us.’

He said Veterans Affairs Canada has also asked him to speak while he is in Charlottetown.