schei_additional1In October 2005, 21-year-old Army Sgt. Erik Schei was shot in the head during his second tour in Iraq. The bullet shattered the top half of his skull, and doctors told his parents, Gordon and Christine, that he would be paralyzed and in a vegetative state for the rest of his life.

Erik has since made a remarkable recovery, and at StoryCorps, his parents discuss their concerns about the future, and as his primary caretakers, their ability to care for their son as they get older.

Originally aired October 12, 2013, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.

Above: The Schei Family in 2010 from left to right: Anneka, Gordon, Erik, Deven and Christine. Photo courtesy of the Schei family.