Sergeant looking for Wingmen

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Staff Sgt. Justin Morrison, a dog handler with the 96th Security Forces, is like many young Airmen stationed here; he has a promising career, a loving wife and a home with a large mortgage.

Sergeant Morrison's world changed three months ago when his wife of almost three years suffered a setback that threatens her life.

Jennifer Morrison grew up with cystic fibrosis, the chronic disease which affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States. In 2005, Jenny underwent a double lung transplant . For the last three years, Sergeant Morrison and his wife enjoyed the life that most young couples do, a loving relationship that included adopting Blesk, a military working dog that retired due to a degenerative joint disease. Now, Jenny's new lungs are failing.

"The double lung transplant three years ago saved her life," Sergeant Morrison said. "She was doing really good in school and working full-time."

Today, Jenny's lungs function at just 19 percent and she is currently at the University of Alabama at Birmingham hospital waiting for another double lung transplant. The 26-year-old is on more than 25 medications to help with the pain and give her a fighting chance until a donor is found.

Sergeant Morrison waits by his wife's side while he tries to figure out how he will handle the rising financial costs of making his wife whole again. While TRICARE covers all of her medical needs, the sergeant worries about making his mortgage payments while he pays the cost of living in Birmingham. Jenny can't stay in the hospital while she waits for a donor; but she must stay close to the hospital to be ready for surgery when one is found. Even though the Morrisons are on a waiting list for the UAB townhouse, the University's version of a Fisher House, there's 20 people ahead of them.

"The main problem with the transplant is we have to stay up here and find a furnished apartment and that's pricy," Sergeant Morrison said. "With a mortgage payment and the cost of gas and food on a staff sergeant's salary ... it's not getting any easier."

The 96 SFS is doing everything it can to help the Morrisons out. First Sergeant, Master Sgt. Juanita Crain, said that Sergeant Morrison is on permissive TDY status and squadron friends are taking care of his house here and the family pets. The First Sergeants Association donated some money to the family, but the bills are beginning to pile up.

"(Sergeant Morrison) is paying sixty dollars a night to stay there and Jenny has to stay in the local area," Sergeant Crain said. "All the non-medical bills are very costly."

Sergeant Morrison said his squadron has been "terrific helping me get time off, but my main concern is figuring out how to raise money to pay for a place to stay."

While he appreciates all the support, the bottom line is that this Airman needs some wingmen to help his wife have a chance to get on with her future. A fund to assist the Morrisons has been established in the name of the 96th Security Forces Association. Donations are being accepted at the Eglin Federal Credit Union. For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Jamion Speed at (863) 602-0222.