March Forth: The Inspiring True Story Of A Canadian Soldier's Journey Of Love, Hope and Survival

by Trevor Greene, Debbie Greene (Co-Author)

After Captain Trevor Greene was attacked in Afghanistan and suffered a catastrophic brain injury, doctors told his fiancée he wouldn’t live. At the age of forty-one, Trevor Greene, a journalist and a reservist in the Canadian Army, deployed to Kandahar with the 1st Battalion PPCLI Battle Group. On March 4th, 2006, while meeting with village elders in a remote village in Kandahar Province, Greene removed his helmet out of respect, confident that a centuries-old pact would protect him from harm. Without warning, a teenage boy under the influence of the Taliban came up behind Greene and swung a rusty axe deep into his skull, nearly splitting his brain in two. Trevor’s fiancée, Debbie, was initially told that he would not live. When he survived, she was told that he would never come out of his coma, let alone be able to move on his own. But Debbie never left Trevor’s side, and after years of rehabilitation, setbacks and crises, Trevor learned to talk and move again. In July 2010, he stood up at his own wedding, Debbie at his side and their daughter, Grace, carrying their rings down the aisle as their flower girl. March Forth is a remarkable story of love told in two voices: Trevor’s, up until the attack that changed their lives; and Debbie’s, as she works tirelessly to rehabilitate the man she loves. Together, Trevor and Debbie have written the next chapter in their remarkable story. (AMAZON.COM)

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada

272 pages, Hardcover

First published March 6, 2012

Reviews

[Bill Kempthorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably one of the hardest reads I've had in recent memory. Then you remember that a family, not very far away from my own, had to live through it. Trevor and Debbie Greene trade off sections of writing because Trevor can't remember the whole ordeal himself. From the powerful letter he left for his family 'just in case' to the years of recovering from what was judged to be unrecoverable it is hard to imagine that they could make it through. And in the end this is only one of many stories the only difference is this soldier managed to live through it .. If only, just barely.

[BarbG Gudgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true account of the trials faced by Trevor, Debbie and Grace. A beautiful story of love and perseverance. Thank you both for sharing your experiences over the past years of recovery and rehabilitation. You are both amazing people.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a powerful story of perseverance, against such incredible odds. It was amazing, empowering, the way the Greene family coalesced around and supported Trevor in his ongoing recovery. It was a wow story.

[Kristall · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐

March Forth by Trevor and Debbie Greene was an interesting read. Told from two different perspectives, it is the true story of a Canadian soldier, Trevor Greene, who was grievously injured by an axe to the head in Afghanistan in 2006 and the subsequent long road to healing and rehabilitation guided by his devoted fiancé, Debbie Greene. The book title is a play on words since the attack happened March 4th 2006 and the book mostly centers around moving forward in recovery which I thought was quite clever.

I enjoyed Trevor's writing a great deal. As he was a journalist and writer before joining the Canadian Army reserves, his writing is clear, concise, and descriptive. Debbie's writing is different. Not necessarily bad but it was a little dull and matter of fact: This happened and then this and then this. Regardless, their story is fascinating and I'm glad I picked the book up and learned more about this brave and courageous Canadian.

I struggled with the unusual use spiritual healing practices but I suspect this is because I don't actually agree that these are legitimate techniques. There is no science to back up a lot of the treatments that Debbie employed to help Trevor recover. However, being a believer myself I'm certain people would say the same thing to me about my faith and the power of prayer. I think it really is a testament to Debbie's devotion to her fiancé that she was willing to use so many vastly different spiritual healing practices. She hires people to do Reiki, remote visualization healing, tapping and Chinese herbal medicine amongst other not so reputable sources of medical treatment. And yet, Trevor recovers further than his doctors predicted. Was it his will to survive? Or do these practises provide tangible help? It's interesting to ponder.

[JANEY MCGEARY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Familiar territory - brain injury - but definitely with a unique cause. I was so mad when the doctor said he had minimal hope of recovery, when he was already responding. And that his ankles were so neglected. That massive surgery may have been able to have been avoided. Love how hard she pushed. Some of the complementary medicines at first made me nervous, but they seem to have been handled really very well. I would love to read his first two books, on the homeless in Japan, and the "lost girls" in Vancouver. He seems like a really interesting person.

[Neil Mudde · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a roller coaster ride, what a story, there were times that I could thoroughly dislike the wife, and found it difficult to differentiate beween being a caring person or a control freak.
The story starts my Trevor Green, reason for joining the Canadian Army while in Afghanistan being hit over the head with an ax, and is basically left for dead, most medics felt transporting him was a lost cause, thanks to one medic who decided if he were to die, it would be better away from the dusty Afghanistan soil.
Both Trevor who is a published author, reflect later on in the book, most of the material comes from Debbie, who is a fighter, and believes that Trevor will one day walk, in spite of what the Doctors say, I would imagine Debbie must have been a touch cookie if you were on any medical staff, Debbie tried to engage non professional person Reiki, all sorts of massages, At one point she puts signs up all around the saying "By Christmas I will walk" no doubt great positive thinking, although there seemed to be very reality to it, except for an intervention of the gods.
The couple have a daughter Grace, who has a promenent role in the book, as whe had not seen her Father very much up until that time.
The book takes you as I stated earlier on a roller coaster ride, anything that could go wrong does, but Debbie, and obviously Trevor plow on in spite of the ods.
Finding a rehab place is a difficult task, since Trevor is in a total different category, having been in the long term care home service I find Debbie's comments about these places derogatory, what is interesting as well that our Canadian Forces have strict benefit rules in place. Towards the end of the book, Trevor wants to be married, once again a questplan is planned out, of walking by the time they get married, Trevor at one point becomes extremely ticked off at this condition (totally understandable!), becomes very angry using the "f" word which was never his style.
Well I do not want to tell the whole story, I was gripped by the story, of this well written book, Trevor is a proud man, having served in the Canadian army albeit a very short time, the book gives great insight,The book portrays persons working in the medical field extremely kind and qualified, Debbie takes issue with anyone that does not share her goals. The Green's have set up a trust fund for educating Afghani women, as Trevor firmly believes that only education for all will free
those people from the tyranny of many centuries.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing. I first heard about Trevor Green in the CTV documentary "Peace Warrior" and I was thrilled to find this memoir several years later. This is one of my new favourites - I can't even remember how many times I was brought to tears. What this man and his family have gone through is unbelievably incredible. He is a true Canadian hero. :)

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book two weeks ago and it's still on my mind... I'm in awe of their partnership, her steadfastness, his motivation, their perseverance through the shit-show they endured and overcame. A incredible story with a happy ending. A must-read for every rehab therapist.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was amazing! a true testiment to the human spirit and the lengths we go for the one we love

[Pat]

Thank you for writing this biography. I cried all the way through it. A must read for anyone in rehab services.

[Nancy Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing this amazing book of a soldier's horrific
attack,there was an article in MacLean's about Trevor & his family.
Every Canadian should read his account.

[Karoline Bourdeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for taking us along on your very difficult journey. I could not put this book down once I started reading. All Canadians must learn about your amazing story

[Mike Velemirovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story of strength and hope underpinned by love.

[Jeff V · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book. Determination and love can move mountains.