The Long Walk Home: Paul Franklin's Journey from Afghanistan

by Liane Faulder

The Canadian media were the first to bring Master Corporal Paul Franklin's story to the public, and it is only fitting that award-winning journalist Liane Faulder brings the full account of his return from a war zone. The Long Walk Paul Franklin's Journey from Afghanistan documents the recovery of a soldier injured in a 2006 suicide bombing that left one Canadian diplomat dead, and two comrades in arms wounded. Although Franklin made a promise to his wife that he would come home alive, he needed the heroic help of soldiers on the scene and a medical team abroad to keep his word. He lost both of his legs above the knee as the result of his injuries, but returned home determined to walk again. Within four months of his injury, and against the odds and predictions of doctors, Franklin learned to walk on artificial legs. He continues to represent the courage of Canadian troops overseas as he rebuilds his life at home with his wife Audra and their young son, Simon. As a family on a journey to recovery, they are determined to stand, and walk, together. The Long Walk Paul Franklin's Journey from Afghanistan is a story of loss, courage, love and hope. It inspires all of those military and civilians alike who wonder how they will take that next step when tough times challenge the body and the spirit.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Buggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opening Line:"Paul Franklin loved being a driver. He loved being a medic too, but he really loved being a driver"

This is the story of Master Corporal Paul Franklin's journey back from Afghanistan after his vehicle was struck by a suicide bomb. It is also the story of a hero, even if he doesn't consider himself one. Lying on a dusty street Paul stared down at his ruined legs and remembered the promise he'd made to his wife "I will come home" Now he's faced with an even more challenging task then the Taliban, that of rebuilding a new life and learning to walk on two artificial legs.

THE LONG WALK HOME is an inspiring story of strength and courage encompassing not only Paul's personal struggles but those of his wife and young son as well. In the books one year span we travel from the war in Afghanistan to the American medical hospital in Germany and back to Edmonton where after several more surgeries Paul begins his rehabilitation. Author Liane Faulder interviews family, friends, doctors and physiotherapists throughout Paul's recovery and gives us a moving and very personal account of Paul's re-birth year.

We begin in 2006 with Master Cpl Franklin walking his son to school 4 months after the accident. It's a distance of 6 hundred meters and takes just over half an hour but this is a huge accomplishment. Both of Paul's legs have been amputated above the knee and after repeatedly being told he'd never walk again Paul's beat the odds and proved them wrong. The book then jumps around a bit as the author gives us back story on Paul's military career and family life before depositing us in the bombed ruins of his G-wagon.

We're then with his wife Audra as she receives "the call" and subsequently travels to Germany. This is as much her story as his and I was awed by the strength of military spouses. We are faced with some gruelling hospital scenes as everyone comes to terms with a new normal and Paul's agonizing Valentines Day decision regarding his remaining right leg broke my heart. Because Paul and the three others in his vehicle contained the first dead or wounded Canadians in Afghanistan a media circus immediately envelopes the Franklin family who decide instead of hiding they will become the new face of the military, handling it all with stoic grace and determination.

I really enjoyed this book and count myself lucky that we have people like Paul Franklin who are willing to sacrifice without question or regret. In a quote from the last page of the book Paul states that he's left something behind in Afghanistan and doesn't know what it is. He still feels like something is missing, something besides his legs, something inside of him. "I'd love to go back and I don't know why?"

[Justyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read. Hats off to you Paul Franklin for all you've done and the sacrifices you've made for our country. I enjoyed this book from front to back. One for the parts of this book that drew me to wanting to read it is that he is an Edmontonian. I love reading local books, and I love reading kinda local books. I live in Regina Saskatchewan (from Saskatoon originally) and being that he is not that far away from me, that made me want to read this story even more. Almost like this is someone from my town, but he is from a different town completely. Just near by so it felt more intimate. The part describing when his Wife Audrey got a phone call telling her that Paul was attacked by a suicide bomber... that part was intense and had me in tears. I couldn't but wonder how horrible that experience would've been if I was the one that had to live through this. I can't imagine how hard that would've been for his Wife Audrey as well. I own this book in my library now and I'm happy about that because it's earned its spot on my shelves. This book is worth reading so if you have the chance to read it then follow through and get this book read. Thank you for protecting our country and thanks again Paul for sharing your amazing story with me.

[Blaine Morrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend of mine, a double amputee, recently died, and this book helped me appreciate how hard his recovery must have been after a devastating war injury. Very personal, well written, and without an excess of sentimentalism.