As a little girl, Sandra always dreamed of living in the U.S. In June 2002, her dream came true when her family won a green card and made the move from Lithuania to New York City. Though she completed high school, Sandra still struggled to overcome the differences in culture and language and decided to join the U.S. Army to learn more about the American way of life. She was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, then deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, working as a medical regulating specialist and eventually achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Sandra also served as personal security for the Brigade Commander and was a Color Guard Team member. Another duty station was Fort Belvoir, VA, where she was nominated as a Soldier of the Year for Dewitt Army Community Hospital and competed in the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command Soldier of the Year Competition.

A motorcycle accident in June 2009 changed everything for Sandra. Her injuries led to her spine being fused, and she was told she would never walk again. Refusing to accept defeat, Sandra overcame her back injury and the major symptoms of traumatic brain injury enough to get back on her feet. She is currently undergoing the medical board process at Fort Carson, CO, while preparing for a smooth transition from the military life that has been all she has known since moving to the U.S. to civilian life. Sandra is passionate about being a U.S. soldier and wants to continue serving her country when she removes her uniform by inspiring and motivating other soldiers and civilians to reach for their dreams and accomplish their goals no matter how hard it may look.

Why are you taking part in this mission? The Mt. Kilimanjaro mission has given me hope that it can both help me overcome my own mental and physical obstacles and motivate and inspire my fellow soldiers and children in Africa. Helping others has always been one of my passions, and I believe this trip will be inspirational for me and others around the world. Let’s make the world a better place one step at the time until we reach the summit!