Kaleb grew up in a tight-knit neighborhood in Toledo, Ohio. He was first drawn to the military through his childhood imagination. “My family had a big yard with lots of room and my friends would all come over to play army soldiers.”

Meeting a friend's father, a high-ranking official in the National Guard, was a turning point. He deeply inspired by him.

Like most high school graduates, his trajectory was originally college. But he couldn't deny his calling to service. "A week before college began, I decided to enlist in the Air Force.”

Kaleb trained to work in ammunition. He was responsible for inventory, inspection, and delivering anything from a .22 caliber bullet to a 2,000 lb bomb to aircraft.

During his deployment, Kaleb was working the night shift. Even at just 23 years-old, he was shouldering enormous responsibility. To relieve stress, he would go to the gym to workout during breaks.

On July 3, 2020, Kaleb was found unresponsive on the gym floor. He appeared to be having a seizure.

Kaleb was rushed to the nearest first aid location in the back of a pickup truck. From there, he was transported to Baghdad via helicopter.

Because Kaleb was so young and seemingly healthy, the doctors in Baghdad transferred him to Germany for further testing, including an MRI.

On seeing the MRI's results, Kaleb's doctors immediately rushed him into emergency brain surgery. Despite the fact he was only 23 years old, he has suffered a stroke.

After stabilizing in Germany, Kaleb was flown back to America to continue treatment.

His right arm and leg were paralyzed, leaving him immobile. He could not eat, swallow, talk, walk, sit up, or hold up his head. He was totally reliant on others, even to go to bathroom.

"My mom refused to leave my side."

Kaleb spent 14 grueling months learning to do everything again.