Fighter Wing helps dad stay with injured son

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Members of the 122 ^nd Fighter Wing have afforded one of their own the opportunity to take a leave from work to attend to his family during a time of struggle.

Lives changed for Jason Barbknecht’s family when his 15-year-old son, Noah was paralyzed after a skiing accident on Christmas Eve, 2012.

The Fort Wayne teenager has been transferred a number of times to various facilities to receive medical care.  On January 24, Noah arrived at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia for rehabilitation.  

His father, Jason has been able to stay at his son’s side throughout the changes while on leave as a member of the air crew flight equipment shop for the 122 ^nd.

Jason expended his vacation and sick leave as of February 6.  He turned to his employer and colleagues for assistance, through which military members from Fort Wayne, the state of Indiana and others across the country donated more than 470 hours of leave for his use.

“It means a lot, not just to me but to Noah to have a parent here,” Jason said.  “There are a lot of people [at the Shepherd’s Center] whose parents have to go back to work and they’re here for the weekends… Noah [knows] that no matter what dad is going to be there.  That’s only made possible through all of my friends and colleagues being there for me.”

The Fort Wayne and Northrop High School communities have reached out since the injury to raise thousands of dollars through events and a fundraising website to help the family with medical costs.  Members of the 122 ^nd Fighter Wing have also contributed financially through fundraisers.

“The situation speaks volumes of our members and our service members across the nation,” Cpt. Rebecca Metzger, wing executive officer said.  “No matter what we endure, no matter what hardships come our way, we’re always going to find a way to make that mission work not only for our local communities but our state mission and our federal mission as well.  This is no different.”

The additional paid leave will allow Jason to stay with his son until Noah is allowed to return home.  That homecoming has been tentatively scheduled for April 1.