After Three Tours In Iraq, Father Calls Son His Hero

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Andy McComb will celebrate his eighth birthday this month. His dad, who served 3-combat tours on duty in Iraq, calls his son "my hero."

"He's an awesome kid, he really is."

Andy was born in an Army hospital at Fort Benning, Georgia, healthy -- or so his parents, John and E.K. believed. But Andy began missing developmental benchmarks for babies his age.

Click here to vote for Andy to win.

Staff Sgt. John McComb left for his second deployment in 2006, and E.K. had to manage on her own as their child began having serious seizures that put him in the I-C-U. The Red Cross sent an emergency message to Iraq, and John came home.

"That's when the doctor was real skeptical saying he won't be able to do anything."

Back home for less than a month John and E.K. watched as Andy went through batteries of tests. No clear diagnosis was made and John went back to Iraq.

There was a third deployment in 2007, leaving E.K. -- whom John met in Korea -- alone again. By that time the seizures were worse, and Andy couldn't walk or talk.

Andy and his family could use a little help from some friends.

The "National Mobility Equipment Association" is giving away three brand new custom wheelchair vans and all you have to do is go to the NMEDA website and vote for Andy to win (click on the link above).

There are 1,300 entrants, some with 40,000 votes. Andy has about 18,000 and can use a boost.

Winning the van would be a life changer, helping get him to the hospital, doctors appointments and seven making a family vacation possible.

(Using the promo code 889 when entering will make your one vote for Andy count as five).

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