Wounded US soldier learns to walk again - in pictures

US army Sgt Matt Krumwiede, from the 5-20 Infantry Regiment attached to 82nd Airborne Division, patrols in the Zharay district of Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan, in June 2012 Photograph: Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters

Krumwiede is treated by a medic after being wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED) Photograph: Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters

Soldiers carry Krumwiede toward a Black Hawk medevac helicopter Photograph: Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters

Krumwiede's blood-covered M4 rifle Photograph: Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters

One of his comrades comes to terms with the incident inside an armoured vehicle Photograph: Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters

Krumwiede gets onto a gurney at Brooke army medical centre in San Antonio, Texas. The IED tore away both his legs, damaged his left arm, and ripped open his abdominal cavity Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters

Krumwiede practices walking as part of his rehabilitation at Brooke Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters

He practices walking on prosthetic legs with his physical therapist, Troy Hopkins Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters

Krumwiede wipes sweat off his face after practising walking Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters

Krumwiede sits in his wheelchair while his friend Sgt Jesse McCart and his mother talk after a day's hunting at a ranch near San Antonio Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters

Krumwiede takes a phonecall as his mother holds his hand. He was admitted back to Brooke after developing an infection. The 22-year-old has undergone around 40 surgical procedures Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters

Krumwiede sits in his wheelchair as he is pushed by his friend Sgt Jesse McCart at a hunting ranch outside San Antonio Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters

Both men are learning to live with their life-changing injuries. Krumwiede is keen to rejoin the infantry as soon as his injuries allow Photograph: Jim Urquhart/Reuters