Paratrooper Liang-Feng, Chin, a private of the 3rd Special Ops Battalion, Army Aviation and Special Forces Command was critically injured on May 17th, 2018 when his parachute failed to fully open after para-jumping from a C-130 military aircraft in a rehearsal drill before the annual Han Kuang military exercises. Private Chin was evacuated to Tung’s Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital in Taichung for resuscitation and emergency care and was further transferred to Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH) in Taipei on June 25th, 2018 for more definitive care and rehabilitation. After an eight-month-long integrated care by a designated multi-discipline medical team chaired by Dr. Yuan-Hao, Chen, Chief of Neurological Surgery Department, Major General Tsai, Superintendent of Tri-Service General Hospital held a press conference on March 5th, 2019 and announced that paratrooper Chin will be transferred to Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital in Kaohsiung City to continue on the rehabilitative care. Major General Tsai stated during the press conference that the decision for private Chin’s transfer was made based on his ideal medical condition after steady recovery while hospitalized and treated in TSGH, coupled by the fact that Chin’s family is in Kaohsiung and transfer to Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital will make Chin’s family less burdensome in terms of travel and logistics in accompanying paratrooper Chin for further rehabilitative care in the southern city.

Dr. Yuan-Hao, Chen, Chief of Neurological Surgery Department has stated that when paratrooper Chin was evacuated back to Tri-Service General Hospital from Taichung, he was evaluated to be almost completely paralyzed after the fall incident and even required a ventilator to breathe. However, paratrooper Chen can now use his right hand skillfully while eating, writing, and tapping on his mobile phone, after high-caliber integrated intensive treatment plans of breathing training, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO), urinary bladder control training, and occupational & physical therapy programs designed and implemented by the cross-discipline medical team of TSGH. Dr. Chen further expressed that with the successful torso strength training program designed by TSGH medical staffs, paratrooper Chin can now stand up, operate wheels of wheel chair on his own, and even walk with assistance of his parents.

Minister Yen of Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Lieutenant General Chen, Surgeon General of Defense & Director General of Medical Affairs Bureau (MAB) has visited paratrooper Chin many times during the soldier’s hospitalization in TSGH to express their concerns on behalf of all service members and to motivate the brave soldier. Minister Yen and Surgeon General Chen were both very impressed and encouraged by paratrooper Chin’s recovery and expressed their sincere appreciations to medical staffs of TSGH for their compassionate care and services. Other than conveying his well-wishing to the paratrooper in long journey of rehabilitation ahead, Minister Yen also called on the paratrooper to persevere and never give up, spirits enshrined in Corps of Special Operation in Taiwan Armed Forces, so paratrooper Chin can achieve the best possible outcome from his future rehab programs and be a role model for all service men and women in the Republic of China (Taiwan) armed forces.