Paralyzed Army Reservist Finally Told Not To Report For Duty

After a story aired on WRAL Thursday evening, Tim Wallen received a phone call from Army officials who told him he didn't have to go to Fort Jackson, South Carolina on Saturday.

A representative from the U.S. Army Human Resources Command in St. Louis told Wallen they heard about the story from WRAL. Wallen said they pledged to make things right.

Wallen, 34, spent 10 years in the Army and joined the Reserves. Three years ago, a freak off-duty accident left him paralyzed.

For the third time in recent months, Wallen recently received mobilization papers. Wallen spent hours on the phone and mailed in his medical papers to the Army.

"I've spent a month -- almost two months -- fighting with them sending them the stuff they wanted," Wallen said. "Giving them everything I could, on the phone constantly taking away from my children and my classes."

But the Army wouldn't let up until Thursday.

Wallen said he was assured he doesn't have to make the trip to Fort Jackson and that the military extended his mobilization date so he won't break the law by not reporting.

In the meantime, he says the Army now pledges to get his medical paperwork processed once and for all.

WRAL placed several requests to the Army Resources Command, but none of the calls was returned.