Christina Felber said recent days have been filled with positive “firsts” for her brother, U.S. Marine Cpl. Brian Felber.

He was severely injured while on patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan, on Oct. 31.

“Tuesday was his first day in a wheelchair, and he was ready to get out of that bed,” Felber said from Water Reed Military Hospital in Maryland, where her brother is recovering. “And Wednesday afternoon was his first day of rehab.”

Brian Felber, a 2007 graduate of Florence High School, was part of a unit conducting operations in Afghanistan when he stepped on a bomb. He lost both legs during the explosion, according to his sister.

Brian Felber has received the Purple Heart. He was an infantry rifleman with the 1st Battalion 6th Marines unit and was in Afghanistan since August, according to his sister. He was in his second tour in Afghanistan.

“It’s been two weeks and he’s really in good spirits,” Felber said.