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 Walter 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 had been 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.

She said her brother has been encouraged by messages left on a Facebook page: “Support combat wounded Marine Brian Felber.”

“We have gotten so many messages and encouragement from people; it’s really amazing,” she said. “It’s just overwhelming for our family to see how many people are thinking and praying for him. We’re all just so touched by this. It’s wonderful to see how people have come together and are pulling for Brian.”

She said her brother has read some of the Facebook comments.

“He knows he is getting a lot of support and it really makes him feel good,” she said.

Monica May Parker, a friend who went to school with Brian Felber, said many of her friends are pulling for him.

“I’ve been in contact with the family,” Parker said. “It seems like he’s doing good and that’s great to hear. We’re all praying for him.”

Felber said there are several other amputees, many of whom are Marines, on the same hospital floor with her brother.

“They’re coming by almost every day to see Brian and give him encouragements,” Felber said. She said her brother could be in the hospital up to six months.

“But they say he’s doing wonderful. He has a great attitude,” Felber said. “I’m amazed every day at the progress he’s making, and I know he’s going to come through this and be OK.”

Felber said she will be spending Thanksgiving with her brother in the hospital.

“We’ve got some family who will be coming,” she said. “It may not be at home, but it will be a special Thanksgiving for us.”

Anyone who wants to post a comment to Felber can do so on the support page on Facebook. There is also a donation site on the page.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757.