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A soldier who lost both legs in Iraq and was not expected to recover has improved to the point where he recently visited his mother's home on Mother's Day and is able to enjoy visits with his family and two young children.

U.S. Army Sgt. James Hackemer of Buffalo, N.Y., was gravely wounded in March when his military vehicle was struck in a roadside bombing in Baghdad.

Hackemer is the husband of Sgt. Alycia Hackemer, a former Attleboro resident.

Hackemer, who was unconscious for three weeks after the bombing, was treated initially at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, but was transferred two weeks ago to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, his father-in-law, Charles Bradshaw of Attleboro, said.

Bradshaw said Hackemer is now able to speak and converse and has begun physical therapy. Doctors initially said he was unlikely to survive his injuries.

Alycia Hackemer has been transferred to Natick to be closer to her husband, Bradshaw said.

She and the two children are living with the Bradshaws during her husband's recovery.

At the time James Hackemer was injured, Alycia was expecting the couple's second baby. The child, Addison Grace, was born five weeks ago while Hackemer was still hospitalized in Washington.

The Hackemers aso have an 14-month-old daughter, Kaelyn Rose,

Hackemer was on his second tour of duty with the 230th Military Police Company when the explosion ripped through his vehicle. His wife, a member of the same unit, was also scheduled for deployment to Iraq, but did not go because of her pregnancy.

Bradshaw said the family is grateful for the support they have received from friends and neighbors following their son-in-law's injury.

"You can really feel it," Bradshaw said. "It's great to have the support of your community behind you."