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sophie simonet
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
780
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: 
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 12:03 pm: |   |
There are an estimated 4000 soldiers wounded in Iraq. For every dead soldier, approximately ten are injured, many of them 19 and 20 year-olds, some as young as 18. The majority will have to learn to cope with missing limbs, loss of sight, and extreme disfigurement. Little coverage is given to the wounded because, let's face it, it's demoralizing and upsetting. But a letter of sympathy and encouragement, showing respect and admiration for these young soldiers, will go a long way to boosting their morale. This link was posted elsewhere; in case you missed it, it's OperationWoundedSoldiers.org, a program run by a volunteer called Rita LaGrow. Send a phone card, a comfort package or just a simple letter to Alabama to be rerouted overseas to a soldier in a transitional care facility. Make a difference today, however you feel about the war. The below article was culled from BBC News.
Injured US vets face long road to recovery
By Nick Childs
BBC Pentagon correspondent
Tears well up in a woman's eye at a rodeo in Texas as the announcer introduces some special guests to this patriotic audience.
Rashan Canady has to relearn daily tasks after losing his arm in Iraq
The guests are a graphic reminder of the real and mounting costs of the war in Iraq.
They are soldiers who were injured in Iraq and are now being treated at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Among those special guests was Staff Sgt Rashan Canady. He has paid a heavy price.
At the medical centre, he is learning to rehabilitate himself with the help of an army nurse.
He now wears an artificial right arm after his own was severed in an Iraqi attack. He is lucky in one sense. His new arm is state-of-the-art.
"This prosthetic works on nerve impulses from what is left of my arm," he says.
As he twitches a nerve, it sparks a sensor that opens and closes the hand.
"I'm not sure if I can get my golf swing back to what it used to be, but it can assist me," he said.
This medical centre may be deep in the heart of Texas, but here alone, they have treated more than 800 injured soldiers from the Iraq operation.
This is also turning into something of a front line.
The army doctors at Brook have been able to apply new medical techniques to increase the survival chances of the badly wounded.
Dr Roman Hayda, head of orthopaedic trauma, said: "The changes that are occurring in medicine make a big difference in their ability to recover and what we can salvage."
The doctors here believe the body armour soldiers wear now has also dramatically improved survivability.
Some 70% to 80% of the injuries now are to limbs, eyes, and the head. Treatment on the battlefield is also much improved.
But as Dr Jim Ficke, assistant head of orthopaedics, explains, they still face some daunting challenges.
"These guys have been out in a war zone for nearly a year now. They are eating combat rations. They are not as well equipped to heal from this," he said.
And, as Dr Hayda points out, not everyone copes well with their injuries.
In the past, Major John Ward would have lost his arm
Sometimes it can be simple things, like tying their own shoes, that now they are unable to do because of their injuries.
"That can be pretty heart-breaking to a person who is 18 or 19 years old," he said.
Maj John Ward, though, is a story of success.
Shrapnel blew a huge hole in his right arm. The doctors could see daylight through it. In any previous war he would have lost the arm.
Instead, he is now itching to get back to his unit, and all the surgeries and pain he has endured have not changed his mind about wanting to serve.
"I'll never get rich in this profession, but my daughter is proud of what I do. My wife is proud of what I do, and I'm proud of me for what I do," he said.
Still, it will be a long, hard road to recovery for many of the injured, even the most stoical, like Sgt Canady.
He recalls how he was out at an American football game, and tried to drink a cup of water using his new artificial hand.
"Unfortunately, my prosthetic sometimes doesn't pick up that it doesn't need to squeeze that hard," he said.
He accidentally crushed the cup, spilling drink all over his trousers.
"I was embarrassed. It looked like I had messed myself," he said.
But he added: "These are little things compared to the big picture. I'm just very fortunate to be alive."
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sophie simonet
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
781
Registered: 03-2002
Rating:
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 12:09 pm: | |
Sorry, try this:
http://operationwoundedsoldiers.org/index.htm
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Bill Nelson
Hunger Member
Post Number:
66
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 12:11 pm: | |
Sophie,
Over on that "other board" at one time we all donated a copy
of our book(s) to be sent to the hospitalized.
You are certainly correct. Those boys (men) are heroes.
bn |
Molly Brent
Awareness Member
Post Number:
12
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 01:10 pm: | |
Sophie and Bill, I'd like to share the names of my two guys I adopted. Since I just received it, along with a long list of items they need, I am now getting supplies together.
Books are mentioned as things they would enjoy so if any of you can spare a copy or two (they share) please help.....If you'd like to have a complete list please go to the address Sophie gave.
PFC Cesar Silva
514 Maintenance Co. (A/APit)
Camp Arifjan, KU
APO AE 09366
1LT Stewart Miller
HHC/2-7 CAV
APO AE 09313
Even a letter or card will be appreciated.
Please add on the package ........O.W.S. Soldier's Angels-Alabama Div.
you may want to include a stamped self addressed envelope if you'd like them to reply.
Thanks Bill and Sophie for giving this info. I am delighted that I can do a small part to help.
Molly Brent |
priceless1
Hunger Member
Post Number:
83
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 12:05 pm: | |
Molly, Bill, Sophie,
I just now saw this thread and took the time and honor to sign up to adopt a soldier as well. I'm going to put this offer on the Mindsight Forum as well. This is too good to ignore.
Lynn
Lynn
lynnprice.net
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Dragon Protector
Awareness Member
Post Number:
32
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 11:45 am: | |
You can also check with any base or local support groups that are set up across the country with family members that are there. They will normally be through the local VFW.
We can not forget the men and women who are stationed in Korea, Afghanistan, Turkey and other hot spots in the world.
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