Bob Woodruff on ABC report as "to Iraq and Back" brought the eyes of the public suffered the problem of traumatic brain injury (as "TBI"), considered by many of our veterans returning from the Iraq war. Through his own experiences and miraculous healings he is now exposing this tragedy for the general public, while also providing a voice for our veterans, many of whom served their country and are now with a life-changing disability left. Mr. Woodruff's13-month recovery is not only surprising, but it is a purpose-driven event that will make changes in how the Veterans Administration has long care for our returning veterans TBI.
Last year, anchor Woodruff, a collaboration of ABC's World News Tonight, went to Iraq in the war for ABC News covered. On 29 January 2006, injuring him and his cameraman Bob Vogt in a bomb hit their vehicle. Mr. Woodruff returned to ABC on 27 February 2007 to tell his story. A special broadcast"To Iraq and Back broadcast" on ABC in the same night. Woodruff said, but not only his own story. He spoke for many veterans who have returned from the Middle East war zone with its traumatic brain injury.
The story of Mr. Woodruff's recovery nothing short of a miracle. He considers himself lucky to have received incredible care. Not only does it through surgery and transplants to repair the physical damage to his face and head, but necessary rehabilitationfor the unseen damage to his memory, thinking and speaking. In addition to his first treatment after returning from Iraq, he needed constant follow-up therapy to recover his cognitive abilities. Coming out of a coma for more than a month, he saw his wife sitting at his bedside the whole time and said: "Where were you?" At first, he saw his two older children, but not his younger set of twins. Therapist and his family showed him cards of normal everyday useObjects, many of which he could not name. Thirteen months after the bombing, he has an astonishing comeback. But he still has work to do. He received first class treatment after she hurt on the job as a reporter and is addressed in the major urban areas rehabilitation facilities.
More importantly, Bob Woodruff is now giving a voice to many of our returning war veterans who come home with traumatic brain injury and did not reflect the level of care available tohim. While "to Iraq and Back", Mr Woodruff us Sgt Michael Boothby, who was injured by an IED explosion in Iraq last September. Boothby has wonderful care when he first return from Iraq. But when he transferred to his home in Texas, the VA is not available to the level of care that he needs to fully recover. It seems a large gap between VA services in large cities and smaller cities. And amazingly, there are veterans returning from war withTBI diagnosed. Not all explosions, causing visible injury. There are service people come back with impaired cognitive abilities and no visible damage to their bodies. These veterans need a comprehensive care for months and years after their injuries, some for the rest of their lives. And many of them will never be able to live a normal life again, to still support themselves and their families.
The tragedy of experience Bob Woodruff in Iraq has become an occasion to call attention to the lackthe VA for many veterans returning from war with traumatic brain injuries. returning vets have their services not only to return to the United States, but constant follow-up when they re-join their families in their homes. In addition, Bob Woodruff has made Account attention to the invisible injuries. We can see the amputees, the blind, and otherwise apparently injured service personnel. But what about the veterans who come back and realize that their brains are notFunctioning as they should, although no obvious physical damage? Not all traumatic brain injuries are more open. Bob Woodruff has committed advocacy for better care for returning war veterans with traumatic brain injuries. Now that he is through his personal fight over, and may relate to the challenges that he may use his valuable influence as a journalist to make changes that are so urgently needed for the men and women who have served our country, are required.
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