Health Care Happenings

I read a story yesterday that was inspiring and full of hope. Something we don’t hear enough of these days, in my opinion when talking about wounds of war.

The story is of a young Navy Corpsman injured in November 2004, during Operation Phantom Fury, the well known insurgency operations in Fallujah, Iraq. While responding to Marine casualties during a fire fight, his humvee was hit by a homicide car bomber.

Derek McGinnis lost his left leg.

His right foot was severely fractured.

He had shrapnel throughout his body.

And, if that weren’t enough, he suffered from massive traumatic brain injury (TBI) and nearly lost all sight in his right eye.

What’s so inspiring was how Derek rose above the excruciating pain, hopelessness, mental and physical hardships. His new mission in the aftermath of tragedy was living. He spent the next three years fulfilling another mission, a mission to recover.

I’m sure you will be as inspired as I was when you read his story, “Don’t Quit! A Story of Optimism for Wounded Warriors.”.

Derek also went on to write a book, “Exit Wounds: A Survival Guide to Pain Management for Returning Veterans and Their Families,” to help others cope with their pain. In fact, he’s spending his days in a Veterans Affairs office in Modesto, CA working with returning wounded warriors.

This month is National Brain Injury Awareness Month. I thought this article provides a little insight into the challenges faced by military medicine in caring for warriors with TBI, a signature wound of this war. The article is also a great tribute to the strength, resiliency and sacrifices of warriors, just like Derek who fight every day to keep us safe and free.