Wounded warriors' perspectives: Helping others to heal

Abstract

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] They have walked the walk and paid the price. A very high price. They are veterans who sustained major limb loss during the Vietnam or Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) conflicts. Their names are Juan Arredondo, Ned Foote, and Jonathan Pruden. All three have adapted to their limb loss, but daily struggles still exist for them, as well as for others who have moved on with their postmilitary lives. Jonathan Pruden and Juan Arredondo served during a different military era (OIF/OEF) than did Ned Foote (Vietnam); but despite the differences in age, the three men share a common goal, a common passion: to see that all wounded servicemembers receive the best possible care through a supportive rehabilitation process and a smooth transition from Active Duty into the Veterans Healthcare System and, especially, to receive comprehensive prosthetic care services and other benefits they deserve. Their mission now is to help other wounded warriors navigate through the recovery process and restore a satisfying lifestyle. As active volunteers in national programs that assist fellow wounded warriors, they were invited to participate in the Expert Panel meeting, convened in Seattle, Washington, in 2008, to examine rehabilitation care issues and prosthetic device challenges for the study described in this issue of the JRRD. In addition, they participated in a joint interview to discuss their experience through the recovery process and share valuable lessons learned on how best to adapt to limb We hope their stories will provide guidance and inspiration to others with disabilities. THE BATTLEFIELD INJURY Ned Foote was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps and was sent to Vietnam in 1969 with the 3rd Marine Division as an infantryman. While Foote was on patrol in the demilitarized zone, a mine was detonated during an ambush, killing two and injuring Foote and six others. His severely injured foot was later amputated on a hospital ship. He was sent to Guam for further surgery. As a result of infections and other complications, his amputation was later revised to above the knee. He returned home to New York to continue his medical rehabilitation, including physical therapy and fitting and training for his prosthetic device at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration. Juan Arredondo, a U.S. Army sergeant in the 2nd Infantry Division, was driving on patrol in Iraq with two other servicemembers in 2006. A cellular phone-detonated device exploded through the door of their vehicle, seriously injuring all three men. The explosion instantly severed Arredondo's left hand below the elbow and inflicted extensive damage to his legs. Although the injuries to his legs were not life-threatening, his severed hand could not be reattached. He was sent to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, to begin his recovery process. Jonathan Pruden, a lieutenant in the U.S. Army serving in Iraq in 2003, was wounded on July 1, 2003, becoming one of the first improvised explosive device casualties of OIF. He was hit with 173 pieces of shrapnel and 1 bullet. After initial surgeries in Iraq, he was medevaced to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for additional surgeries and then transported to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC). Arriving at WRAMC was the first step in his recovery. Over 3 years at seven different military hospitals, he had 20 surgeries, including the amputation of his right leg. Pruden, now a retired captain, recalls his many surgeries and long rehabilitation process with a positive light: I would have died even 20 years ago due to the extensive injuries and blood loss. STEPS TO RECOVERY During the Vietnam conflict, nearly 25 percent of wounded servicemembers succumbed to their injuries, largely because of the inability to reach mobile surgical hospitals [1]. With improvements in protective gear, Kevlar vests, and rapid medical evacuation to medical or surgery units, nearly 90 percent of servicemembers wounded during the OIF/OEF conflicts survive [2]. …