US Soldier Recovers From Being Shot in the Head - Twice

This story about a US soldier who survived two separate gunshot wounds in the head, and who wants to hike the Appalachain Trail as part of his recovery, is inspirational. It's also good to hear hopeful news about how the medical community is continung to learn from military injuries. MP+

Chairman Honors Wounded Soldier for Selfless Service
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2009 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff noted on a recent visit to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., that wounded veterans recovering there all had one thing in common.

“These are individuals, without arms and legs at that point, who had one common desire -- and that was to get back with their unit,” Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said Aug. 25 at the presentation ceremony for the 2009 International Brain Mapping and Interoperative Surgical Planning Society’s Beacon of Courage and Dedication Awards in Boston. “Their only concern was, ‘How do I get out of here and get back with them?’”

A desire to serve again also was expressed by one of the award recipients, retired Army Sgt. Maj. Colin Rich, who recovered from two traumatic brain injuries and returned to active duty each time.

Read the whole story here.

A related piece, about the US Chair of the Joint Chiefs remarks to the 6th Annual World Congress for Brain Mapping and Image Guided Therapy on treating soldiers with head injuries and with PTSD can be found here.