How Many Can There Be?

Two years ago, I finagled two friends into agreeing to start an organization to provide adaptive clothing for the wounded troops, Sew Much Comfort.  I got them to agree by saying, "How many can there be?" - referring to the wounded and the resulting amount of effort they would need to invest in the "little project".   Surely, we'd sew a few things and be done!  That was two years and over 20,000 items ago! 

So, how can I get so upset when people ask the same question of me now?

People are forever asking me if we are still sewing?  How many items do you need  - 100?  Last November, we delivered over 200 boxers to Walter Reed alone! But what really gets my goat is "Is there still a need?"

There is a very dangerous media misconception that has infiltrated the American public - the only statistic they seem concerned with is the number of service members killed in action.  While this is without a doubt an extremely tragic number - we recently topped 3,000 service members who have died - there is no focus on the massive number of wounded - over 22,000!  The legacy of this war will not be measured only in gravestones, but in prosthetics and wheelchairs.  And the American public has no concept of what these incredible men and women are struggling through with courage, honor and chutzpa every day - and in what numbers.  So many lack the knowledge that for every one service member killed in action there are 10 wounded.

I cannot say enough about the incredible medical care the service members are receiving.  I was told by one young medic that they can get a chopper into a 'hot zone' in under two minutes.  I can't get 9-1-1 to respond in under two minutes and they live down the street with no bombs or snipers to worry about!  Not to mention the incredible medics who are imbedded with the troops to decrease the time between an injury and medical attention and the absolutely world-class medical staffs at the combat surgical hospitals in-theatre!  Gratitude for body armor can't be over-emphasized, but let's remember that body armor doesn't protect the limbs and head.

I just think it's sad that so many in the public have been left with no information about the real impact of the war.  News coverage of the wounded is limited to an occasional, grandiose news story that makes it easy to forget these men and women are putting forth herculean efforts to  regain their lives and some semblance of normalcy.  And, for them, it's not occassionally, when the news media show up - it's every day of their lives.

Tribute goes out to their families as well!  They uproot their lives - as if deployment wasn't enough of an uprooting - and move to such exotic locations as Malogne House at Walter Reed or the Fisher House at Brooke Army Medical Center or a hotel in Tampa for sometimes more than a year.  I know one couple who just went ahead and purchased a house in San Antonio because they figure they will be there for a long time.  These families are the courageous backbone that secures the peace of mind and fortitude for the recovering troops. They sacrifice jobs, financial security and so much more to support their service member. 

Honors belong to the many medical staff members and volunteers that deal with the heavy burden of returning troops with grace, dignity, compassion and strength we all know is an intricate part of military medical members.  There is an organization, Freedom Calls, that provides telecommunication for the troops in the field.  I understand that in a few weeks this will also be available to family members from the hallowed halls of Lanstuhl, Germany!  Thanks to John Harlow and the extraordinary staff at Landstuhl for being willing to take on this additional duty for the wounded and their families.  But do you see what I mean about the incredible fortitude and generosity of the medical staff!?!?!  They are amazing!

SO, my tirade needs to come to an end - although.....no, won't start again!  I just think it's important that we give the same amount of attention to the wounded - perhaps the nightly news could tell the number of wounded and the number killed in action.  There just needs to be a greater awareness of how many seriously wounded there are and how much of a heroic effort it is taking them, their families and the medical staffs to bring them back to fully participate in normal life!

Comments

[airforcewife]

What good points. And things we all too often overlook.

[MamaTod]

I don't want to take away from your work or your legitimate frustration, but I've read the 22,000 injured number before and wondered how many are actually life-changing injuries? There are men in my son's unit who received Purple Hearts, but were stitched up and returned to combat. I'm sure those are in the 22,000 total. I want to know the number of seriously injured...the men and women who need and receive help from Sew Much Comfort and Valor IT. Is that number available at all?

[GBear]

What a great question! I can't tell you the exact amount of troops that our clothing has been distributed to because we often leave it to the staff to distribute, especially when it goes into Iraq and Afghanistan! Our first year, 2005, we distributed 4,000 items. Last year, we distributed almost 16,000 items and, unfortunately, we weren't able to reach many of the wounded!

All of this made possible through the love, skill and devotion of hundreds of American seamstresses and those who donate to make this all possible! I'd be remiss if I didn't put a plug in for the outstanding and amazing Regional Coordinators who have all volunteered to take up a leadership role in their area and in our organization!

It's hard for Ambassadors that go into the hospitals to be able to see all the patients because they are either sleeping, at appointments or out of their room for any number of reasons.

The medical staff assume an additional duty when they distribute the clothing and we are so appreciative of their dedication to their patients. They often exhaust themselves physically and mentally in the performance of their duty and to voluntarily take on an additional task is extraodinary. But so are their patients!

[LAW]

So how can we get the word out. Is there a media publication I can send to the various media outlets in our area? They just ran a story on one of the severely wounded from our National Guard being in the hospital. I have a few contacts at the local paper and Public Radio station. Shall I direct them to the website, or can they call someone. Please email me.

LAW

[GBear]

I've been mulling over your question, LAW. I don't think there is a way for us to 'get the word out' other than to continue to try to inform those in our circle of influence. It is hard to imagine the public 'losing interest' in those who have sacrificed so much. But, as they have taken the pictures of 9-11 off the airwaves, because it caused too much trauma to those of us watching, so they keep the trauma of the wounded off the airwaves to protect the public. Understandable, but I don't think they do the wounded or the public any good by this type of silence. Not that I believe the wounded should be paraded in front of cameras on a regular basis - I rather believe they deserve to be left to focus on their recovery. I believe the number of wounded should be reported in the nightly news as regularly as they report the number who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the name of patriotism, honor and duty. I don't think that will happen, as a result the public doesn't have a handle on the impact of these wounded.

I have gotten to know some of the most amazing men and women I will ever meet in the halls of Bethesda, Brooke, Walter Reed and so many other wards and clinics. Men and women with amputations and burns who are anxious to return to duty and working everyday to be able to accomplish just that! For those who don't return to duty, they work to prepare themselves to succeed in the world beyond the military. These are inspirational troops who are encouraged and uplifted by the Vietnam Vets who have become their morale lifters and never let them give up or slack off! The cross-generational interaction is phenomenal! The seasoned vets know what this generation of vets will need to succeed outside the walls of the military medical facilities and are working hard to make sure they have all they need when they go back into the 'real' world.

Watching amputees get ready to go skiiing and white water rafting is exciting! The hospital staff makes sure these troops know that life can hold everything for them when they leave, regardless of their injuries. So many groups are working together to let them know that America supports them! It's a very humbling environment to work in and around.

There can't be enough said about the struggles of these service members. They live through good days, hard days, impossible days and days with challenges and frustrations most of us will, thankfully, never know. We must never forget they are doing this because of an oath they took to support and protect the American citizens - and I want them to know that we will never forget to honor and respect them for doing so!