That's exactly what I was thinking, Cass. The guys from the most recent wars had people who had BTDT showing up to help them almost from day one, even before it was standardized into some of the amazing orgs out there. They are paying it forward, which makes it even more wonderful.
I used to watch this dynamic on a regular basis. A hospital patient with "X" injury that will require lifestyle accommodations (loss of limb(s), bad scarring, long term injuries, etc...) and The Best therapy was Always folks who had similar injuries but were farther along the healing path. Just someone crutching into a room to say "hi" and talk for a few minutes would do wonders to dispel the fear and apprehension about the future. The folks that have turned an bad deal into a winning hand and are willing to share are doing a bonafide Great Thing. Truly something only they can do.
While I hope never to have his mandate, he has found an exceptional way to bring good from it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many of these Marines had a similar pep talk courtesy of wounded vets from other wars?
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like hearing from someone who has been through the same thing. Thank you for this :)
That's exactly what I was thinking, Cass. The guys from the most recent wars had people who had BTDT showing up to help them almost from day one, even before it was standardized into some of the amazing orgs out there. They are paying it forward, which makes it even more wonderful.
ReplyDeleteGreat attitude. "I used to have horrible shin splints, but I don't have shins any more!"
ReplyDeleteHe brought her out of a dark place, for her to be able to make that joke.
ReplyDeleteI loved how he made eye contact and waved his arm dismissively at her legs: "All that doesn't matter." Nobody else could tell her that.
Someday she may be appearing at someone else's bedside. As he said, this is just the beginning. The change in her life will not be all for the worse.
I used to watch this dynamic on a regular basis. A hospital patient with "X" injury that will require lifestyle accommodations (loss of limb(s), bad scarring, long term injuries, etc...) and The Best therapy was Always folks who had similar injuries but were farther along the healing path. Just someone crutching into a room to say "hi" and talk for a few minutes would do wonders to dispel the fear and apprehension about the future. The folks that have turned an bad deal into a winning hand and are willing to share are doing a bonafide Great Thing. Truly something only they can do.
ReplyDeleteWilliam sends.