thedrifter
12-05-08, 08:39 AM
Warriors experience TBI, WTU
by Senior Airman Amber Wescott
3rd Wing Public Affairs
12/4/2008 - ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- In 2006, Marine Corps Maj. William Allen served with Lima Company 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, where he led his fellow Marines on a mission to catch the kidnappers of Joe Carroll, a reporter who was taken as prisoner, and were ambushed. While crossing the bridge their convoy was hit by an improvised explosive device, or as it is more commonly referred to IED, and by the time they were able to realize that it was an ambush they were hit again by two more IED's. Major Allen made sure that all of his warriors were safe and taken care of medically, all the while ignoring his own injury. They overcame the obstacle and were able to successfully complete their mission.
Though Major Allen showed no physical signs of injury he suffered a major injury, known as TBI or Traumatic Brain Injury. He endured horrible headaches, disorientation and was unable to see out of his right eye. He carried on and miraculously survived five more IED attacks.
It wasn't long before he realized that to be able to take care of his Marines he first needed to take care of himself. "It's ok to say "I'm injured or hurt", the Marine Corps will take care of you," said Major Allen.
Army Sgt. Cody Boden's, a part of Alpha Company at the Warrior Transition Unit, brigade was the only brigade to come back from Iraq and or Afghanistan with no suicides; he feels that this is due to the amount of support from his and other leadership intervening and making sure that soldiers are taken care of.
TBI cases are taken care of here at the 3rd Medical Group that houses the Air Force's only Traumatic Brain Injury Center, where they have seen and treated more than 1,500 patients and typically see more patients than the average practitioner.
Sergeant Boden was diagnosed with TBI as well and works every day to regain memory and hand to eye coordination. His particular case of TBI affects his prefrontal right lobe which controls his working memory and Visio-memory. "Too many conversations at once can make it difficult for me to concentrate," said Sergeant Boden.
One of the treatments that the WTU uses to help regain hand to eye coordination is a video game called Guitar Hero. "It makes your brain think fast and it's a fun way to work on hand to eye coordination," said Sergeant Boden.
All of the patients are each assigned to a case manager who counsels them and helps them to keep all of their medical appointments straight. At the beginning of every week the case managers print out all of their patient's appointments and have them put their appointments on their calendars and in there palm pilot devices so that they remember.
"Case managers are a great support system to back you up and 'catch you if you fall,' said Sergeant Boden they also make sure that you get adequate mental and health care."
"I want people to know that the WTU helps you keep your pride. You are able to cry for help without being looked down upon," said Sergeant Boden. The leader ship has helped a lot in making sure that their soldiers are taken care of.
"Helping the family to understand what exactly is going on helps service members with the healing process, said Major Allen. It's important for the family to realize that there will be a transition period. Military One Source is an excellent resource for care groups." The phone number is 1-800-342-9647 and the website is http://www.militaryonesource.com.
The USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment Center is an excellent place to get counseling if you need it, according to Major Allen. The call center is available 24/7 to ensure Marines, Marine veterans, and their families are supported throughout the phases of recovery at all geographic locations. The phone number is 1-877-487-6299 and the website is http://www.woundedwarriorregiment.org.
Ellie
by Senior Airman Amber Wescott
3rd Wing Public Affairs
12/4/2008 - ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- In 2006, Marine Corps Maj. William Allen served with Lima Company 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, where he led his fellow Marines on a mission to catch the kidnappers of Joe Carroll, a reporter who was taken as prisoner, and were ambushed. While crossing the bridge their convoy was hit by an improvised explosive device, or as it is more commonly referred to IED, and by the time they were able to realize that it was an ambush they were hit again by two more IED's. Major Allen made sure that all of his warriors were safe and taken care of medically, all the while ignoring his own injury. They overcame the obstacle and were able to successfully complete their mission.
Though Major Allen showed no physical signs of injury he suffered a major injury, known as TBI or Traumatic Brain Injury. He endured horrible headaches, disorientation and was unable to see out of his right eye. He carried on and miraculously survived five more IED attacks.
It wasn't long before he realized that to be able to take care of his Marines he first needed to take care of himself. "It's ok to say "I'm injured or hurt", the Marine Corps will take care of you," said Major Allen.
Army Sgt. Cody Boden's, a part of Alpha Company at the Warrior Transition Unit, brigade was the only brigade to come back from Iraq and or Afghanistan with no suicides; he feels that this is due to the amount of support from his and other leadership intervening and making sure that soldiers are taken care of.
TBI cases are taken care of here at the 3rd Medical Group that houses the Air Force's only Traumatic Brain Injury Center, where they have seen and treated more than 1,500 patients and typically see more patients than the average practitioner.
Sergeant Boden was diagnosed with TBI as well and works every day to regain memory and hand to eye coordination. His particular case of TBI affects his prefrontal right lobe which controls his working memory and Visio-memory. "Too many conversations at once can make it difficult for me to concentrate," said Sergeant Boden.
One of the treatments that the WTU uses to help regain hand to eye coordination is a video game called Guitar Hero. "It makes your brain think fast and it's a fun way to work on hand to eye coordination," said Sergeant Boden.
All of the patients are each assigned to a case manager who counsels them and helps them to keep all of their medical appointments straight. At the beginning of every week the case managers print out all of their patient's appointments and have them put their appointments on their calendars and in there palm pilot devices so that they remember.
"Case managers are a great support system to back you up and 'catch you if you fall,' said Sergeant Boden they also make sure that you get adequate mental and health care."
"I want people to know that the WTU helps you keep your pride. You are able to cry for help without being looked down upon," said Sergeant Boden. The leader ship has helped a lot in making sure that their soldiers are taken care of.
"Helping the family to understand what exactly is going on helps service members with the healing process, said Major Allen. It's important for the family to realize that there will be a transition period. Military One Source is an excellent resource for care groups." The phone number is 1-800-342-9647 and the website is http://www.militaryonesource.com.
The USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment Center is an excellent place to get counseling if you need it, according to Major Allen. The call center is available 24/7 to ensure Marines, Marine veterans, and their families are supported throughout the phases of recovery at all geographic locations. The phone number is 1-877-487-6299 and the website is http://www.woundedwarriorregiment.org.
Ellie