Larry's Journal
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July 29, 2009
October Explosions in Iraq: A Story of Two Soldiers
July 15, 2009 is a date that is burned into the memories of the families of First Lieutenant Andrew K. Kinard, USMC (Ret.) and Lieutenant Colonel Raymond T. Rivas, USAR (Ret.). Their stories intertwined with explosions of an improvised explosive device and a mortar shell. The soldiers came face-to-face on April 29, 2009 when they both testified at a Senate hearing in Washington D.C. The Hearing To Examine The Implementation Of Wounded Warrior Policies and Programs was chaired by Senator Ben Nelson.
Lt. Kinard was injured October 29, 2006 in Al Anbar Province when he stepped on an IED and lost his entire body below the hips. Seventeen days earlier, on October 12, Lt. Col. Rivas was working as a civil affairs officer at the Tallil Forward Operating Base in Iraq when it was attacked by mortar fire. He sustained a traumatic brain injury.
For the whole story, please read October Explosions in Iraq: A Story of Two Soldiers
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July 19, 2009
Put a Smile on Your Face
Here are some funny things found in newspapers that just might bring a smile to your face.
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June 01, 2009
Highlights from Beth's Brain Injury Blog
Last weekend Larry and I celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary, 19+ of which we have been living with my brain injury. Oops, I just sort of told my age. Although we have become one in a lot of ways, we each claim a certain degree of independence. As many of us living with brain injury are aware, independence is vital to surviving in this world with a brain injury – but, we also know it can get you into trouble or cause unnecessary arguments.
...continue reading Brain Injury Independence.
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...It speaks of some of the various symptoms those of us living with brain injury deal with every day. It also includes a little humor which I think we all need as we learn to live with our limitations and find various compensatory strategies to replace abilities we've lost.
...continue reading Living with Brain Injury
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I have just celebrated Mother’s Day with my two wonderful sons after 19 years since my brain injury was discovered. It was a perfect day – nothing like the day I finally admitted to myself that I had a brain injury after months of denial. I remember it like it was yesterday. My oldest son had already started college. I was to help the younger one study for a test he was having the next day. He handed me a list of questions that he wanted me to ask him. I stared at the page, but something was wrong. I COULD NOT READ IT!
...continue reading Brain Injury Denial
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May 30, 2009
Neil Cotter's Story
Brain Injury Survivor Neil Cotter has written a wonderfully well thought article entitled, My Heroes Have Scars. Please read it and leave a comment for Neil.
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April 12, 2009
What Everyone Should Know About Brain Injury
Today, Easter of 2009, we finished a collaborative movie with Amazon.com about our book. You can see the movie at What Everyone Should Know About Brain Injury.
We're making plans to do several more videos.