Brain-Injured Veterans Fighting to Recover and Win Disability Payments

TBI and Bob Woodruff

By BOB WOODRUFF and JAIME HENNESSEY
Feb. 18, 2008

It has been one year since we met so many injured veterans and got to know their families. Today, it is heartening to see they are all still recovering and making strides — both large and small.

But in addition to attending rehab and doctors' visits, some of these veterans are digging through paperwork and trying to fight for larger disability payments.

'I Feel Way Lucky'
ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff first met Army Sgt. Will Glass and his wife, Amelia, at the Bethesda Naval Hospital a year and a half ago.

Glass had been in a coma for two weeks and part of his skull had been removed. His hands were crushed and his left eye was gone.

But today in northern California, there is some normalcy returning to the Glasses' lives.

Glass has a new glass eye that moves almost like his right eye. Although one of his fingers was lost, his grip is improving and he is even taking auto repair courses.

His confidence is up and he says people "don't stare anymore. It's just like I'm a normal person to them."

The military has not yet determined Glass' disability or his future payments.

Glass recently received military photographs from the bloody scene of the roadside attack that injured him. "I feel way lucky," Glass said, looking at the photograph.

"Some people would look at that and can't imagine that you would consider yourself lucky," Woodruff said.

"Yeah, but I am happy to be alive," Glass said.

Glass now can perform daily tasks like dressing himself and feeding himself, giving his wife, she says, "a chance to get my life back."

When Woodruff asked what advice they would give other couples, the Glasses agreed.

"Time heals all wounds," Amelia said.

"You just got to be a champ and just tough it out. I got injured in September 2006 and it's now 2008 and I am still going through it, and it just takes time and effort," Glass said.


'Slowly but Surely'
A year ago, Marine Sgt. Shurvon Philip of Cleveland could not speak and could hardly move.
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PLEASE GO TO THE WEB SITE AND READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AND WATCH THE VIDEO'S

Bob Woodruff and his wife are inspirations to all veterana and their spouses, disabled or not, the nation and veterans are better off because of them, they care and they really do help, they will forever have my admiration.


Injured Vets Struggle to Get Disability Help
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