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April 12th, 2009 changed U.S. Army Sergeant Brendan Marocco's life forever. Traveling in a truck in Iraq, a roadside explosively formed projectile ripped through the metal exterior designed to protect him. He lost both arms, and both legs. But he did not lose hope, optimism, and his determination to adapt.
Sergeant Marocco became the first Iraq veteran to survive a quadruple amputation. This article was inspired by him, and is dedicated to the many veterans who are adapting to, and overcoming, new physical challenges with the help of medical supplies and equipment.
1. 10 Amazing Resources to Take Control if You Need an Artificial Limb
In most cases, fear comes from feeling like we don't have control over a situation. This article provides 10 organizations and resources that can help someone new to needing a prosthetic device of some kind regain control of their new reality.
Inside, you'll find information about how to locate a prosthetic specialist, how to take care of your prosthetic, the art and science behind making a prosthesis look life-like, credible websites loaded with answers to frequently asked questions, and even links to the latest news articles that provide hope and potential for amputees.More »
2. Must-Have Resources if You Are New to Prosthetics
If you're new to artificial limbs, or perhaps want to learn more about what's happening in the science and social worlds for adaptation and enhancement, you'll find some interesting sites here.
The Amputee Coalition of America has a "Military In-Step" Program that provides information and resources in language you can understand if you don't have a medical or science degree.More »
3. Regain Your Independence With the KD Smart Chair Electric Wheelchair
Unfortunately, wheelchairs have become a reality for many young veterans. Until their abrupt, life-changing wounds, they would have had very little experience with wheelchairs.
This article about the KD Smart Chair provides a place to start. It's not a manual chair, where the user needs to turn the wheels. It's electric powered, so the user propels and steers the KD Smart Chair with a joystick mounted on the arm rest. This feature may make the KD Smart Chair the right choice for a veteran with severe arm or shoulder injuries that prevent them from turning the wheels themselves on a manual chair.
The chair also folds up flat and quickly, making it a portable chair. This would be another important benefit for a young veteran who no doubt wants to adapt to their former reality of getting outdoors and traveling with friends. More »
4. 13 Scooters Ready To Take You Off-Road To Enjoy Nature This Fall
It's no surprise that young adults typically enjoy the outdoors, especially the people who had the interest to join the military. So how can a veteran with severe mobility challenges get back to the hiking trail, the park, the backyard barbecue, or the beach?
Here's a list of scooters designed specifically for the great outdoors. Bigger tires, storage and comfort accessories, and powerful motors all make this possible. More »
5. Medical Supplies for Physical Therapy
Many wounded warriors have become well-acquainted with physical therapy. I've included a through resource here to help someone preparing to start physical therapy with an introduction to some of the medical equipment they'll use, product reviews and links to video demonstrations, and links to specialists describing the specific physical disorders that a veteran may have.More »
6. How to Prevent Hospital Acquired Infections in VA Hospitals
Finally, I want veterans to have a better understanding of hospital-acquired infections. The more they know about them, the better they can work with their nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals to stay clean and protected from picking up an infection while in the hospital receiving care for their injuries.More »
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