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Return to Article: Forward Observer: Invisible Wounds

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  It is comments like Jimmys that show why articles like this need wo be written. Invisible injuries like TBI and PTSD are just that no scars, no obvious wounds, but the military member is harmed none the less and in many cases, it might be years before it impacts the veterans life wo where they may need help from the Veterans Administration or from various government agencies. Like Senator Max Cleland first sought help for his PTSD publicly more than 4 decades after his wounds in Vietnam, this is a serious issue and a economic unknown on how costly it may be to the nation. These veterans will need real help not ridicule, this is not just being afraid of fireworks.

  Mike Bailey Posted July 16, 2008 6:09 PM
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  Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy... No, No, No... The immense forces that blasts exude onto our troops are experiencing in IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN is tremendous. Think of the brain floating in the skull... What happens in a car accident and the victim suffers a concussion due to hitting head against the windshield - the brain moves violently back and forth and a sheering effect occurs which can than result into Traumatic Brain Injury. In the blasts that our troops are experiencing the shearing effect still occurs because the force of the blast makes the brain jostle so - that the brain just bangs around inside the skull. Now if the troop is in a vehicle and the blast occurs, they get the effects from the blast and the car accident. Put a fish in a bowl of water and shake it around....not the same analogy but you get my drift.

  Please google Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center for more TBI information.

  Lee Posted July 16, 2008 12:43 PM
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  Jimmy needs to do some research. Watching fireworks may impact your hearing later in life but it certainly is not the same as an explosion right next to you or underneath you. Beleive me, I stepped on a booby trap in Vietnam and it was a tad louder than fireworks.

  Ron Posted July 15, 2008 2:17 PM
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  Jimmy, i take it that you have never been around an explosion that shook you so much you were so disorientated and could not think for a couple of days or even longer. It's the concussion from the blast that puts stress marks on your brain that causes TBI, and probably other things. I've been hit by several IED's from 57mm rounds to 5 155mm daisy chained and i can tell you first hand what it does. Even though im alright, I know that my brain doesnt work like it used too. So unless you have been hit right next to where you were at, please dont down what the Gov't and other organizations that are trying to figure it out. Be a patron and support your troops what ever they me be going through...

  James Posted July 15, 2008 12:20 PM
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  Spoken like a true land crab that's the silliest thing I have ever heard its the same as the 4th of July. Stay in the rear with the gear your already brain damaged

  Dan ketter Posted July 15, 2008 10:40 AM
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  Hhmm, the force and sound of a bomb I would say is substantially different from that of any firework at a show in the U.S.... but hey, what do I know from my experiences in the Corps on tour in Southwest Asia, so let's give the experts their break for they probably experienced the blast meant to kill them,... or... not!

  Robert Posted July 15, 2008 10:06 AM
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  As a volunteer supporting child abuse prevention; I recommend the military health programs and pediatricians who are working on the shaken baby syndrome to get together. Maybe they can help both the babies and the soldiers. TBI is the same injury - whether is it caused by an adult shaking a baby or a IED exploding near a soldier.

  ejnichols Posted July 15, 2008 9:07 AM
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  Most likely it's the ball bearings, nails, screws and other chunks of metal that penetrate the brains during the explosions. Brain damage from just being close to an explosion? Give me a break. All of America should have brain damage after every 4th of July fireworks show. Talk about loud. Just as loud as a bomb. Your theory is a bit week. If they have any mental trauma, it's because they were forced to stay over there too long killing those SOB's.

  Jimmy Posted July 15, 2008 7:30 AM