Bob Woodruff Recovery: Photos

While preparing for this most interesting series did anyone ever mention, or did anyone ever find, a connection to the end of the draft and a rise in the gang culture? It is a question that has been in my mind during this series.

Bob,
You probably don’t remember me but I know you remember the day. July 26, 2005, the day NASA returned to flight. I was the NASA escort for astronaut John Harrington. I found the answer to your question that day, “About how many people in the local area are just outside the gates awaiting this launch?” I was in shock when I first learned of your accident. I am a former active duty Marine and understand the combat zone. I have since prayed for a speedy recovery for you and the others that were involved. I am excited about your special that will air soon. This email is to let you know that there are more people out here wishing the best for you than you’ll ever know. We wish you and the family all the best.

Bob! Congratulations on all your hard work on the road back from Iraq. yes, out war vets are not getting the timely nor quality care they need. But there is a larger issue here, that is civil rights for PWDs, that is people with disabilities. I hope that now you have become a PWD you will be a guiding light for “the media” and shine a light on our struggle to be heard and seen. Medical care is needed, but one should not lose their civil rights when one becomes a PWD.
take care
Kathy

Bob,
I have been anxious to know about your health since the very moment the news of your injury came out. I cried several time just watching your report tonight. I just want to tell you that I am so impressed with your physical and psychological improvement as well as your extraordinary report about your injury and the injury of the soldiers. Bob, I am 36 years old and so far I have witnessed/lived through a violent revolution, a war, and living in a violent environment; so, I know a few things about loosing lives and being injured in a war. I absolutely loved your report, but I wish you would have focused more on “Why” all these things are happening and “The Reason of this War”. I bet you have a totally different view to life now. I wish you and your family the best.

Thank you.

It is high time mainstream media expose this criminal administration’s lies in “supporting the troops”. THANK YOU BOB WOODRUFF for having the courage and responsibility in journalism for doing so! So glad to see you’re recovering so well!

I’ve watched you on GMA this morning, the evening news and just watched your documentary.
First, I am thrilled you are doing so well. You have the support of the network and your family, which makes things less stressful.
Please, please, please keep this situation in the forefront of the news. Everyday citizens should be getting and keep getting the truth about the number of our troops returning home with these types of brain injuries and the lack of of proper treatment on the local level after they leave the major facilities where they are treated upon their return to the United States.
I pray you will continue to improve and I pray you will be successful in your endeavor to help in this situation. In this country, we treat our pets better than we do our troops, at that is incredibly sad and inexcusable.
Anything I can do, let me know. I would like to get involved as a photographer and writer.
Best regards to you and your family,
pt

Bob,
As I watched your personal story unfold in last night’s story, it became clear why you were given this miraculous recovery….TO TELL THE STORY. Americans need to know the real pricetag of this war, in the cost of personal lives and quality of life to service men and women and their families. And what about the Iraqi lives lost or changed forever. Thank you to you and your family for the courage and strength you share in telling your story. Blessings.

Bob…I shed a few tears when I watched your program on ABC last night. Mainly because I am so frustrated at this war and what it is doing to our young people and their families.
I know what war is like. I was a young teenager in W.W.II in England I know what it is like to spend nights in air raid shelters while the German bombers were overhead. I saw the destruction that war does to countries and the lives of their people.
Thank you for bringing this to the attention of people in Washinton since they don’t seem to get it that people are sick of this war and want it to end. They just want to send more young people into this meat grinder. Shame on all of them!
We see the destruction to American families but noone speaks about what it is doing to the Iraqi families. They are going through the same thing.
Please Bob continue to address this problem. People soon forget especially the ones in Washington.
I admire your wife so much and I will purchase her book.
The best to you in life and continue to make progress and speak out for those that don’t have a voice.
…Joan…

Bob,
I really enjoyed your show last night. I am so proud of your recovery and your ability to tell the truth. It really got me fired up. As many have already mentioned, I do not support this war. I never have. We are losing brothers,sisters mothers, fathers, sons and daughter everyday. And now to hear of all the injured troops coming home and the need for better medical treatment and facilities.
Please keep up the good work you are doing in reporting the news about the war and the medical treatment our troops are receiving. We need to know how are troops are doing when they get home. We do not want them to fall through the cracks.
My heart and my prayers go out to all the troops. They all deserve a big hug.
God bless you, your family and our servicemen.

To Bob Woodruff and family….Thank you and your family for sharing your story and especially for bringing attention to all those injured in this war and others. Your story touched our hearts as we watched your difficult struggle and recovery. Your documentary gave us a closer look at our soldiers and all they have sacrificed and continue to endure for us. Is there anything we, as individuals, can do (besides all the prayers) for those injured soldiers and their families. Would writing letters to the injured soldiers help? We feel we need to do something to help encourage those who are having difficult times. People do care and they need to hear that. Again, thank you and welcome back to ABC evening news.

Bob,
Thank you for your story on Feb. 27th. I have been through what you are going through. Six years ago on Feb. 27th, I had serious brain aneurysm illness and a stroke. My family was told that I may not make it or I may have to go into a home having problems with speaking, memory, being paralized. I was given as you were given. Miracle recovery. Seeing you, helped me seeing a person going through as I did. I have such respect for you. For what you are doing to help the other soldiers having brain problems and helping their families. What they are going through is difficult. I know that you were given a gift from God and now what you are doing is what God has asked you to do. You are a wonderful person. A person to teaching people what is important in life. You are teaching me. You do have a wonderful wife who is helping you through your recovery. I am excited to read the book you both wrote. God bless you. Thank you.

Dear Bob and Lee,
I tried to watch your special but my husband found it too painful,so all week I have caught snipets. You see on 1/31/05 my husband suffered a brain aneurysm. Like you he was in a coma and like you, Bob, he was not expected to make it…but with the support of a loving family and friends, skilled doctors and God’s blessings he is here with us. Much has been lost on this journey and much has been gained. This week has been a great struggle and watching you in stolen moments were difficult and inspiring for me…but what kept coming to my mind is how many times Bob appeared on t.v….I felt great concern for him.
As someone whose husband is two years post trauma, becareful! When someone heals the way Bob has (looks almost like his old self, acts almost like his old self) it can be deceptive. Lee, you are so happy to have the love of your life back and Bob is so happy to show the love of his life he is back…it is very easy to push much too hard.
My husband has become great at compensating. At sitting in a room where so much is going on… smiling… and later feeling so drained he can barely move. I watched your interviews with a different eye than most. While I admired the wonderful, animated and loving way you conducted the interviews, I also ached for Bob going over this, and over this just a year after such a trauma. Hearing the pain this caused his family (that many times in a week)has to be difficult, even for someone who is 90% back.
Lee, each tbi person heals differently but they are all fragile on different levels for a time. I have learned it’s usually 3 steps forward and 1 or 2 steps back. The two of you are an amazing couple with so much to offer in bringing this illness to light. Yet, also keeping in mind, healing from a traumatic brain injury is an uphill journey.
I look forward to attending one of your book signings with my husband. If we can be of support to any of the tbi patients you are working with please do not hesitate to contact us at the above email address. May God continue to bless the Woodruffs.
Regards,
Franki

Dear Lee & Bob,
Your book is being so inspirational to me! My husband suffered anoxia to the brain after a lightning strike stopped his heart. He is still recovering. Things I read in your book are what we’re going through.
Its tough to see my husband struggle. The anoxia caused him to lose his short-term memory, so every day he wakes up to finding out he’s injured.
He’s a good man, he’s still able to say he loves me. I remember, at the hospital I became so used to talking to him in his coma, that it shocked me the first time I heard his voice again.
We have four kids also, but ours are older. Yet, I noticed reading your book that my older daughter and son reacted similar. Mine were both in different years of college. Yet, my daughter was there with her dad more and my son withdrew. He took pictures of his dad with him. So, I knew he was having a more private grief.
Thank you for being brave enough to share your tragedy…your fears…your triumphs. I feel much less alone in mine.
I don’t mean ..alone..as if I had no support. I’ve had wonderful love and support of family and friends. I mean alone..as in realizing this road has been walked before me..there is a place to turn and learn.
You are beautiful people who see both the heart-ache and the joys in your life, even in struggle.
Thanks,
Ginny

Bob, I watch you often, and am so glad that you have done so well with your recovery. God Bless you. Do you have a brother named Dave, who went to John Glenn High school in Westland in 1967? He and I were very good friends, and I had to leave……..If it is him, can I get his address, to get in contact again?
Thank you, Gloria