Veterans Day: New Technology for a New War

At the moment, there are over 128,000 troops in Iraq, and 66,000 in Afghanistan. These wars are much different than previous wars we have been in, and the soldiers returning with injuries need new solutions to live active, fulfilling lives.

The impact of these wars in the middle east is expected to be much different and more severe than other wars because the soldiers have been and will be killing people at close range, engaging in intense gun battles, serving several tours with short periods of rest before the next deployment, and finally because a large percentage of injuries are brain related. Traumatic brain injuries are a newer type of injury for the military to deal with. It was recently found that over 60 percent of soldiers that had head, face, or neck injuries also had a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries can cause headaches, depression, memory problems, and mobility issues like difficulty moving limbs and walking. Technology is such that soldiers in these wars are living through injuries that they wouldn't have survived before. Body armor shields the body from devastating injuries to the torso and other areas but does not prevent the shock of the blow from hurting the brain or extremeties. These soldiers are also given the best medical care available in the field and back at home - medical advances that were not available in previous wars.

After soldiers recover from these injuries, the goal is to help them return to a high quality of life rather than just keep them alive. Equipment and programs for disabled veterans exist now to allow soldiers with most injuries and impairments to do whatever they wish. Spinal cord injury, amputee, and other patients have many wheelchair, scooter, and other mobility resources to choose from.

Wheelchairs being handed out to Veterans on Veterans Day 2009

New robotic technology gives patients hope that they will be able to walk again. Transportation options are more advanced than ever, allowing the soldier to return to work, play, and to travel with their families. Wheelchair ramps, tie-down systems to stabilize wheelchairs in the vehicle, hand controls to accelerate, brake, and shift gears, and other automotive adaptive equipment is available to allow these soldiers to regain their mobility after injury.

Houses can be adapted to fit the soldier's needs as well, allowing space for wheelchairs, adaptations for technology like TVs, speaker phones, and computers, and voice activated systems that allow more automation of the house and less use of one's hands.

Sports are a vital part of recovery, and many soldiers remark after injury that staying in shape and being able to have fun with friends and others with the same injuries becomes very important to their continued well being. Non-profit organizations have sprung up all over the country to assist soldiers with adaptive equipment and sports leagues. Almost every sport is played by athletes in wheelchairs, whether it be basketball, tennis, skiing, or bowling.

As President Obama said today at Fort Hood, "Tomorrow is Veterans Day. It is a chance to pause, and to pay tribute - for students to learn of the struggles that preceded them; for families to honor the service of parents and grandparents; for citizens to reflect upon the sacrifices that have been made in pursuit of a more perfect union.

For history is filled with heroes. You may remember the stories of a grandfather who marched across Europe; an uncle who fought in Vietnam; a sister who served in the Gulf. But as we honor the many generations who have served, I think all of us - every single American - must acknowledge that this generation has more than proved itself the equal of those who have come before.

We need not look to the past for greatness, because it is before our very eyes."

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Here at AMS Vans, we are grateful for and honor the men and women that have served in our country's military in the past and pray for the safe return of those who are deployed.

This Veterans Day we are offering $2500 off any handicap accessible van purchased between now and November 30th. Talk to a mobility sales consultant for more information at 800-775-8267.