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- Military: Combat Brain Injury
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Many combat soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan are now returning home... some with battle injuries. As many as 2/3 of the wounded have experienced what's called "traumatic brain injury" or TBI. That's because battlefield medicine has improved dramatically, and sophisticated body armor now protects troops from what used to be fatal explosions. TBI is caused by the brain bumping against the skull, creating damage that causes changes in personality, memory and motor functioning.
In this non-narrated feature KALW News producer Rupa Marya visits the Veterans Hospital in Palo Alto, California - one of only four VA centers in the country equipped to treat TBI. The story centers on army specialist Erik Castillo, who served as roadside escort in Iraq, and shows the process of treatment and recovery. In 2004 Castillo was wounded by a roadside bomb, forcing him to undergo intensive rehabilitation.
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Piece Description
Many combat soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan are now returning home... some with battle injuries. As many as 2/3 of the wounded have experienced what's called "traumatic brain injury" or TBI. That's because battlefield medicine has improved dramatically, and sophisticated body armor now protects troops from what used to be fatal explosions. TBI is caused by the brain bumping against the skull, creating damage that causes changes in personality, memory and motor functioning. In this non-narrated feature KALW News producer Rupa Marya visits the Veterans Hospital in Palo Alto, California - one of only four VA centers in the country equipped to treat TBI. The story centers on army specialist Erik Castillo, who served as roadside escort in Iraq, and shows the process of treatment and recovery. In 2004 Castillo was wounded by a roadside bomb, forcing him to undergo intensive rehabilitation.
Broadcast History
Originally aired on KALW, 91.7 FM in San Francisco, on June 26th, 2005.
Timing and Cues
Story begins with music that should fade up under the host intro. Music brings the piece out as well, and can be faded out as you like
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Allan Coukell
Posted on November 06, 2005 at 10:31 AM | Permalink
Review of Military: Combat Brain Injury
Brain injury is increasingly common among US soldiers in Iraq, for the reasons mentioned here. This fact has been reported, but I don't recall ever before hearing the voice of an affected solider. This piece is important for bringing us that voice. We hear the soldier, some sounds from his physical therapy session, and an expert, a neuropsychologist. The material is handled sensitivly and without external narration. The soldier's personal soundtrack also makes an effective soundtrack for the piece. It might need to be shorter to reach a wider audience, but people should hear it.
That said, I want to mention two things:
First, from the narrative standpoint, we need a better sense of who this man was before his accident, and what has been lost. Maybe he can tell us that, or maybe we need to hear from his family or friends. But without knowing where he started, we can't really understand - or feel - where he is now. Also, it would be a minor miracle if a young man in the prime of his life wasn't, at times, absolutely filled with rage over his fate. We need to hear about that.
Secondly, and more importantly, the piece seems to suggest that traumatic brain injury is something that heals in about 18 months. It is true that recovery is slow, when it happens. But many patients with TBI have very limited recovery. Some of these soldiers will end up as vegetables. Some will be bed-ridden. Some will lose their memories or their ability to speak. Many of those with frontal lobe damage will undergo profound personality changes. Talking about "healing" in 18 months doesn't begin to convey the devastation.