Dear Mr.Woodruff and family:

By way of introductions, I spent nearly 12 years as a Trauma Social Worker at a Level II Trauma Center in New Jersey and was reassigned to the oncology unit (different kind of trauma) as the Social Worker there. Previous to that, I was a print journalist. I am writing because as your loved ones can testify my world changed in the morning of Friday, Jan. 18 when my nurse case manager colleague received the call that no parent should have to receive. I will never forget the look on her face when her husband told her hysterically that her 23 year old son was shot in the neck and was in surgery. Their son is a full time National Guardsman (Washington, D.C.) called to serve in Iraq (we think he was in a northern province) Details are sketchy. However, we know that he was approaching a checkpoint and was ambushed. As a Lt., it was believed the bullet was meant for him. No others in his command were injured. Their son has been in Germany in the intensive care unit where reports were that he suffered a stroke has nearly lost the entire left side of his brain. The shunt that was placed in the brain designed to drain fluid off the brain had not been draining. It was believed this may have resulted in the formation of blood clots. The current status is unknown. Earlier this week, the goal was to try to get him back to Walter Reed so his parents could be with their family and help support them through this difficult time. The soldier is also vent dependent of course although I have no knowledge that his brain stem has collapsed. My colleague believes her son is responding to her. However, I know from having travelled with many families down this road during my trauma career, this most probably is a reflex response. We just don't know. If we do get this soldier back to Walter Reed, what resources would be available specifically for this young man and his family? I understand the National Rehabilitation Institute does remarkable work. If nothing else, this message has helped me take a brief respite from my grief. Thank you. Please reach out if you can. Barb