Comments on: Brother's Keeper.

Brother's Keeper.

jeffmshaw — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 18:32:15 -0800

"When a young Fort Lewis soldier returned from Iraq paralyzed from the upper chest down, it was his teenage brother who assumed the role of roommate and primary caretaker." The Seattle Times tells the story of Brandon and Blaine Powell. Be sure to check out the audio slideshow, which features Brandon speaking over photographer Alan Berner's images.

By: Drexen

Drexen — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 18:52:07 -0800

Harsh. And yet he'd do it again?

By: digaman

digaman — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:01:42 -0800

My God. The strength of people is amazing. Thanks for this link.

By: GuyZero

GuyZero — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:15:51 -0800

What a sad story. Then comes the bowel movement. Blaine uses his gloved hand to stimulate what his brother can no longer control. The process can take 30 minutes or more. I suppose it seems purile to quote this out of everything else in the article, but to me it sums up the absolute dependence Brandon has on Blaine. They're both pretty strong to face each day like that together.

By: buzzman

buzzman — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:24:23 -0800

SGLI now/finally includes a rider for 'traumatic injury'.

By: fillsthepews

fillsthepews — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:43:58 -0800

One day, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who was touring the hospital, stopped by Brandon's bed. Rumsfeld offered his hand in greeting, leaving it extended awkwardly for a few moments before realizing his mistake. yeeeeesh. moving. thanks for posting it. i really enjoyed the audio over the pictures. wish my local paper would do actually valuable stuff like this.

By: rollbiz

rollbiz — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 20:39:56 -0800

Great post. Thank you. It really, honestly disturbs me beyond words that I could use to describe it that so many young men my age and younger (like Brandon) are going to have to deal with these terrible injuries for life. I'm sure this seems like a naive observation to someone who lived through the first Gulf War, or Vietnam, Korea...Or WWII. But this is the war of my generation...The only, I hope. And I just don't even know what else to say.

By: dazed_one

dazed_one — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 22:47:39 -0800

"are going to have to deal with these terrible injuries for life" And then there are those who don't even have that.

By: kirkaracha

kirkaracha — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 06:51:41 -0800

The San Francisco Chronicle is running a four-part series, War Without End, on soldiers who were wounded in Iraq. They have two slideshows narrated by soldiers featured in the articles.

From March 19, 2003 to March 22, 2006 Dead: 2,319 Wounded: 17,269 Amputees: 454 Amputees who have lost more than one limb: 62

By: thekilgore

thekilgore — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 07:51:41 -0800

this made me cry for so many different reasons. it's just heartbreaking. the quote that fillsthepews posted was what got me started.

By: dr_dank

dr_dank — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 08:11:33 -0800

One day, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who was touring the hospital, stopped by Brandon's bed. Rumsfeld offered his hand in greeting, leaving it extended awkwardly for a few moments before realizing his mistake. If God really existed, he would have given this kid use of his arm long enough to punch this dick in the face.

By: AuntLisa

AuntLisa — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 09:26:43 -0800

He's not heavy, he's my brother.

By: DawnSimulator

DawnSimulator — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 22:17:41 -0800

Rumsfeld is a DICK, of course, because of his role in the Iraq War, but don't be so hard on the guy for extending his hand in greeting. That habit is very deeply ingrained. People do that all the time to my husband (for 3.5 years, a C3 quad with some use of one arm). The "bowel program" is standard for those with spinal cord injuries. Neurogenic bladder is a problem as well, in SCI the urethral sphincter is perpetually closed which means the patient needs an indwelling catheter (a superhighway for pathogens) or catheterization every 4-6 hours. Most insurance does not pay for personal care of this type---if the injured is married or can live with his parents, the spouse or family are expected to handle these details. Caregiver burnout rate is very high. That very loving and dedicated brother will want and need to get on with his life sooner or later. Who will care for Brandon then?

By: deborah

deborah — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 23:58:15 -0800

It's heartbreaking.