The Hospital Part is the "Easy" Part

Sitting in the ICU waiting room 10+ years ago, anxiously waiting for news from the trauma surgeons and surrounded by friends, a very wise man told me... "Believe it or not, the hospital part is going to be the easy part." These words have come to mind almost daily throughout the course of the days and years to follow. At first, while still in the hospital, the thoughts were of disbelief... how could anything be harder than this? Afterwards, the thoughts have been more a realization of how profoundly true those seemingly simple words were.

As we come upon Thanksgiving, I want to pause and be thankful for all those who have walked down this oh so difficult road... and continue to live life "after the hospital part." In so doing, I want to share a few of stories about the heroes around you. These are stories of law enforcement officers whose lives, and their families lives, were forever changed through catastrophic events and injuries sustained while serving and protecting their communities. I have had the honor of meeting a number of these heroes and their spouses, and they all wish that they could return to their life of service.

They all are wired that special way with the desire to help people that surpasses their desire for self.

They all grieve, not just the physical loss their disabilities have caused, but the loss of camaraderie that they once had with other officers that was rooted in the need to completely trust others to have your back... while at the same time having their back.

Their families have all adjusted schedules, routines, activities, finances, and careers to accommodate caregiver roles.

They were all take charge types of people who now find life taking charge.

Not unlike any civilian who faces catastrophic injury, they all struggle to figure out where they fit in with disabilities and with the door to the life they once knew so well, forever slammed shut behind them.

They all deserve honor, respect and our thanks; because without their selfless willingness to serve and protect, our society would be overrun by those who selfishly seek to destroy order and take advantage.

Thank you to these officers and others like them, as well as to all of those who are currently serving and protecting in their communities. (Names have been changed to respect their privacy and to honor their safety... for all have taken dangerous criminals off our streets and helped to make our communities safer places to live)

Bob, a bomb tech and sergeant in charge of the city's bomb squad, suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from the back blast of a bomb 7 years ago. His distinguished law enforcement career was preceded by service in the US Army. His wife and 2 of his 3 sons also have served, or are serving in our nation's military. This family has given much to their community and country, yet they still struggle just to get basic medical care for Bob. Due to his injuries, he cannot work, and his wife has had to give up her career to become a caregiver. Both Bob and his wife continue to reach out to other disabled officers to offer assistance and encouragement because they know the path and don't want anyone to walk it alone.

Joe was in a foot pursuit of a repeat violent offender when he was shot. The gunshot wound to his neck resulted in multiple strokes and permanent disabilities. Joe has young children and his wife works full time to support the family. Like many departments across the country, his department opted out of Social Security, yet did not provide alternate disability coverage for officers. Joe, like many disabled officers, had to retire from the career he loved way before his time, cannot work, and is left with no disability coverage.

Tom had served in the sheriff’s department for 17 years when he was involved in a head on crash when, on his way to a call, a driver coming towards him crossed the center line. Among other things, Tom's legs were badly broken and crushed. He spent months in and out of surgery and rehab just trying to get back to the life he knew and loved, but was not physically able to return to work within a year's time. His department thanked him by handing him a pink slip. Tom has 2 wonderful kids and a wife who continues to give to their community as a dispatcher.

Bill was on his way to a 911 call involving what he thought was an armed robbery. The call turned out to be fake... someone trying to pull one over on their insurance company. Bill hit a patch of ice and lost control of his vehicle while responding to this call. Because of the selfish acts of one person, Bill faces the loss of his career and permanent disability.

I could go on and on with stories of heroes and their families who are "lost in a sea of blue." All of these heroes continue to have a servant's heart and would do anything to be back in uniform. All have been disconnected from the family they had relied on professionally. All have battled, and continue to battle pain and uncertainty as they live out life "after the hospital part."

This Thanksgiving, I pause to thank those all across the country who cannot be adequately thanked for their dedication and service to our country and communities. I thank their families and those who have walked with them. We are truly blessed to count so many of these heroes in our circle of friends along the twisted and broken thin blue line. God bless you all!