"Trapped in between life and death" - a heartbreaking story

[flamingyouth]

Sometimes brotherhood means much more than sharing parents. Sometimes it means sharing hands.

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.

They've learned what it means to feel completely dependent and what it means to feel completely responsible.

Spc. Brandon Powell was scanning for snipers from the hatch of an armored troop carrier in Iraq when something hit him.

It must be the shock wave from a rocket-propelled grenade, Powell thought. His legs buckled and he slumped back into his seat, passing out for a few seconds. He awoke to someone shouting.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002874787_quadsoldier19m.html

[Rainscents]

1. Truly sad and I really admire ST for great coverage.

So young to be like this, his whole life is gone because of illegal war. :(

[SeattleGirl]

2. You beat me to it! I was going to post a link to this story.

I'm glad you did post this. I read the story and thought it was a very good illustration of how many of our soldiers come back, and the very personal way in which their wounds and limitations affect them and those around them. And I have to give big kudos to Blaine, Brandon's brother, for stepping up as he has. How many kids his age would do that? Of course, I do have the same concerns that the professional's at the VA have -- that it may keep Blaine from living a full life. But for now, Blaine seems to be totally committed to caring for Brandon.

[flamingyouth]

3. That picture especially... it just breaks my heart

:cry:

I don't know whether to be enraged or cry.

[SeattleGirl]

4. I feel the same

I am so glad the Times did this story. People need to SEE and KNOW that war isn't a big rah-rah game. It's freakin' nasty, and Brandon and so many others have paid a high price.

[flamingyouth]

6. I know

And it's not just the deaths (although those are HORRIBLE, clearly) - we don't hear about the wounded nearly enough either.

GOD DAMN YOU, GEORGE BUSH!!!

[Whoa_Nelly]

23. Good point, SG re: those coming back with limitations

How many won't have someone to care for them? How many are going to end up on the street? How many are going to be shuffled off to some unknown hospital/hospice simply because they have no family able to cope with their war-created disabilities? How many of these did we see as a result of the Vietnam era?

This war is going to bing back some who make it through, but how intact?

[SeattleGirl]

27. I know. There are already a large number of homeless Iraqi vets

out on the streets. Support the troops? Hell, yes! Get them the medical/psychological help they need. Get them a place to live. Get them something to eat. Get them whatever they need. Those who come back wounded gave just short of the ultimate sacrifice. They deserve something from US. And something from the United States Government that sent them there in the first place.

[Fenris]

5. This is what gets me.

Brandon's discharge from the Army entitles him to lifelong VA disability benefits of about $6,500 a month — nearly half of which goes to Blaine for providing care. Another $500 goes to a friend who keeps an eye on Brandon while Blaine works three nights a week stocking shelves at Safeway.

That's all your service is worth. $6500 per month. That's what you get for losing control of your body. The President gets a cushy pension and perquisites of office, and you get $6,500 a month.

[SeattleGirl]

9. But, but, Fenris. Bush is the Pretzeldent and it's HARD WORK

And of course, I am being completely sarcastic. That fuck-head can still ride a bike (well, sort of), but Brandon can't. That fuck-head can feed himself, but Brandon can't. Brandon cannot even scratch his own head.

$6,500 is absolutely NOT enough. But then, what amount of money could ever make up for what that young man has lost?

[Fenris]

10. The president deserves an equitable pension

As he is (as far as we know) still fully operationally physically (mentally not so much), he should receive $0 as a pension. Seems only fair, since he can still earn money.

[SeattleGirl]

12. I absolutely agree with you!

Lets give the disabled vets the money!

[Solly Mack]

7. "At night, in his dreams, he still walks and runs."

no words

[flamingyouth]

33. I know...

That part killed me too...

[Minnesota Libra]

8. OMG, that is so very very sad. not words for this. nt

[pinto]

11. My God. What love in the midst of loss.

[burrowowl]

13. And his kid brother

what will happen to him? does he get social security from his work?
When his brother dies, what will happen to him? When will he burn out?
Very sad!

[SeattleGirl]

14. Part of the money Brandon gets for his disability goes to Blaine,

his brother. But Blaine still works part-time. As to what would happen when Brandon dies, I don't know. Hopefully, that won't happen for a long, long time.

[OneBlueSky]

15. please recommend this . . . everyone should read it . . . n/t

.

[SeattleGirl]

16. Absolutely! I have already recommended it.

[maddezmom]

17. done

:cry:

[oasis]

18. These stories are tough to read and tough to tell, but they must be told.

K&R.

[KitchenWitch]

19. Kicked and Recommended

[In_The_Wind]

20. This is the true spirit of brotherly love. War Is Hell!

:cry:

[northofdenali]

21. K & R

:cry:

[barbtries]

22. 21 years old

and a sacrifice to the corrupt murderous administration. the story was sad but also beautifully described the special relationship these brothers share.

[NMMNG]

24. Very touching

:cry:

[aaronbees]

25. Incredibly sad, and it seems he has good support

Great story and an important one to be told ... the photos really convey the relationships so well -- hearbreaking, yes, but it looks like he's got some strong friends to help him start this difficult journey. Just that one little description about Rumsfeld says so much, too -- what an insufferable scumbag he is with no understanding how much blood soils his hands. But Brandon's brother, now that's someone who really knows responsibility.

Thank you for sharing this!

[lostnfound]

26. What a devastating article, very well written.

A very minor detail that made me appreciate the writer: "The parents each have their own worries".

No attempt at explanation or judgment, no details. Seems like the writer respects privacy.

[SeattleGirl]

28. I noticed that too.

And I'm glad that the writer really didn't get into it. This story was about the brothers, and that's where the focus should be.

[lostnfound]

29. That's right. Also no questions about how they feel about the war...

which is remarkable restraint compared to most articles.

The writer didn't make it about who in the family supports the war and who is against it.. Never broaches the subject.

So the story is what it is, a portrayal of 2 lives.

[SeattleGirl]

30. And that's exactly what it should be about.

Whether someone is for or against the war, if their child/spouse/sibling is wounded or killed, they deserve our compassion and our caring, because of the loss they have suffered.

[The Backlash Cometh]

31. So it begins...

[mopinko]

32. 50.000 of these kind of injured

SO FAR. half of whom will never function on their own. prepare to see the fundies find a way to support death with dignity.

[phusion]

34. man...

Heartbreaking stuff...

I really hope I could be as strong as either one of these two kids if I was ever in such a situation.

K&R

[flamingyouth]

36. I don't know that I could have been.

I just remember being that age. Dealing with something like this even now would be overwhelming.

Needless to say, it would be nice if they got a little more help from the government. :eyes:

[DanCa]

35. Damn stupid war...

can someone post this and fee republic to let those blood thirsty idiots see the harm that their war is causing our men and women over seas. Thanks for the story Flamming Youth. It's a shame that so many people, have to suffer for Bush's blood lust.

[mdmc]

37. AGREED

:kick: sad story

[SeattleGirl]

38. Good idea, DanCa, but it probably wouldn't last 5 minutes over there

Besides, they'd probably find some way to blame the wounded soldier, they're so sick-minded.

[flamingyouth]

40. I wouldn't bother with the freepers, to be honest.

They'd just say, hey, he was a volunteer, too bad he got hurt. Gee, I've got a yellow ribbon on my truck. :nopity:

Actually, maybe that's oversimplifying. They probably do feel sorry for the guy, but I don't think they're able to make the connection between their own bloodlust and this family's suffering.

[Missy Vixen]

39. If there is such a thing as Hell

I can only hope that those who lied and schemed to get our country involved in this war will be spending a long time there.

Julie