Another in what I hope will be a series of looks at Valour-IT in action...
CPT Ziegenfuss is a co-creator of Valour-IT. It was actually his experience with a voice-activated laptop that inspired the creation of Valour-IT. Today on his blog, he described his condition when he first received a voice-activated latop.
I know how much it means to the guys who are stuck lying on their backs, unable to use their hands to so much as scratch. Being fed, bathed, taken care of like an infant—not exactly a fitting role for a warrior who's used to being the one who helps others. It sure as hell wasn't a role that I wanted...
And not a role that is conducive to coping with the trauma of injury or coming to terms with its lifelong effects. I've written before about the role that these laptops can play in bolstering the mental health of their users, which is such an important part of recovery from severe injuries. But as usual, CPT Z says it better, and in his own inimitable style:
At that time I had no use of either hand. I know how humbling it is, how humiliating it feels. And I know how much better I felt, how amazingly more functional I felt, after Soldiers' Angels provided me with a laptop and a loyal reader provided me with the software. I can't wait to do the same, to give that feeling to another soldier at Walter Reed.
This is what it's about, folks. We are not just giving these guys a fun little toy. We are giving them a tool to help them regain bit of their confidence, self-respect, and independence. That's truly priceless, worth far more than merely the cost of a laptop. Because through the magic of a voice-activated laptop, your dollars become salve for a wounded warrior's spirit. Dig deep.
Besides, as CPT Z points out, it's tax-deductible.
P.S. CPT Z will be returning to Walter Reed at the end of this month for more surgery and a 6-week stay. He's really not looking forward to the surgery and hospital time, which means another long stretch of separation from his kids. Additionally, he's in in the process of being officially replaced as Company Commander and will be without an official position in the Army for the next few months. So, drop by his blog and let him know how much you appreciate his courageous service, and that you'll be cheering him on through this difficult time.
Linked in Mudville Gazette's Open Post and Stop the ACLU's Trackback Party
Cross-posted at Valour-IT Blog.
