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I am a military Police Sergeant First Class. I have been in the Army for 10 years, and I have held every duty position that an enlisted Military Police officer can hold, up until company First Sergeant. I have been stationed in North Carolina, Korea, Missouri and Iraq. The day I was injured, I was out on a patrol and passed an IED (a roadside bomb) that exploded next to my side of the vehicle, and a piece of shrapnel went through my door and took almost all of my right leg off instantaneously.
After being heroically saved by a squad member, I lost my pulse in the small medical clinic that was the nearest facility to our location. It was almost 18 minutes from the time I was hit before we reached the medical clinic. In that time I lost enough blood through my femoral artery to be considered clinically dead. They resuscitated me once there, then a second time on the way to the larger hospital in the green zone on the Blackhawk. The medics were still in the process of resuscitating me when we landed.
Looking back, there were two times when I didn't see how I would make it through moments in my recovery. The first time was when I came to the realization that I had a traumatic brain injury from lack of blood to my brain, and the only way to overcome my disability was to be trained to make my brain comprehend normally. The second time was when I understood how hard it was to re-learn to walk after losing my leg, and that I needed to take a break until further notice (2 years).
I am an optimist to my core, and I can't dwell on the negative consequences of my injury; I would never make it out of bed if I did. Being involved in sports is relatively new to me. My entire life I have never had any interest in sports, but after participating in them intensely after I was hurt, I became very interested in setting goals that involve sports. Through all of this I have realized that my life mission is to inspire others to become better people, better members of society, and better women.
There was a long time that I was bitter, not only at the people who wanted to hurt me but at myself. I thought maybe it was because I'm a woman, or because I was a terrible squad leader, because I wasn't looking out for my soldiers. It took me a long time to realize it was just bad luck. I could be mad at somebody, but why? How is that going to help me, or help anyone become a better person? That's my mission in life now, I guess, to help people.
This article is part of a DailyStrength series celebrating Fourth of July week, and recognizing and honoring veterans and their efforts to serve and protect. Read more stories including first-hand accounts from veterans themselves, tips for a great holiday, and more resources for veterans.
After being heroically saved by a squad member, I lost my pulse in the small medical clinic that was the nearest facility to our location. It was almost 18 minutes from the time I was hit before we reached the medical clinic. In that time I lost enough blood through my femoral artery to be considered clinically dead. They resuscitated me once there, then a second time on the way to the larger hospital in the green zone on the Blackhawk. The medics were still in the process of resuscitating me when we landed.
Looking back, there were two times when I didn't see how I would make it through moments in my recovery. The first time was when I came to the realization that I had a traumatic brain injury from lack of blood to my brain, and the only way to overcome my disability was to be trained to make my brain comprehend normally. The second time was when I understood how hard it was to re-learn to walk after losing my leg, and that I needed to take a break until further notice (2 years).
I am an optimist to my core, and I can't dwell on the negative consequences of my injury; I would never make it out of bed if I did. Being involved in sports is relatively new to me. My entire life I have never had any interest in sports, but after participating in them intensely after I was hurt, I became very interested in setting goals that involve sports. Through all of this I have realized that my life mission is to inspire others to become better people, better members of society, and better women.
There was a long time that I was bitter, not only at the people who wanted to hurt me but at myself. I thought maybe it was because I'm a woman, or because I was a terrible squad leader, because I wasn't looking out for my soldiers. It took me a long time to realize it was just bad luck. I could be mad at somebody, but why? How is that going to help me, or help anyone become a better person? That's my mission in life now, I guess, to help people.
This article is part of a DailyStrength series celebrating Fourth of July week, and recognizing and honoring veterans and their efforts to serve and protect. Read more stories including first-hand accounts from veterans themselves, tips for a great holiday, and more resources for veterans.
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Agoraphobia & Social Anxiety
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Alcoholism
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Amputees
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Aneurysms
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Anxiety Disorders in Children
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Avian Flu
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Agoraphobia & Social Anxiety
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Alcoholism
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(26,184 Discussion Topics)
Amputees
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(974 Discussion Topics)
Aneurysms
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(370 Discussion Topics)
Anger Management
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(2,190 Discussion Topics)
Ankylosing Spondylitis
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(253 Discussion Topics)
Anxiety
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(25,891 Discussion Topics)
Anxiety Disorders in Children
(237 Discussion Topics)
(237 Discussion Topics)
Avian Flu
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(7 Discussion Topics)
Bladder Cancer
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(75 Discussion Topics)
Bone Cancer
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(61 Discussion Topics)
Brain Injury
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Breast Cancer
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Career Changes
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Cervical Cancer
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DailyStrength Members Community
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Depression
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Depression - Teen
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Depression in Children
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(69 Discussion Topics)
Depression Supporters
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Diets & Weight Maintenance
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Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
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(293 Discussion Topics)
Esophageal Cancer
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(516 Discussion Topics)
Euthanasia
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(31 Discussion Topics)
Eye Cancers (Retinoblastomas)
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(7 Discussion Topics)
Families & Friends of Gays & Lesbians
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(192 Discussion Topics)
Families of Prisoners
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(4,702 Discussion Topics)
Family & Friends of Cancer Patients
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(574 Discussion Topics)
Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva
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(3 Discussion Topics)
Financial Challenges
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(2,119 Discussion Topics)
Fructose Intolerance
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(37 Discussion Topics)
Gastric Cancer
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(56 Discussion Topics)
Gay & Lesbian Teens
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(3,634 Discussion Topics)
Grandparents Raising Children
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(2,756 Discussion Topics)
Hand & Foot Abnormalities
(23 Discussion Topics)
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Head and Neck cancers
(85 Discussion Topics)
(85 Discussion Topics)
Health Insurance
(17 Discussion Topics)
(17 Discussion Topics)
Inhalant Abuse & Recovery
(37 Discussion Topics)
(37 Discussion Topics)
Kids With Cancer
(8 Discussion Topics)
(8 Discussion Topics)
Kleptomania
(146 Discussion Topics)
(146 Discussion Topics)
Lactose Intolerance
(157 Discussion Topics)
(157 Discussion Topics)
Langer-Giedion Syndrome
(0 Discussion Topics)
(0 Discussion Topics)
Lesbian Relationship Challenges
(2,990 Discussion Topics)
(2,990 Discussion Topics)
Liver Cancer
(190 Discussion Topics)
(190 Discussion Topics)
Long Distance Relationships (LDR)
(636 Discussion Topics)
(636 Discussion Topics)
Lung Cancer
(488 Discussion Topics)
(488 Discussion Topics)
Male Breast Cancer
(5 Discussion Topics)
(5 Discussion Topics)
Marfan Syndrome
(37 Discussion Topics)
(37 Discussion Topics)
Marijuana Addiction & Recovery
(1,349 Discussion Topics)
(1,349 Discussion Topics)
Medical Research and Clinical Trials
(128 Discussion Topics)
(128 Discussion Topics)
Military Families
(1,309 Discussion Topics)
(1,309 Discussion Topics)
Muscular Dystrophies
(82 Discussion Topics)
(82 Discussion Topics)
Paralysis
(44 Discussion Topics)
(44 Discussion Topics)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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(9,539 Discussion Topics)
Separation Anxiety
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(175 Discussion Topics)
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(1,309 Discussion Topics)
Veterans
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War & Terrorism
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War in Iraq
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(625 Discussion Topics)
Since 2006, I have been through a lot of changes. I went through a divorce, retired from the Army, battled depression and PTSD, and have started my own business. During my rehabilitation in 2007, I had a therapist tell me I should take up a hobby to work on my fine motor skills. So, I picked up a pair of pliers, and started making jewelry. Today, I run a small business that focuses on making unique, one-of-a kind pieces. My mission statement is "To inspire and bring happiness to those who are suffering from a negative self-image as a result of physical or emotional injury. To create colorful and creative designs that enhance natural beauty and celebrate the female spirit." To find out more about me, or my business, please visit:
www.TaraHutchJewelryBlog.com
www.TaraHutchJewelry.etsy.com
Thank you again for the wonderful comments!
Tara Hutchinson
Your words put me in awe of you. I have been disabled and suffering untold hundreds of symptoms and pain for 16 years. I have had 14 severe viruses that keep knocking me back down into oblivion. I have Fibromyalgia, Autonomic Nervous System Disorder and Raynaud's Disease. I have word search problems and have lost the ability to do math in my head. I was near death twice. Most recently due to an undiagnosed septic UTI. I had to learn to walk all over again, too. I'm sure my problems are much less than yours, but you are so strong and determined. I feel so weak and defeated much of the time. I have no family support system and have lost most of my friends because I can't run with the pack. Being alone makes you feel sorry for yourself when you see other people with families who support them. Your determination is something I hope to shoot for. Thanks for sharing your story.
Mizroze