Program:
Healing Heroes
- Budget:
-
--
- Category:
-
Health Care
- Population Served:
-
Military/Veterans
Program Description:
Through a nationwide network of medical professionals, Healing Heroes Network provides medical treatments to wounded veterans injured in the line of duty on or after 9/11/01. Medical treatments include, but are not limited to: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Chiropractic Therapy, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and much more. Wounded veterans provide HHN information on his/her injury, and HHN refers them to a provider near them. The provider then treats the veteran at no cost.
Program Long-Term Success:
Program Short-Term Success:
Program Success Monitored by:
Program Success Examples:
Like many before him, Sergeant Joshua Cooley USMC felt called to duty after 9/11. He was running patrol just north of Baghdad back in 2005 when his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb. Trying to escape the flames, crewmembers cleared away from the vehicle, not realizing Josh was still inside. Bravely, they went back, rescuing Josh before it was too late.
While he was alive, this third-generation marine was severely injured. The bomb sent shrapnel directly through his brain. While he was rushed to Germany for treatment, doctors never expected him to make it home.
Amazingly, this marine survived, but not without lasting injuries. Josh underwent multiple operations, including one that removed part of his skull to relieve pressure from his brain. Just one week later, a doctor removed a piece of shrapnel the size of a credit card from Josh’s brain.
Josh and his family have been across the country trying to get him the best possible treatments. From the Bethesda Naval Hospital, to the Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation in California, Josh and his family have pretty much seen it all. But they hadn’t yet experienced every possible avenue for treatment.
After hearing about a treatment called Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), the Cooley family wanted to try it out. But VA insurance doesn’t cover the cost of HBOT.
Thankfully, that’s a hurdle the family easily jumped over.
Now, they’re a part of HHN, under the care of Dr. Allan Spiegel.
After just one visit, Josh’s mother Christine said she was overwhelmed by the personal service they received. She told HHN the VA simply has not provided them with the one-on-one care that her son so desperately needs.
Since his injury, Josh continues to make progress. And after only a handful of HBOT treatments, the Cooleys say Josh’s progress is easily recognized.
“Josh and I have noticed daily improvements after only eight HBOT sessions”, said Christine, “His voice is louder, sentences better paced, and his left side is stronger. He started taking steps on his own in December (2009), but now, I’m seeing his initiation, balance and coordination all improve at a quicker pace."
And for this marine who beat the odds, there is no end in sight to how far he will go. In fact, because of Josh’s determination and improvement, the Marine Corps has assured him private treatment.
And with an HHN provider on his side, his road to recovery is sure to be a little smoother.