Women in War: How Major Tammy Duckworth Lost Her Legs and What She Says Is Wrong with the War in Iraq
ber 2004, Duckworth was flying a Black Hawk helicopter that was shot by a rocket-propelled grenade. The shot went through the aircraft and through her legs. After losing half the blood in her body she was taken to Walter Reed Hospital for treatment. After months of rehabilitation and surgeries, she now wears prosthetic legs and is able to walk and serve in the reserves.ber 2004, Duckworth was flying a Black Hawk helicopter that was shot by a rocket-propelled grenade. The shot went through the aircraft and through her legs. After losing half the blood in her body she was taken to Walter Reed Hospital for treatment. After months of rehabilitation and surgeries, she now wears prosthetic legs and is able to walk and serve in the reserves.SM: What was it like waking up in the hospital after your helicopter was shot?
Tammy Duckworth: The initial reaction was confusion and then the doctors and nurses kept using the words “helicopter crash.” To a pilot, “crash” is not a good word. My last memory is of us landing the helicopter and me reaching up trying to shut off the engines after we were on the ground. So when I’m laying there and I’ve been told that I have lost my legs and the doctors and nurses kept saying I was in a “helicopt
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| fun_in_the_sun | |
| I think we have to listen to what Tammy said about the troops not having freedom of speech to speak out against the war. One of my friends is in Iraq and he agrees that we just need to get out of there. We need to start listening to the soldiers themselves who have seen everything first hand, because only they can tell us the truth about the situation. | |
| asya | |
| what i appreciate most about this interview is that it's not sensationalist like many people out there. tammy does not simply bash on the administration but intellectually defines the problem and what we can do to alleviate the situation. | |
| LILA -- Los Angeles | |
| Tammy--thank you so much for shedding light on the military experience. While I respect the fact that the troops put their lives on the line for their country, with this war (that I don't agree with), it's been rather hard to not think of the troops as being "brainwashed." Now I feel like I can't really say that anymore thanks to your story and explanation of what it's like and what it means to be a U.S. soldier. Thank you. | |
| blackie | |
| Tammy, if you happen to read this, don't be so sure that you CAN'T wear those aforementioned summer dresses and wedge heels. I saw a girl on the news recently wearing SHORT SHORTS--damn near hot pants and SHE had lost a leg at 10. They're called LISA legs--just the thing for a night out on the town, when you don't want to be wheeled around or wear the "industrial" legs. Check 'em out IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY--they, fit HIGH, too. I THINK they're made by a firm called FDR orthotics. | |
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