Exit Wounds-American Pain Foundation
Chronic pain is something that a lot of returning Veterans and their families know a lot about. Those who have combat related injuries often have chronic pain, and sometimes just the daily grind in a war zone can cause injuries that can also have a lasting, negative impact on a Veteran’s quality of life. This, of course, also deeply impacts the family members in that Veteran’s family.
Chronic and acute pain is a family matter. It affects the patient first and foremost, but the suffering extends to those who love him/her. They feel it through an empathy response and they often stand by feeling helpless.
The McGinnis family knows what pain is, and they have fought to come to a better place in the lifelong struggles of being a combat amputee family. Derek McGinnis has written a book called “Exit Wounds” where he recalls his struggle for life after being wounded in Fallujah and his struggle for peace when he came back home.
Derek writes on the Exit Wounds site:
Invisible Injuries
“Pain ripples through all parts of your life and the lives of those around you….Although these wounds cannot be seen, like a scar or a lost limb, they can be as painful and disabling as any mortar wound or shrapnel injury.” — Derek McGinnis, Exit Wounds
“Exit Wounds: A Survival Guide to Pain Management for Returning Veterans and Their Families” is the title of McGinnis’ book. There is also a special section on the American Pain Foundation’s website dedicated to reaching out to military veterans and it too is called Exit Wounds.
The site has resources for both Veterans and those who love them! Please take time to visit the site today and share the information with those around you.
