Injured soldier encourages others
TAMPA (Bay News 9) -- An injured soldier came to the Bay area Saturday to speak about a program that helps wounded soldiers adjust to a new way of life.
Sgt. 1st Class Rich Robertson traveled from the Carolinas to speak at MOSI for Disability Awareness Day. (See video here)
Robertson was injured three years ago by a mine in the Iraqi desert. He can't feel anything from his chest down.
"Yeah, I've lost a lot, but lots of other people lost a whole lot more in Iraq and Afghanistan," Robertson said. "I figured I gave about 80 percent, there are guys that gave 100 percent, so my sacrifice is very small."
His outlook earned him a spot as a mentor for VetConnect, an Enable America program that gives wounded soldiers a push in the right direction.
"Each person is going to have their own path to travel. I want to say, 'Hey, this is the way I did it.' And I don't claim to know what they are going through," Robertson said. "Each person handles their own injury differently."
Robertson said he still does as much as he used to; it just takes him more time.
"I think everything through twice, three times and work out four or five different courses of action; well, what if I fell out of my chair reaching for this," he said. "Something as simple as traveling, I have to think, re-think and plan."
Robertson's injuries didn't shy him away from the military. He's still on active duty at Fort Bragg where he coordinates training.
Robertson says one of the toughest things to do when wounded soldiers come back home is fill out military paperwork, which is another thing VetConnect mentors help with.
Source: Bay News 9
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