Returning Veterans Need You, 2009 Graduating Class Told
“Too often, our society fails to understand that losing a leg, suffering a brain injury, or dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder does not mean life has to end,” the Honorable Tammy L. Duckworth told graduates at The Chicago School’s June 12 Commencement. “That’s where the incredible work that you do comes into play.”
As the newly appointed U.S. assistant secretary of veterans affairs, Duckworth addressed the Class of 2009 after receiving an honorary Doctor of Psychology degree.
By 2010, the number of wounded veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts will exceed 419,000, a 61 percent increase over 2008, she told the audience of more than 3,000 graduates and guests that filled the Civic Opera House in downtown Chicago.
“With 6.1 million veteran patients in our country, there is a critical need for mental health services for them,” Duckworth said. She challenged the newly minted psychology professionals to offer the “fragile thread of hope” that could make the pivotal difference in their recovery. “When I reached the bottoming out point in my own recovery, it was a health professional who offered me that fragile thread of hope,” she said.
As a captain in the Illinois National Guard flying combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Duckworth sustained grave injuries when her helicopter was struck by a rocketpropelled grenade, resulting in the loss of both of her legs and partial use of one arm. Her arduous recovery culminated in her becoming a voice of veterans throughout the country. She served as director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs until her nomination by President Obama—and her subsequent confirmation by the U.S. Senate—as assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Her work heralds initiatives underway at The Chicago School to address the critical shortage of mental health services for returning veterans.
This year’s graduating class marked the largest one yet, with 394 receiving doctoral, master’s and education specialist diplomas. The first class of 25 School Psychology graduates and the first 31 graduates from the Online Campus were among those who participated.
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A timely article,
I too suffered a head injury and PTSD. By writing this I am breaking my own silence about a struggle that is perceived by many as nearly hopeless. A head injury and PTSD is unfortunately still considered ‘the kiss of death’ in many counseling offices and clinics but this doesn’t have to be a self fulfilling prophecy and as Duckworth states, “post-traumatic stress disorder does not mean life has to end.”
It was a long journey back for me yet I made it with the help of a few special people who were willing to reach out and help me up. The important message is that without those willing to explore and investigate solutions, and by those I mean you students and professionals @ TCS, it is likely that some of our people will never completely come home.
Before my injury I had several offers for jobs with engineering companies as well as good math scholarships. But once I was injured, and I couldn’t even remember my own phone number all those offers dried up. I felt as though I was kicked to the curb by society and health professionals who didn’t have the experience in dealing with these complex cases.
Like Tammy Duckworth I too made it and am thankful for those few professionals, early on, who persevered by cooperatively and working with neurology, psychoanalysts and other resources. I am here today at TCS, after my Bachelor of Science in psychology, studying for my Masters in Industrial Organizational Psychology and hoping to use that knowledge to make difference.
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