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Trauma in Iraq -- A True Story of Romance, Resilience and Survival
ABC News Correspondent Bob Woodruff shares the details of the brainstem injury he sustained while on assignment in Iraq. Along with his wife Lee, who remained by his side throughout, he describes his remarkable recovery process, explaining how this traumatic event has helped transform and define their marriage and family. Woodruff had just been crowned new co-anchor of ABC "World News Tonight "when on January 29, 2006, while reporting on U.S. and Iraqi security forces, he was seriously injured by a roadside bomb that struck his vehicle near Taji, Iraq. During his slow year long recovery, Woodruff pledged to help shed light on this often hidden and misdiagnosed "traumatic brain injury" (TBI), and resolved to make something good result from his experience.
Woodruff recently returned to television, producing an hour-long ABC NEWS documentary, "To Iraq and Back: Bob Woodruff Reports," to raise awareness about the difficulty brain injured veterans encounter trying to access treatment. Throughout the month of March Woodruff will also file a series of reports for "ABC's World News Tonight," "Good Morning America" and "Nightline" covering various aspects of brain injury. As result of this work, the nation is turning its attention to ameliorating conditions at Veterans Hospitals. He and his family have also established the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury to raise money to help those suffering from TBI to receive the best care possible.
Initially a lawyer, Woodruff has been a newsman since he was hired as an on-screen interpreter during Tiananmen Square. Lee Woodruff is a public relations executive, freelance writer, and editor for Family Fun Magazine.
This program was recorded live on March 27, 2007.
