Polytrauma - coming soon to a vocabulary near you...

[Coexist]

http://www.polytrauma.va.gov/

Polytrauma care is for veterans and returning service members with injuries to more than one physical region or organ system, one of which may be life threatening, and which results in physical, cognitive, psychological, or psychosocial impairments and functional disability. Some examples of Polytrauma include:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Hearing Loss
Amputations
Fractures
Burns
Visual Impairment

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1274

(2) Polytrauma. For the purposes of this Directive, polytrauma is defined as injury to
brain in addition to other body parts or systems resulting in physical, cognitive, psychological,
psychosocial impairments and functional disability. Injury to the brain is the impairment,
guides the course of the rehabilitation. TBI frequently occurs in polytrauma and in combination with other disabling conditions such as amputation, auditory and visual impairments, spinal
injury (SCI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions.

I wonder - since this isn't referencing body bags, but those who escaped them with severe, life-changing injuries, do you suppose Mrs. Bush cares that our generation will use this tragic word with familiarity?

"Why should we hear about body bags and deaths? Oh, I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?" Barbara Bush

[Lithos]

1. At least it's being recognized medically by the government

Wasn't terribly long ago that PSTD was considered a figment of the imagination.

As for Bush, we'll, I think it's been proven long ago his version of compassion is self-serving and, well, lacking in compassion.

L-

[Coexist]

2. a contractor I know is bidding on new facilities specifically for polytrauma

We will need lots more for these poor kids.

[Lithos]

3. Totally agree

Sad thing is that the Bush has been cutting VA spending, not increasing it.

L-