An Interview with Michael Jernigan: A Veteran Survives in College

3.3.10 - Michael F. Shaughnessy - I was wounded in Mahmudiyah, Iraq. I was in the machine gun turret of a Hum-Vee. We were struck by a roadside bomb (I.E.D.) on 22 August of 2004. I was thrown 20 meters from the vehicle and had 45% of my cranium crushed in

An Interview with Michael Jernigan: A Veteran Survives in College

Michael F. Shaughnessy
Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, New Mexico

1)        Michael, first of all, let me thank you on behalf of myself and the staff for your service to this country and your fellow citizens. Could you briefly tell us a bit about what happened to you in Iraq? 

I was wounded in Mahmudiyah, Iraq.  I was in the machine gun turret of a Hum-Vee.  We were struck by a roadside bomb (I.E.D.) on 22 August of 2004.  I was thrown 20 meters from the vehicle and had 45% of my cranium crushed in.  My entire forehead has been replaced with an acrylic plate.  I had to have both of my eyes removed.  My right hand had to be fully reconstructed and I maintain limited use of it today.  I also suffered severe damage to my left knee.

2)        How has your recovery been? 

My recovery has gone very well.  I had 30 major surgeries in the first 12 months.  I spent 16 months in different hospitals and rehab facilities.  I was in and out of Bethesda’s National Naval Medical Center until I was medically retired on 29 December of 2005.  I was also at the Poly Trauma Unit at James A. Haley VAMC for my traumatic brain injury; then I spent four months in Augusta Georgia’s VAMC for Blind Rehab. 

The Navy (they provide medical care for the Marine Corps) and the VA did an excellent job of helping me recover while I was on active duty.  They could not have done a better job in my mind.  My family and I were always taken very good care of by the Navy and the Marine Corps Liason office made sure that we had everything we needed.  They even gave me some winter clothing when the weather got cold in Bethesda. 

I have been receiving my primary care in the VA system since I have gotten off of active duty.  I have had two surgeries since then.  I tore my rotator cuff in 2006 and had my surgery at Bay Pines VAMC in St. Petersburg Florida (my hometown).  The surgery was a day surgery and went very well.  I also had a reconstructive surgery on my left eye socket at the West L.A. VAMC.  They flew me out there to see their surgeons.  Unfortunately, the surgery did not work.  I had already had 5 surgeries trying to fix the same problem.  There was just too much damage in the first place.  Overall, my health care at the VA has been very good.  I have not had any more problems than anyone receiving healthcare in the civilian system would have and possibly less than the civilian healthcare system.

3)      What are you currently doing? 

I am currently enrolled at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg studying for a Political Science degree.  Other than that, it is life as usual.  My wife Leslie and I go to school together.  We have one class together this semester but will not have many more.  We are in two different programs.

4)      Do you feel the vast majority of people understand head injury and brain trauma?
 
No.  The brain is very complicated and each individual’s trauma is specific to them.  We all do not react the same.  Some of the reactions are similar but not identical.

5)      What are the main problems that you face daily? 

I have difficulty accepting my blindness.  I have learned a lot about how to adapt to being blind.  There is a sense of losing some level of independence.  I have transportation difficulties.  When I want to go somewhere I have to rely on someone else to take me, whether it be a family member or public transportation.  Either one usually requires some level of planning. 

6)      How are you doing in college and are they making accommodations and modifications for you? 

I first went back to school at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria Virginia for one year and got a 3.85 gpa.  I transferred to Georgetown University for another year and got a 3.32 gpa.  We then decided to move back to St. Petersburg Florida and simplify our lives.  In my first semester at the University of South Florida St. Pete I received a 4.0 gpa.  Take into consideration that I am only a part-time student.

In terms of modifications, I have been using audio textbooks from Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (www.rfbd.org). They are a crucial resource, and I could not get through school without them.

7)      What are you studying? 

Political Science

8)      How are you helping other survivors? 

Survivor is a general term, I prefer the term Veteran.  I am a spokesperson for Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc. (www.guidedogs.org) Paws For Patriots program.  We provide priority placement for veterans that have been visually impaired in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  I am a board member of the Blinded American Veteran’s Foundation.  I also try and help other organizations like Recording For the Blind and Dyslexic when time permits.  I was in a HBO documentary on disabled veterans that have returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom called Alive Day: Back From Iraq.  I have also been participating in a New York Times Blog called Home Fires off and on since 2007.