by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Every day, military personnel return home from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and many are permanently disabled. Caring for the wounded warriors and helping them adapt to life back home has become a science, and one of its practitioners was the guest speaker at Monday’s meeting of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville.
William Mann, Ph.D., is an occupational therapist and distinguished professor at the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Florida’s College of Public Health and Health Professions. He’s also director of UF’s Ph.D. program in rehabilitation science and director of the UF Center for Telehealth and Healthcare Communications.
His topic was the university’s Florida Trauma Rehabilitation Center for Returning Military Personnel. It’s in Gainesville and works closely with the Veterans Administration Hospital to develop therapies for soldiers, sailors and airmen who have returned from the Middle East with permanent service-related disabilities.
He said the wars in the Middle East have become “white noise” and the impact that disabilities are having on returning military personnel has become a national issue.
“The University of Florida has faculty involved with projects funded by the Veterans Administration,” said Mann. “Our goal is to advance knowledge to minimize the impact of disabilities and promote maximum participation of returning disabled veterans with family and community. What we learn through our research is translated into practice at Veterans Administration and military hospitals.”
One program uses a computer-controlled simulator to change driving behaviors of returning service personnel. Those with physical injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder have to be retrained to operate motor vehicles safely.
“In Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers are trained to drive in the middle of the road to avoid roadside bombs, and that can be a problem when they get home. There is a high rate of vehicle accidents among returning personnel,” said Mann.
Another area of research that is showing promising results, Mann added, is treatment of hearing loss from exposure to explosions, gunfire and other loud noises. He said a study has determined that such hearing loss is caused by free radicals, and treating personnel with magnesium and over-the-counter antioxidants has been shown to prevent hearing damage and in some cases, actually heal damaged eardrums.
Mann also said the technologies being developed at UF have applications among the aging population and for people diagnosed with neuromuscular disorders, brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.
“We would all hope that one day there won’t be wars, but even if war were eliminated, we would still have to rehabilitate injury and disease,” said Mann.
The club also heard a report from 2011-2012 President-elect Howard Dale concerning members’ support of Haiti earthquake relief efforts. He said in the last two months, club members have donated more than $30,000, which has been used to fund “Shelter Boxes,” packages containing a tent, cooking utensils and other supplies that provide a place to live and basic necessities for 10 earthquake victims.
“Through our generosity, we have provided temporary shelter for 300 earthquake victims,” said Dale. “Empathy is alive and well in this club.”
356-2466