How a Minor Injury Led Me to Being a Disabled Veteran

Being in the Army was one of the best experiences of my life. I was able to grow from a teenager into an adult almost instantly. Being able to overcome the rigorous tasks the Army demanded of me were the best moments of my life. Just a year and a half after enlisting, I had a promising future ahead of me. I rose through the ranks and earned the respect of my fellow comrades. My career in the Army was looking bright until one day, when my future as a soldier would be questioned.

I remember the exact day it happened. It was December 17, 2002. I had just completed a 12 mile road march with a 40 pound rucksack on my back. I was looking forward to relaxing and having a great Christmas break, when I was hit with excruciating pain in my lower back. I knew if I seriously injured my back, I would no longer be able to serve my country.

After about two weeks of enduring excruciating pain and sleepless nights, I decided I needed to visit my doctor. I thought it would be nothing, but during the appointment, my doctor realized I was having terrible spasms in my lower back and sent me to have X-rays. At this point, I had a feeling my career as a soldier was in jeopardy. My doctor prescribed some muscle relaxers and gave me a temporary profile until he could determine what was wrong with my back. Later that day, I received a phone call and was told I had abnormal disc spacing and would need an MRI.

At the same time I was receiving this information on my condition; my unit was preparing for a deployment to Iraq. I was hopeful that I would be able to join my fellow soldiers in combat and would want nothing more than to be told my back pain was minor. Unfortunately, the MRI revealed some not so good news for me. I was told they found I had multiple problems in my back. I had a condition known as Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), osteophytes in my back, and mild scoliosis. All of these problems with my back and yet I was only 20 years old. I was devastated.

Following my MRI, my doctor needed me to have a consult with a neurosurgeon. I went down to San Antonio, TX and there I learned my fate. I was told my back was in such a horrible condition, I would have to be released from the Army. At this time, my unit was leaving in two weeks and I had to tell my soldiers beneath me that I would not be able to accompany them and would not be meeting with them in theatre. This had to have been one of the hardest moments of my life. I was 20 years old and was being labeled a Disabled Veteran.

Being labeled a disabled veteran came with a negative connotation. I always imagined disabled veterans as those who lost limbs or were severely wounded in combat. I had never been to combat and I had no severe wounds from my time on active duty. I felt, and still feel, I am not deserving of the title of disabled veteran because I can still do the things I did before my injury, but I just cannot serve my country.

Even though I do not like to consider myself a disabled veteran, I have found it has given me a new outlook on life. While I still have full functionality of my body, I know there was a reason for my injury, which resulted with my being labeled a disabled veteran. I believe there are individuals who gave more to their country than I have, that I am not worthy of the title. Being labeled a disabled veteran has enabled me to become more compassionate to those who have been wounded by combat and they will always have a place in my heart.