Purple Heart recipient 1st Lt. U.S. Army Bobby Woods was almost 25 when he sustained a significant head injury during an ambush in August 2010 while on foot patrol with the 101st Airborne Division near Kandahar, Afghanistan.
After being wounded, he was able to bandage his own head, continue fighting and then call for a medical evacuation before turning over his platoon to a sergeant.
The Rising Fawn, Ga. native will give a firsthand account of his trials during a Chattanooga Area Brain Injury Association fundraiser at the Mill March 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Through proceeds from the fundraiser, CABIA service coordinator Danielle Hooper said her organization can provide support groups and field trips for those with brain injuries in Cleveland, Chattanooga and North Georgia. Some proceeds will also go to purchase bicycle helmets to give to children in local schools to prevent head injuries.
"Bobby will have a good outcome," said Hooper. "He may not be the same again, but he does not have to go through it alone. A lot of soldiers end up with traumatic brain injuries. I'm in awe of what they have to go through."
Hopper said it is estimated that 300-400 military men and women will come back to Chattanooga from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom with a traumatic brain injury.
"We do the fundraiser every year to bring brain injury awareness to our area," she said.