Navy News Stand
7/20/02 (Link)
Hollywood Visits Naval Medical Center San Diego
Story number: NNS020722-09
Release date: 7/20/2002 8:00:00 AM
By Journalist 2nd Class Terrina Weatherspoon and Claire Foster, Naval Medical Center San Diego
When we last saw our intrepid hero, Lt. Bud Roberts, Judge Advocate General Corps, of the television series "JAG," he had just lost his leg to a landmine. How will he be able to cope not only with the loss of his leg and a completely different life as an amputee? And is "Bud" gone from the series for good?
Interested in an accurate representation of Navy medical procedures, a team of JAG writers came to Naval Medical Center San Diego recently to investigate the possibilities for Bud's recovery and rehabilitation.
Series senior writer Steve Smith focused mainly on making sure that decisions they wanted to make for the character wouldn’t compromise the show’s credibility. Later in the show, the character will return home to a house his wife bought without him and will face a number of physical challenges presented by the new house.
Cmdr. Gregg Ziemke, Medical Service Corps, San Diego's physical/occupational therapy department head spent time with the writers talking about the healing time of an amputee and the normal activity progression.
He took the team on a tour of the physical therapy facilities, showing the different pieces of equipment, such as exercise balls, treadmills and stationary bicycles and model staircases. Ziemke also demonstrated how an amputee’s gait would change as he or she became accustomed to their prosthetic.
The writers also wanted to know how the amputation may affect Roberts mentally, and how it may affect the relationship with his wife and three-year-old son. Capt. Michael Bailey, Medical Corps, a psychiatrist, and psychologist, Capt. Freda Vaughan, Medical Service Corps, were on hand to answer questions relating to the potential mental health issues of the patient.
Of particular interest were questions relating to depression, phantom limb pain and the therapeutic value of returning to productive work.
Cmdr. Lynn McNees, Judge Advocate General Corps, San Diego's legal officer, also answered questions regarding how an active duty amputee might be placed on Limited Duty status and how Bud might reintegrate into office routine.
The writers also met with Marine Cpl. Stephen Sullivan.
Sullivan, the victim of a January helicopter crash, sustained injuries similar to Roberts. However, Navy Medicine was able to save Sullivan’s leg and he will be able to regain most of its strength and mobility. Sullivan gave a personal narrative about the long road back to personal well-being.
“I’m not even sure if we are asking the right questions,” said writer Phil DeGuere. “But it’s not even about the questions. It’s more about being in the presence of real Sailors and Marines and seeing it from their eyes. It’s truly a great experience.”
JAG’s next season will have a significant focus on Navy Medicine and will likely include more site visits to Naval Medical Center San Diego for more information on Bud's rehabilitation and whether his injury will force the end to his naval career.
For more information on Naval Medical Center San Diego, go to www-nmcsd.med.navy.mil. For more Navy Medicine news, visit their NewsStand account at www.news.navy.mil/mednews.
