NOD News
Veteran Shares His Story with NPR Affiliate
COMMERCE, TX, August 14, 2010 — The story of Jim Batchelor, a veteran in NOD’s Wounded Warrior Careers program, was featured this week on “The Lead,” a radio news show in northeast Texas. Jim—who told his story on Capitol Hill in July—talks about how NOD helped him in his journey toward recovery.
Jim’s injury, sustained in combat in Iraq, caused him to react to bright sunlight, rendering him unable to drive during the day. NOD Career Specialist Mark Ketcham helped Jim get into school and back on a career path, including tinting the windows of his vehicle so that he could drive again. “[NOD] stepped in and bought my books... They put propane in my propane tank at home,” says Jim. “I honestly don’t know what I’d do if it wasn’t for NOD and the AW2.”
Batchelor’s visit to Washington included an invitation to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act at the White House. “It was just a really powerful moment to… look out and see all these people who banded together to get this bill passed in the first place 20 years ago. I was deeply honored to be there.”
