On Feb. 16, I found someone who can be healing balm for our strife-sickened society.
On this day, East Carolina University baseball player Parker Byrd became the first collegiate baseball player to take an at-bat on a prosthetic limb. He lost a leg in boating accident. He almost died. His doctors said he had a 1% chance to live. He made it. He's a survivor. When he bore his weight on that prosthetic limb, he bore the weight of so many wounded troops. He had the courage to return from the abyss. For the isolated veteran with a prosthetic limb, Parker became their talisman.
I then had an idea: Why isn't this warrior teaching his own version of "combat resiliency" to our military, veteran and law enforcement community? Suicide is devastating the ranks of all three communities. We have hardworking health care professionals doing noble work. But the status quo isn't working. We have to start thinking outside of the box when it comes to suicide prevention. I've lost too many battle buddies to suicide. I'm fighting back.
With the blessing of the Byrd family, a group of former Army Scouts have launched a national "Enlist Parker" campaign. We are grassroot volunteers. We gain nothing. We only want to reduce suicide in the ranks. But I have a specific goal: getting Parker out to Oregon first, including Clackamas County.
Both the governor and Oregon's adjutant general have been notified. We won't be happy if West Point beats Oregon. I would like him to meet with veterans and law enforcement in Clackamas County. Athletes overcoming adversity is a powerful motivational force to these communities. We can relate to Parker's story. My friends with prosthetics can relate to the phantom limb syndrome and the daily obstacles that come with prosthetic limbs. Wounded veterans tend to ignore shrinks, chaplains and social workers. Give us a Parker Byrd — someone who was crushed to earth, but rose again. This is who we wish to emulate: someone who has walked through the darkness and emerged into the light.
In order to make the "Enlist Parker" movement happen in Clackamas County, we need help. We need people to write or call our county commissioners, veterans service officer, sheriff, governor, adjutant general and medical director of the Portland Veterans Administration. Whether you are Republican, Democrat, Socialist or Tory, you can get behind this crusade. If you've ever wondered how to help veterans and law enforcement in Clackamas County, this is the place to start. There is that saying, "think globally, act locally." There are plenty of people who are working the global angle, but we need local initiative. If healing only occurs in community, it's time we start binding those wounds of division and acrimony. And it starts with bringing Parker Byrd to Clackamas County.
As Jeff Byrd, the father of Parker told me, when hearing of the initiative: "Parker was put on this Earth for a reason. Now let's get moving and save lives." Amen, brother. Now let's roll.
Brian Fitzgerald is a Happy Valley resident.
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