By Alan Morales, WTC Stratcom

SFC Karl E. Pasco and his wife Joy at the Walter Reed Malogne House in Washington, DC.

“I was like a piece of equipment needing some repairs,” these were the words spoken to me by SFC Karl E. Pasco while we sat with his wife Joy on the patio of the Mologne House at Walter Reed in Washington, DC. Developing a vivid image in my mind, I realized that this image is one that many wounded Soldiers and Veterans compare themselves to while undergoing treatment stateside. For Pasco, it’s the way he has seen himself over the years as he completed, and still completes, several surgeries and treatments for his injuries—until this week.

Pasco and his wife traveled to Walter Reed to undergo surgeries for various serious injuries he sustained during two separate deployments in Iraq. In May 2004, Pasco’s vehicle ran over a 500 pound improvised explosive device (IED) inflicting, among other injuries, a shattered leg, bruised heart, broken upper jaw, and 10 broken ribs. After recovery, Pasco deployed to Iraq again when in November 2007, he was hit by another IED, this time with shrapnel puncturing through his chest and into his jaw, tearing his upper lip, and causing various other injuries. Since then, he and his wife have undergone many challenges in managing Pasco’s treatment. But now after six years, two OEF/OIF deployments, and countless procedures and trips to Walter Reed, this particular trip to DC would prove to add new experiences that would have a lasting effect.

The first of these occurred when Pasco and his wife were invited to attend a commemoration ceremony celebrating 20 years since the passing of the American Disabilities Act. Hosted by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Pasco among other guests, participated in the ceremony this past Monday. It was here where Pasco and his wife were able to walk into the gallery where legislation is passed on Capitol Hill and interact with various Congressional figures and guests from across the United States. Although this was a very impactful and meaningful event, Pasco noted that his time in DC would lead him to an additional eye-opening experience that would empower him to inflict positive change.

The following day, Pasco participated as a panelist for the National Summit on Disability Policy. Leading a discussion entitled, “Living, Learning, Earning: Snapshots from the Field,” Pasco not only shared his thoughts with the 200+ group, but also helped alleviate a gap that often goes unnoticed. As Pasco explained to me, wounded Soldiers and Veterans typically don’t see themselves as disabled. The perception that he was just “a busted up guy,” helped facilitate this belief and has fueled it for many years. It seemed that it would be during this summit when this perception would change. “You know, I never thought of myself as a disabled person until I realized… here I am speaking as a panelist at a conference held by the National Council on Disability. That’s when it finally hit me. I am a disabled person,” described Pasco.

Pasco went further to explain, that recognizing oneself as disabled opens doors—doors that would not have been opened had it not been for the accomplishments and strides made by the disabled community over the decades. It is this realization that Pasco takes with him as he plans to return back to his home in Texas next week. It is also a realization that he hopes many others will have so they can help make their lives a little easier. As Pasco says, “it takes a long hard time to let go and accept reality, but as coach and mama said, ‘What do you do when you get knocked down? You get up.’”