Falcon's cry

Description:

In 1996 Major Donnelly was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease, at the unusually young age of 35; the onset of this illness marked the beginning of a kind of torture beyond the scope of even the most rigorous military survival training. Betrayed by his body, eventually paralyzed and confined to a wheel-chair, he experienced another betrayal perhaps even more difficult to comprehend - betrayal by his country. For despite the fact that over 110,000 Desert Storm veterans are sick, many dying of mysterious cancers and neurological diseases, including more than ten times the normal incidence of ALS - and despite all evidence pointing to U.S. troops having been dosed by low levels of Iraqi nerve agents and exposed to chemical weapons' fallout - the Pentagon adamantly denies any connection between their illnesses and their service in the Gulf War. A first step has been taken toward justice for the tens of thousands of Desert Storm veterans who are suffering virtually in isolation, many without any medical or disability benefits, thanks largely to the testimony of the author before the House of Representatives in 1997. Major Donnelly believes the truth will be uncovered by the studies recommended by the House, as well as through stories like his own, and he fervently hopes that America can, at last, "get it right."

subjects: Political aspects of Persian Gulf syndrome,  Persian Gulf War, 1991,  Personal narratives, American,  American Personal narratives,  Medical care,  Political aspects,  Veterans,  Persian Gulf syndrome,  Persian Gulf syndrome--Political aspects,  Persian gulf war, 1991, health aspects,  Veterans, medical care,  Military biography

People: Michael Donnelly

Places: United States