Local Iraq War Hero Needs Our Help

8/14/08

Fund Raising Effort is Initiated by Local VFW and Ladies Auxillary By Sid Riley
Bill Sellers, Jr.graduated from Marianna High School with the class of 1986. A Jackson County native, he is the son of Bill and Cheryl Sellers of the Marianna area. Those who are closest to him affectionately refer to him as "Little Bill", or "Bill Junior".
After graduation, young Sellers joined the U. S. Navy, where he served five years. After discharge he returned to Marianna and worked with his father in their cabinet making business. Bill is married to Pam Hall Sellers, who is also a Marianna High School graduate.
Then that dreadful day in September of 2001 came. Bill was so impacted by the 9-1-1 event and the cowardly attack on our nation, he made the decision to re-enter the military. This time it was the U. S Army.
Bill was sent to Iraq in October 2006 with Army Delta Company, 2/124 Infantry, with the rank of Staff Sergeant. In May 2007 he was in a HMMVV which rolled over. The crash resulted in Bill receiving a severe brain concussion that incapacitated him for several months while he recovered in a Mobile hospital.
Then he rejoined his outfit in Iraq. He had only been back in the fray a short time when he was riding in another HMMVV which was under attack. The armored vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb which resulted in Bill receiving another severe concussion, which had a compounded effect since he was still recovering from his initial injury. Bill has been nominated for a Bronze Star for his action in Iraq.
These injuries have left him with several rehabilitating conditions including Traumatic Brain Injury, severe migraine headaches, seizures, tendonitis, and posttraumatic stress disorder. He is currently unable to drive and is unemployable. His family is suffering severe financial hardships while trying to survive on only $1,000 per month in benefits. However, there is still hope for further recovery that may restore him to a fruitful lifestyle.
There is a renowned neurologist, Dr. Carol Hendricks of Tucson, Arizona who has reviewed Bill’s medical records. She feels that a relatively new treatment involving Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy which is administered in a special pressure tank, which aids the body’s ability to heal, for a nine week period would greatly improve Bill’s chances for recovery. Because of Bill’s service to his nation and the fact that this treatment is outside the scope of VA benefits, this doctor has offered the treatment free of charge. Normally it would cost many, many thousands of dollars.
However, other expenses related to this treatment remain. The cost of travel to and from Arizona, and housekeeping for the nine weeks of treatment while routine obligations continue here at home are prohibiting him from accepting the offer of free treatment.
Liz Huber, with the local VFW #12046 Ladies Auxiliary heard of this struggling Iraq War veteran’s problems while distributing poppies at Wal-Mart on Memorial Day. She sprang into action by enlisting the help of Ernest McNeil who is active in the VFW. They then located Bill Sellers and got the entire VFW organization to launch a fund raising effort on Bill’s behalf. Their goal is to raise a minimum of $5,000 which will cover the travel and living expenses for Bill and his family while he gets this needed medical help in Tucson.
If you want to do something worthwhile, good, Christian, and patriotic….then this is an opportunity for you to do your part. Please send a donation addressed to "Staff Sergeant Bill Sellers Treatment Fund" to any Peoples South Bank. The account number is #3302951359.
This fund is being spearheaded by the Ted Walt Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12046 and their Ladies Auxiliary. Please take time to help this vet who was injured while protecting us all.