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This pep talk from a blind U.S. veteran challenges you to consider how you live This pep talk from a blind U.S. veteran challenges you to consider how you live
(about 2 hours later)
Michael Jernigan was south of Baghdad on Aug. 22, 2004, when a blast from an improvised explosive device threw him from his vehicle and left him with devastating injuries to his head, hand and knee. But just because he lost both eyes in the explosion, it doesn’t mean he lost his vision, he says.Michael Jernigan was south of Baghdad on Aug. 22, 2004, when a blast from an improvised explosive device threw him from his vehicle and left him with devastating injuries to his head, hand and knee. But just because he lost both eyes in the explosion, it doesn’t mean he lost his vision, he says.
Jernigan, a medically retired Marine Corps corporal, is the star of a new video released by Honor Courage Commitment Inc., a non-profit organization focused on helping veterans transition into civilian life. Wearing a charcoal three-piece suit, pocket square and purple bow tie, he recalls waking up in a military hospital room in Bethesda, Md., without being able to see, and learning to cope with it.Jernigan, a medically retired Marine Corps corporal, is the star of a new video released by Honor Courage Commitment Inc., a non-profit organization focused on helping veterans transition into civilian life. Wearing a charcoal three-piece suit, pocket square and purple bow tie, he recalls waking up in a military hospital room in Bethesda, Md., without being able to see, and learning to cope with it.
“It’s kind of difficult for some people to comprehend, but to me, sight and vision aren’t necessarily the same thing,” he says in the video. “Sight is what your eyes do, those pictures you see. Vision is much deeper. Vision is that mind’s eye, that view that your mind’s eye has. When I woke up in that hospital bed, that’s when I started to gain my vision. That’s when I started to develop my vision.”“It’s kind of difficult for some people to comprehend, but to me, sight and vision aren’t necessarily the same thing,” he says in the video. “Sight is what your eyes do, those pictures you see. Vision is much deeper. Vision is that mind’s eye, that view that your mind’s eye has. When I woke up in that hospital bed, that’s when I started to gain my vision. That’s when I started to develop my vision.”
The video, overlaid with music, a dark background and stage lighting, is arresting. Jernigan said it was developed for a Veterans Day program for the National Teachers Associates Life Insurance Company, but released to the public for the first time Thursday.The video, overlaid with music, a dark background and stage lighting, is arresting. Jernigan said it was developed for a Veterans Day program for the National Teachers Associates Life Insurance Company, but released to the public for the first time Thursday.
Jernigan — featured briefly in this earlier Checkpoint piece about the #22Kill effort to stop veteran suicide — says in the video that he realized after he was injured that his life was going to be full of challenges, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be happy. He makes light of his injuries, and says he considers them a blessing. Jernigan — featured briefly in this earlier Checkpoint piece about the #22Kill effort to stop veteran suicide — says in the video that he realized after he was injured that his life was going to be full of challenges, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be happy. He makes light of his injuries, and says he considers them a gift.
“I like to say that the bomb pays dividends, and for me it has,” he says in the video, cracking a smile.“I like to say that the bomb pays dividends, and for me it has,” he says in the video, cracking a smile.
In an interview with Checkpoint, Jernigan said he has an interest in public speaking, but had never attempted to make a professional video before.In an interview with Checkpoint, Jernigan said he has an interest in public speaking, but had never attempted to make a professional video before.
“I’ve done television interviews and documentaries before, but it’s the first time I’ve ever sat down and done a video with the intent of trying to motivate someone to go somewhere with their life,” he said.“I’ve done television interviews and documentaries before, but it’s the first time I’ve ever sat down and done a video with the intent of trying to motivate someone to go somewhere with their life,” he said.
Jernigan added that his dress in the video is nothing out of the ordinary for him.Jernigan added that his dress in the video is nothing out of the ordinary for him.
“I’m a bow-tie guy, you know? I like to wear bow ties, and it’s not a freakin’ hipster thing,” he said. “They all go with my suits, and I’ve been doing it for years.”“I’m a bow-tie guy, you know? I like to wear bow ties, and it’s not a freakin’ hipster thing,” he said. “They all go with my suits, and I’ve been doing it for years.”