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Advocating for Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities: A Journey of Purpose with Jonathan Pruden
Manage episode 363075512 series 2992290
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Join us on this episode as we dive into the inspiring story of Jonathan Pruden, Wounded Warrior Project’s® Special Advisor to the Chief of Staff for Warrior Care. This is the first of two parts where Jonathan shares his journey into disability and how he found his purpose in helping other veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Jonathan Pruden is an Army veteran and the Special Advisor to the Chief of Staff for Warrior Care at Wounded Warrior Project. He provides assistance to warriors in complex crisis situations, conducts initial assessments, and refers them to appropriate internal or external resources. Jonathan is also a liaison for high profile warrior care cases, ensuring rapid, coordinated, and collaborative responses.
During his military service, he served as a Medical Service Corps Officer and later as an Infantry Officer. Jonathan was on the initial invasion of Iraq with 3rd Infantry Division and on July 1st, 2003 became one of the first Improvised Explosive Device (IED) casualties of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Despite undergoing 20 operations, including the amputation of his right leg, he earned his MA in Public Affairs from the University of Florida and began working with Wounded Warrior Project.
Jonathan has testified before U.S. Senate and U.S. House committees on affairs such as DoD-VA Transition Issues, Palliative Care, Prosthetics/DME, and support for caregivers and care for those struggling with PTS and TBI. He has also helped develop various programs, including the Working with Wounded Warriors (W4) program for the White House and WWP's Peer Support Program, which trains warriors on how they can support their brothers and sisters just beginning their road to recovery.
In addition to his work at Wounded Warrior Project, Jonathan volunteers at the VA and Team Rubicon, and serves on several government and non-profit advisory boards and steering committees. He regularly engages in policy work and speaks to groups about his experiences and the challenges faced by injured service members.
Learn more about advocating for veterans with service-connected disabilities on this must-listen episode. Get ready to be inspired by Jonathan's journey of purpose!
Episode Resources:
Wounded Warrior Project®: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
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