Tuesday, May 1, 2007; Posted: 6:40 p.m. (CDT)
Oklahoma City -- A local man is turning his own tragedy into something positive. Ed Pulido is among the thousands of soldiers to defend our country in Iraq. He's one of hundreds who came home a changed man. In the first part of this special series, KSBI-TV reflects on Pulido's deployment and the incident that would forever change him.
Ed Pulido is currently a leader with innovative ideas, but it would take a long, painful journey to achieve that status. The journey began August 17, 2004, in Iraq.
"I hit an IED, an improvised explosive device, a roadside bomb. What ended up happening is our vehicle was dismantled, it was non-operational and I noticed I had injuries not only to my leg, but to the left side of my body," explains Pulido.
Pulido spent the next 40 days in intensive care. His body weight dropped dangerously low due to severe infection caused by his injuries. Pulido was forced to make the choice of a lifetime.
"I had to make the decision that it was either to live or to die. And that decision was, well you know which one I chose. That was to basically continue to live, but without my left leg," says Pulido.
Pulido now leads a successful career with the local United Way. He says life without his leg has been difficult. He first spun into a deep depression thinking life was over. A veteran who lost both his legs in Vietnam changed his outlook.
"He said it's either stay in that bed and grieve or get out of that bed and succeed," recalls Pulido. "I chose to succeed in my life."
In part two of this special series, KSBI-TV will detail how Pulido is using his past to create a better future for thousands more troops. We'll also introduce you to a man who deeply inspires Pulido, a Vietnam veteran who lost both his legs.
