Like many other mothers, Lee Woodruff was at Disney World on Jan. 29, 2006 with her four children enjoying the day at the park.

Little did she know that later that night she would receive a phone call notifying her that newsman husband, Bob Woodruff, sustained a traumatic brain injury due to an improvised explosive device (IED) which severely injured the left side of his head, while covering a story in Taji, Iraq for ABC News.

"Bob was a victim of a terrorist war," said Mrs. Woodruff, who spoke to an audience of about 150 people at Sacred Heart University last Thursday night.

What Mrs. Woodruff later found out was that while the IED went off and injured them, they were dealing with mortar fire, which made it difficult for instant help. As the medics were on their way to get Mr. Woodruff and cameraman Doug Vogt, they were called off because of the danger that had been occurring.

"The medics turned the radio down, ignoring the order and saved Bob and Doug's life," said Mrs. Woodruff. "This shows the bravery of the young men and women fighting in this war."

Mrs. Woodruff referred to her time while sitting by Mr. Woodruff and waiting for him to heal as, "the zone". She chose not to learn about symptoms and everything else surrounding Bob because she didn't want to assume the worst.

Mrs. Woodruff also had a difficult time in the intensive care unit (ICU) because doctors didn't know what exactly could happen next and didn't want to lead on hope.

"No one in a hospital has the right to take hope away, because this is what you need," said Mrs. Woodruff.

On the 35th day in the hospital bed, Mrs. Woodruff walked in to her husband sitting up and acting as if nothing had ever happened. As Mr. Woodruff started to heal and gain memory back, he was still having a hard time processing words and putting sentences together.

Mrs. Woodruff implied a strong value for appreciation for the war veterans after her husband's injury. She gives as much as she can when it comes to helping soldiers come home and get back into their lives- away from war.

Mrs. Woodruff and her husband are especially working towards helping veterans with traumatic brain injuries.

"She was a great compliment to the lecture series," said Denise Tiberio, associate dean of students. "She is just very genuine and a wonderful warm hearted woman."

"In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing" was a way for Mrs. Woodruff to take a step back and look at the situation that was happening right in front of her. This was a way for her to document everything and was also a form of therapy.

Mrs. Woodruff implied that the book is a way to reach out to others and help them see what is happening at war, what the veterans are facing and the struggles they have to get back in to life at home. It also brings out the significant bond that the Woodruff family had during this difficult time in their lives.

"Her speech was very poignant and brought up many ideas and points that I had no idea about, specifically the way we were treating our veterans," said senior Shaun Mitchell.

Mrs. Woodruff touched on the fact that 15-30 percent of the 1.75 million soldiers will come back home with some sort of brain injury.

"We are looking to tackle the problems now," said Mrs. Woodruff. "Look for people who have returned to the country in your community and so something even small to help them."

The Woodruff family wants support for veterans and their families to come from all over. Visit bobwoodrufffamilyfund.org to learn more about the work this family has been contributing to soldiers everywhere. The foundation helps all branches of service.

"I felt she was very empowering and motivated people to live each day as it comes," said junior Ashley Stearns. "Most importantly she expressed the importance of living each day with gratitude and strength."

help them see what is happening at war, what the veterans are facing and the struggles they have to get back in to life at home. It also brings out the significant bond that the Woodruff family had during this difficult time in their lives.

"Her speech was very poignant and brought up many ideas and points that I had no idea about, specifically the way we were treating our veterans," said senior Shaun Mitchell.

Mrs. Woodruff touched on the fact that 15-30 percent of the 1.75 million soldiers will come back home with some sort of brain injury.

"We are looking to tackle the problems now," said Mrs. Woodruff. "Look for people who have returned to the country in your community and so something even small to help them."

The Woodruff family wants support for veterans and their families to come from all over. Visit bobwoodrufffamilyfund.org to learn more about the work this family has been contributing to soldiers everywhere. The foundation helps all branches of service.

"I felt she was very empowering and motivated people to live each day as it comes," said junior Ashley Stearns. "Most importantly she expressed the importance of living each day with gratitude and strength."