Lee Woodruff on Her Family’s Extraordinary Story of Optimism and Resilience in the Face of Tragedy
Lee Woodruff and her husband Bob were, in many ways, on top of the world. She was with her children at Walt Disney World while Bob was overseas in one of his first news gathering assignments after being named a co-anchor of ABC World News Tonight. Everything changed in an instant when the vehicle Bob was traveling in hit a roadside bomb and he sustained a traumatic brain injury. From there, Lee and his family faced the challenges of trauma, grief, and persevered thanks to what Lee describes as her “Four F’s”: Family, Friends, Funny, and Faith.” Not long after Bob made an against-the-odds recovery, he and Lee founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which helps support veterans, servicemembers, and their families.
Chapters:
00:31 The Woodruff Story: Love and Triumph
Lee Woodruff shares her journey with her husband Bob, detailing their love story, career changes, and the sudden shift in their lives due to personal tragedy.
02:08 A Life of Accomplishments
Lee discusses her multifaceted career as a bestselling author, public speaker, and co-founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which supports veterans with traumatic brain injuries.
04:42 The Impact of Tiananmen Square
Lee recounts Bob’s transformative experience reporting on the Tiananmen Square protests, which redirected his career from law to journalism.
08:31 The Shocking News
Lee describes the moment she received the devastating news of Bob’s injury while at Disney World, highlighting the emotional turmoil and urgency of the situation.
12:14 The Four F’s
Amidst chaos, Lee identifies the four pillars—family, friends, funny, and faith—that helped her navigate the challenges of Bob’s recovery.
13:16 The Birth of the Bob Woodruff Foundation
After Bob’s recovery, Lee explains the motivation behind founding the Bob Woodruff Foundation, aiming to support veterans and families affected by war injuries.
16:03 Finding Strength in Adversity
Lee reflects on how the couple’s response to adversity became a source of inspiration, emphasizing the importance of perspective in overcoming life’s challenges.
19:14 Bob’s Remarkable Recovery
Lee shares insights into Bob’s recovery journey, acknowledging the uniqueness of each brain injury experience while celebrating his progress.
22:05 Navigating Complicated Grief
Lee discusses the complexities of grief when a loved one survives but changes, highlighting the importance of allowing oneself to mourn what has been lost.
29:02 The Foundation’s Humble Beginnings
Lee Woodruff shares how the foundation started from a lack of expertise but evolved into a vital resource for veterans.
30:31 Innovative Solutions for Veterans
The discussion highlights the foundation’s innovative efforts in addressing infertility issues for veterans, showcasing their commitment to helping families in need.
32:06 Mobilizing Awareness Through Personal Experience
Lee reflects on how her husband’s injury brought national attention to veterans’ issues, emphasizing the importance of treating returning service members with dignity.
33:05 Navigating Caregiving and Grief
Lee discusses the complexities of caregiving and the unique challenges faced by families in crisis.
37:11 The Impact on Family: Growing Through Adversity
Lee reflects on how her children’s experiences during her husband’s recovery have shaped them into empathetic individuals.
40:49 Looking Ahead: New Ventures and Aspirations
As Lee shares her future aspirations, including a new novel and media consulting work, she reflects on the lessons learned from her journey.
42:17 Closing Thoughts: Embracing Life’s Challenges
In the final segment, Lee emphasizes the importance of playing the hand you’re dealt and finding silver linings in adversity.
