Jan
17
WAITING FOR UNCLE SAM
Filed Under Tears of a Warrior, Today's War, Veteran Benefits, War | Comments Off
by Janet J. Seahorn, Ph.D
A film came out this fall called Waiting for Superman. It was a documentary on the state of education and our public/charter schools. Many educators perceived the information as “anti” teachers. As a teacher who has been in the field for many decades, I felt the film had many good points, yet, as most documentaries go, it did not address the issues of educating high needs students in the most accurate manner. So it is when dealing with supporting our troops when they return from combat.
First, let me state up front, I have seen and believe most of the individuals who work directly with our military veterans are committed, caring professionals. Every day they do their utmost to make a difference in healing the vet’s emotional and physical wounds. However, there continues to be incredible hurdles veterans must jump through to get the services they need to move forward. Government agencies, much like any huge organization, have far too many procedures, protocols, and paper work for any person to move through in a sane and timely manner. Paper work gets lost or misplaced; doctor appointments and therapy sessions can take months, even years to get into the structure, and classification methods may or may not accurately assess the circumstances of the person.
Many vets continue to report that too often the system uses over medication to solve a problem without proper supervision. What they are asking for are not more pills, but someone to talk to on a regular basis–someone who will listen and assist him in sorting out his experiences, someone who will provide recommendations for coping with the memories and the hurting.
Now, herein lies a huge obstacle – there simply aren’t enough qualified personnel on board to meet the needs of the enormous number of veterans requesting services. One counselor indicated that in her area there were only five therapist hired to handle a client population of 25,000 veterans. Do the math… that would mean each therapist would be responsible for 5,000 individuals – an impossible mission for any person to accomplish regardless of their expertise and dedication.
Some areas of the country are doing a much better job than others. Some vet centers have more resources and personnel to do the work necessary to make the difference in a timely manner. Every site wants to support their veterans, yet they may not have the means to do this effectively and efficiently. So this message is to our government, our elected officials, and Uncle Sam.
Our military and their families cannot afford to WAIT for the treatments they need to get better. They cannot WAIT weeks or months for a doctor’s appointment when the pain is getting worse every day. And they cannot WADE through the incredible amount of red tape to receive the treatments needed NOW! I know that those running the Veteran Centers and hospitals would love to have fewer forms and a more functional process. Surely, if we try we can do better. We can, with careful thought, provide a system that would better support our troops – past, present, and future.
If we send them, then we must mend them.
Jul
5
Vet Hospital Waiting Rooms – Renovate!!!
Filed Under Tears of a Warrior, VA Center, Veteran Benefits | Comments Off
by Janet J. Seahorn
It is Monday morning, and I am sitting in the area’s Veteran’s Hospital waiting for Tony to finish with his medical procedure. The waiting room is small, really drab, and not a very cheery atmosphere. A Starbuck’s latte would help, but I couldn’t find the cafeteria and there was no such place as a gift shop to occupy my time.
Truthfully, I was afraid to leave the area as the facility was a maze of unconnected corridors. It reminded me a bit like Hansel and Gretel trying to negotiate their way through the dark woods, only I had no bread pieces to throw on the floors, which I am pretty certain would raise the wrath of the nurses. To make it even more challenging, there were signs up everywhere, “Don’t Walk Through the Wards”. So getting from point B to point A was a real puzzle. It would be easier to find the witch’s cottage than the hospital’s cafeteria.
Unlike other more modern facilities, many VA Hospitals mirror the cost of having served in the military. Some areas that work with vets are located in dark basements of old buildings. Really uncharming surroundings that may make one question if healing is available within their spaces.
Yet, the volunteers and staff are truly committed to making a difference to every person who enters the hospital. A lovely man, a helper vet, wheeled his cart of donated magazines, books, and other goodies into the tiny space. His genuine mission to please brought a ray of sunshine to this otherwise dull surrounding. He cheerily informed me that I could take any magazine or book that I wanted, as they were all donated by the generous people of the area.
Since I have more than enough reading material, I declined but noticed some red, white, and blue balls wrapped neatly in plastic. Now these I could use.
Like my Labrador, Bailey, I am into play things. The smiling volunteer explained these were stress balls and I would need at least two… one for each hand. I was to squeeze them ten times in the morning when I awoke, and ten times in the evening before bed. Golly, as long as Bailey wasn’t around, I could perform such an exercise.
Feeling a bit less depressed by the drabness of the waiting room, I now had something to de-stress myself. Since I had been reading an article on depression in one of my neuroscience magazines, I was ready to do something more energizing. Crush balls! I now had something interesting to take from the uncheery waiting room.
As for redecorating Vet Hospitals and serving facilities, I have a few simple suggestions. Never put the client or his/her family in small surroundings. This increases paranoia in some and anxiety in others. A new coat of fresh paint, preferable using more energizing or calming colors such as blue, green, or yellow would make an immense difference.
Make sure the room has good sunlight. Sunshine, even on our darkest days, seems to inspire a sense of Hope. A big T.V. would could offer some distraction, as well as access to a few computers to check messages or simple surf the internet.
Providing water or coffee would be great. Last, keep the cheery volunteer. He (she) offers a human contact if the family member is sitting alone, contemplating the “what ifs”. He makes a positive difference.
One last note, if you are wondering where the funds may come from for these suggestions, knowing the government may not be the provider, how about making this a community project. It would mean more to everyone if everyone made the contribution.
Oh, and give out Stress Balls. Even your adoring pets love these baubles.
Jun
30
PTSD Series Discussion #5
Filed Under Brain Injury, Combat PTSD, PTSD, PTSD treatment, TBI & PTSD, Tears of a Warrior, Treating PTSD, War | Comments Off
By Janet J. Seahorn
When is it time to seek outside help?
This is pretty easy to answer: You will know if it is time to seek outside help when the behavior of the serviceperson becomes abnormally un-normal. When life becomes a teeter-totter of ups and downs that can’t seem to be controlled no matter how hard you try. When your surroundings and relationships seem unstable and unsafe and you aren’t sure why, get help.
When my husband began experiencing PTSD, neither one of us had a clue what was going on at the time. There was no such thing as Post-Traumatic Stress. War was something that a person went to, came home from and tried to move on. It wasn’t discussed. It wasn’t thought about (or so we once thought and wanted to believe).
No one considered how the events of combat could impact an individual for the rest of his life. If you came home somewhat physically whole, that was a gift. You healed physically, and you lived as if all the horror from battle never happened. The past was the past and it should not impact one’s future. What an absurd assumption.
Now we understand that nothing in our past is ever fully in the past. The good and the difficult follow us wherever we go. We are part of our experiences. With understanding, courage, and information we may gain strength and wisdom to move forward. Getting outside help can guide us in forming the wisdom and understanding needed for healing.
What are some good resources for help with PTSD or TBI?
There are many resources available to our military service men and women. Check with your local Veteran’s Administration Center if you suspect you need support. You may need to be referred to a Veteran Hospital for further testing and diagnosis, especially if you suspect a traumatic brain injury. Every state has several local centers that have been established to help veterans find the appropriate placement and support needed to get the services they may require. (VA Centers are listed in our book)
Don’t stop at NO if you are convinced you have something wrong that necessitates some form of treatment. Sometimes all you need is that one special person who can take your situation seriously enough to get help. Our family personally saw this happen with my brother. He was extremely wary of anyone associated with the government. As a Vietnam vet, his mistrust of a broken, ineffective system made him reluctant to seek help from a military or veteran organization of any kind. Once he decided to seek services he ran into several brick walls. Yet, he kept trying, until he finally found a former army sergeant who took his situation seriously and made things happen.
It only took one person to make a difference. Don’t’ give up or give in to frustration. Keep going. Help is available, but sometimes you may have to fight for it just like you did in battle. If you did it then, you can do it now.
In ending, we want to thank you and your loved ones for your service and sacrifice. You have made a difference that few will understand, or perhaps fully appreciate. Nevertheless, please recognize the depth of your courage, strength and warrior spirit. These are the attributes that sustained you through combat, and now they will do so again in moving you towards healing and a better life.
Nov
6
When Humpty-Dumpty is Mom
Filed Under PTSD treatment, Today's War, Treating PTSD, VA Center, Women in Combat | Comments Off
by Janet J. Seahorn
War is hell, and there is no polite way to put it.
But when modern war is fought by women as well as men, it can take an even more challenging toil on a family and community.
As Americans, we are quickly learning that our country and its military facilities are struggling to provide appropriate treatment for its female troops. There are many services for men; yet, we are not prepared to offer some of the same options for women.
This week I had two events occur from two different parts of the country. The first was a disturbing phone call from a friend, who has several family members serving in the military. All have fought in Iraq. Her son has been to both Iraq and Afghanistan on numerous tours of duty.
Her concern, however, was for her female family member. After serving in Iraq the military woman has been home for almost three years, taking care of two small children while working full time in a demanding job. The young mother had been exposed to a great deal while deployed, and has done her best to return to normal life stateside.
Most of the time things are fine, but a few weeks ago, the memories, anxieties, and panic attacks returned with a vengeance. As we have discussed numerous times in our blogs, the ghosts of combat often come back to take up residence in the homes of the military personnel.
Without hesitation, this bright lady and her family sought help through the VA. She has wisely enrolled in our local VA Clinic upon return from combat. This time, however, she would need more intense treatment.
Not a problem, except, that the only facility that could accommodate women only is in another state, making the decision to leave her family and work a great deal more difficult.
The second incident came via an article in the New York Times which was sent to me exactly two days after the first event. Reading over the article’s information was all too familiar. I had heard it just two days before. The article by Damien Cave stated, “Never before has this country seen so many women paralyzed by the psychological scars of combat.
As of June 2008, 19,084 female veterans of Iraq or Afghanistan had received diagnoses of mental disorders from the Department of Veteran Affairs, including 8,454 women with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress — and this number does not include troops still active, or those who have never used the V.A. system” (Internet, Nov. 1, 2009).
The article continued to comment on what we have heard from many female vets, that because they are women, “people underestimate what these women have been through” (Resick, Internet, Nov. 1, 2009).
Since war has been traditionally fought by men, we have seen the Humpty-Dumpty effect. But what happens when Humpty is Mom? What happens when Mom is the wounded warrior? What happens to the children? What happens to the organizational system of the home: the washing, cooking, cleaning, and daily tasks?
Who steps up to help nurture the nurturer when she needs comfort, care, and support? These are vital questions that need to be explored and addressed.
When Humpty-Dumpty is Mom, she can be put back together; however, the tools and glue may be pink instead of blue.
Oct
28
Obama Signs Veterans Health Care Legislation
Filed Under Veteran Benefits | Comments Off
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2009 – President Barack Obama signed new legislation today that creates predictable funding for veterans’ health care.
The Veterans Healthcare Reform and Transparency Act fundamentally changes how the Department of Veterans Affairs receive health care funding. The reform calls for appropriations a year in advance after more than two decades of regular budget delays, Obama said from the White House East Room.
“Over the past two decades, the VA budget has been late almost every year, often by months,” the president said. “At this very moment, the VA is operating without a budget, making it harder for VA medical centers and clinics to deliver the care our vets need.”
Obama said that because of budget shortfalls, new doctors, nurses and critical staff aren’t hired on time. New health care facilities and programs often are put on hold, leaving veterans to pay the price for the government’s neglect, he said.
“This is inexcusable. It’s unacceptable. It’s time for it to stop,” he said. “And that’s just what we’ll do with this landmark legislation.”
The law gives VA more funding predictability so officials can better budget their needs, recruit better-trained professionals and upgrade equipment. Mostly, Obama said, the law gives veterans better access to quality care.
“In short, this is common-sense reform,” he said. “It promotes accountability at the VA. It ensures oversight by Congress. It is fiscally responsible by not adding a dime to the deficit, and it ensures that veterans’ health care will no longer be held hostage to the annual budget battles in Washington.
“Keeping faith with our veterans is work that is never truly done,” he continued. “Today’s veterans expect and deserve the highest quality care, as will tomorrow’s veterans, especially our men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Obama pledged his administration would continue in efforts to build a 21st-century VA. Since he’s taken office, the White House, VA and Pentagon have been working to “cut the red tape and backlogs,” he said.
He noted the administration has invested in mobile clinics to give veterans in rural areas better access, and cited the VA and Pentagon’s work to develop a single health care record for servicemembers to make their transition out of the military a simpler process.
Obama also vowed to end homelessness among veterans and praised the success of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which offers qualified veterans better opportunities to attain higher education and training.
“All told, we have made the biggest commitment to veterans, the largest percentage increase in the VA budget in more than 30 years,” he said. “As a nation, we’ll pledge to fulfill our responsibilities to our veterans, because our commitment to our veterans is a sacred trust, and upholding that trust is a moral obligation.”
Mar
30
A Quiet Place to Wait
Filed Under American Patriotism | 1 Comment
It was early Friday morning. We were waiting in the Phoenix airport to board our flight back to Colorado after spending a week in Sedona. We went there to hike, rest, and get back to nature. The recuperation was something we needed after spending so much time on finishing our book and the grueling task of trying to market it to the public.
Writing a book is one thing, but promoting it is something even more challenging. Something we never fully comprehended. Marketing means you constantly have to be talking about a topic that you would rather put behind you. It is a necessary part of the book publishing process; yet, we truly wished there was a simpler way to get our book out there.
As we sat in the main terminal of Sky Harbor International Airport eating our light breakfast, we noticed a sign pointing to the second floor offices that read, Phoenix Military & Veterans Hospitality Room. Interesting. We wondered what a “hospitality room” for veterans looked like in an airport, so we decided to investigate. What a special place for military personnel and their families. The lounge had several computers for individuals to catch up on their e-mail. There were rooms full of books on various military topics, including PTSD. Children could play in a section close by filled with colorful beanbag chairs, games, puzzles, and activities that would help fill the time as families waited for connecting flights. A huge television set up with video games and DVDs offered entertainment of another source. A second large TV occupied a different area with several comfy reclining chairs and a small coach. On occasion, when an individual had to spend the night, a volunteer stayed with him or her for company. In addition to all the amenities, the Hospitality Center had an area filled with free snacks. Here one could munch on a variety of candies, popcorn, soups, soft drinks or a have a cup of hot coffee and tea. The entire area was set-up to make the time spent at the airport more comfortable for military personnel and their families.
All of the amenities were great, yet, the best part of the Center was the volunteers – fellow veterans who only wanted to do something to support other military personnel. They were proud of their unique center. Their only motivation was to make a small difference. They certainly are doing that and far more!