The Army Times wrote an interesting article about the review program the Army is putting in place to address the issues that our veterans at Walter Reed and throughout the DOD system are facing.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said, “after the war itself, fixing the problems associated with the care of our wounded is possibly our highest priority.”
President Bush also promised to support a program to support our wounded warriors. He said, "I am concerned that soldiers and their families are not getting the treatment that they deserve having volunteered to defend our country."
I'm confident that their review will show plenty of issues that need to be addressed. Hopefully, they'll make some massive progress and help our veterans. Realistically, I think it'll be a long slow typical government process, even with the additional focus and media attention.
We'll help along the way.
To your healing!
Mike
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
So, How's The Family?
All sorts of issues can pop up for our returning war veterans, and they affect more than just the service member. Combat Stress and Trauma can cause extreme difficulty for their families.
A returning service member may find it difficult to trust and be close to others, cutting off their families. Troops having anger issues be difficult to relate to, and cause a dynamic of fear to enter family life.
Veterans may focus on trying to keep everyone safe, and lose interest in activities that they may have enjoyed previously. They may become distant from their spouse, parents, siblings and friends.
Family members then inherit many of these tendencies by default. Even if they feel hurt or depressed because of the painful situation, they may be reluctant to seek help themselves. They may want to avoid bring up the painful subject, or just avoid the veteran's reaction.
Bottom line is that the family members can grow apart from the service member if they're not careful. It's important for families to stick together as much as possible to assist the veteran, help him/her adjust, and often just provide a sense of companionship and belonging.
If you have a veteran suffering from these issues, find out what you can do to help.
It may be therapy for them and you will get you on the right track.
To your healing.
Mike
A returning service member may find it difficult to trust and be close to others, cutting off their families. Troops having anger issues be difficult to relate to, and cause a dynamic of fear to enter family life.
Veterans may focus on trying to keep everyone safe, and lose interest in activities that they may have enjoyed previously. They may become distant from their spouse, parents, siblings and friends.
Family members then inherit many of these tendencies by default. Even if they feel hurt or depressed because of the painful situation, they may be reluctant to seek help themselves. They may want to avoid bring up the painful subject, or just avoid the veteran's reaction.
Bottom line is that the family members can grow apart from the service member if they're not careful. It's important for families to stick together as much as possible to assist the veteran, help him/her adjust, and often just provide a sense of companionship and belonging.
If you have a veteran suffering from these issues, find out what you can do to help.
It may be therapy for them and you will get you on the right track.
To your healing.
Mike
Monday, March 5, 2007
"It's A New Technique... "
I was talking with a social worker/psychologist today about various ways to help people suffering from trauma, anxiety, or PTSD. We discussed the difficulties that some of our troops face as they confront these challenges.
She discussed a therapy technique that she thought would be useful, using computers and a biofeedback type system to help train the mind to control anxiety and to maintain healthy brainwaves. Unfortunately, the equipment is expensive, and requires training.
She said, "It's a new technique. Not many therapists are trained in it."
I asked how long it's been around. She replied, "Ten years."
I literally smacked myself in the forehead. Ten years is too late for so many of our troops. They need help now.
One young Marine that a friend of mine is helping lives in his truck and self medicates with alcohol between his therapy sessions. He's making no real progress and losing hope...
The recent articles about Walter Reed have brought this issue to the forefront, but it's not going away soon. The conventional therapies and techniques used can work for people, but they are often expensive, time consuming, and are too little too late for our troops. Our Marine friend needs more help than he's getting.
While we'll make no claims to "cure" anyone outright, we plan to provide techniques to help people make a positive difference in their lives right away. The healing power is within us all.
To your healing,
Mike
She discussed a therapy technique that she thought would be useful, using computers and a biofeedback type system to help train the mind to control anxiety and to maintain healthy brainwaves. Unfortunately, the equipment is expensive, and requires training.
She said, "It's a new technique. Not many therapists are trained in it."
I asked how long it's been around. She replied, "Ten years."
I literally smacked myself in the forehead. Ten years is too late for so many of our troops. They need help now.
One young Marine that a friend of mine is helping lives in his truck and self medicates with alcohol between his therapy sessions. He's making no real progress and losing hope...
The recent articles about Walter Reed have brought this issue to the forefront, but it's not going away soon. The conventional therapies and techniques used can work for people, but they are often expensive, time consuming, and are too little too late for our troops. Our Marine friend needs more help than he's getting.
While we'll make no claims to "cure" anyone outright, we plan to provide techniques to help people make a positive difference in their lives right away. The healing power is within us all.
To your healing,
Mike
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Hydrate Or Die!
If you like to run around in the outdoors, you may recognize that saying as the slogan used by Camelbak, the makers of personal hydration systems, backpacks and other outdoor equipment.
I bought one several years ago for bike riding and hiking, and loved the convenience of having a drink of water always available. I drink a lot of water. All of us need to drink water to keep our bodies working effectively. The slogan is true. If you don't drink water, you will die.
In a similar fashion, we need to drink spiritually as well. We need to soak in the human feelings of being connected, appreciated, understood, and loved.
Unfortunately, many coming home from the war have been parched for so long, that it's difficult for them to return to those emotions. The safe thing to do in a war seems to be to shield yourself, and to be tough. Hard things have to be done. Trauma and anxiety result.
I don't know if you could imagine how refreshing it would be to start to drink in those loving feelings after wandering around in the desert for months. Think about it. How nice would it be to have that love returning, and filling you up with light from your toes all the way to the top of your head.
Once you've been filled with love, it's always easier to give love to those around you. Sometimes people have guilt and difficulty forgiving themselves for things that have happened. Forgiveness of yourself is the valve that allows the love to flow back into your life.
Forgive yourself first, and move forward from there.
To your healing!
Mike
I bought one several years ago for bike riding and hiking, and loved the convenience of having a drink of water always available. I drink a lot of water. All of us need to drink water to keep our bodies working effectively. The slogan is true. If you don't drink water, you will die.
In a similar fashion, we need to drink spiritually as well. We need to soak in the human feelings of being connected, appreciated, understood, and loved.
Unfortunately, many coming home from the war have been parched for so long, that it's difficult for them to return to those emotions. The safe thing to do in a war seems to be to shield yourself, and to be tough. Hard things have to be done. Trauma and anxiety result.
I don't know if you could imagine how refreshing it would be to start to drink in those loving feelings after wandering around in the desert for months. Think about it. How nice would it be to have that love returning, and filling you up with light from your toes all the way to the top of your head.
Once you've been filled with love, it's always easier to give love to those around you. Sometimes people have guilt and difficulty forgiving themselves for things that have happened. Forgiveness of yourself is the valve that allows the love to flow back into your life.
Forgive yourself first, and move forward from there.
To your healing!
Mike
Saturday, March 3, 2007
I Cried Like A Baby!
A friend told me about this Video about Free Hugs online.
I encourage you to watch it, enjoy the music, and then read my reaction/thoughts below...
The video and message is about everyone's need for a human connection.
It starts with the man standing alone, offering Free Hugs, but being ignored, avoided and even challenged about his position. But soon, the ice breaks, and he begins to share his hugs, people join him in giving hugs, and joy, peace, acceptance and love follow...
That itself touched me, but as I thought about our returning veterans, I drew parallels that really did bring me to tears. Lucky for me, I had my Kleenex nearby and no one in the house.
I sobbed as I thought of our soldiers, who have returned home, and now, even when in a crowd, feel different and alone. I thought of the despair that they must feel as they attempt to go about their daily lives surrounded by people who don't understand them, their thoughts, and their fears.
I thought about the people struggling to make it through the day with their anxiety, depressions, and desperate circumstances...
And then I thought of how we intend to help. Give love, acceptance, and support to those in need. Provide them with the understanding that they are not alone. People understand them and what they are going through. People want to help, and metaphorically as well as physically will welcome them home into open arms.
Imagine how we can take those veterans and envelop them in love, help them work through their issues and send them on their way stronger, standing taller, and smiling.
This drawing from a talented young artist, Rebecca Jacobson, show the feelings involved, and I can identify with it in so many ways.
Help us free the spirits of those who are wounded. Big things are coming.
To Your Healing,
Mike
I encourage you to watch it, enjoy the music, and then read my reaction/thoughts below...
The video and message is about everyone's need for a human connection.
It starts with the man standing alone, offering Free Hugs, but being ignored, avoided and even challenged about his position. But soon, the ice breaks, and he begins to share his hugs, people join him in giving hugs, and joy, peace, acceptance and love follow...
That itself touched me, but as I thought about our returning veterans, I drew parallels that really did bring me to tears. Lucky for me, I had my Kleenex nearby and no one in the house.
I sobbed as I thought of our soldiers, who have returned home, and now, even when in a crowd, feel different and alone. I thought of the despair that they must feel as they attempt to go about their daily lives surrounded by people who don't understand them, their thoughts, and their fears.
I thought about the people struggling to make it through the day with their anxiety, depressions, and desperate circumstances...
And then I thought of how we intend to help. Give love, acceptance, and support to those in need. Provide them with the understanding that they are not alone. People understand them and what they are going through. People want to help, and metaphorically as well as physically will welcome them home into open arms.
Imagine how we can take those veterans and envelop them in love, help them work through their issues and send them on their way stronger, standing taller, and smiling.
This drawing from a talented young artist, Rebecca Jacobson, show the feelings involved, and I can identify with it in so many ways.
Help us free the spirits of those who are wounded. Big things are coming.To Your Healing,
Mike
Friday, March 2, 2007
Will The Army Pay Up?
A soldier suffering from PTSD, or combat stress may have more than just their anxiety to worry about. Often, long term care may be required, and the troops have to deal with the mental and the financial issues that follow.
Living on disability is not much of a living, particularly if you have a family to support.
Much of the stress involved in the situation is from troops trying to argue with the military to get fair compensation and treatment for their issues.
An article on Axis of Logic really goes into some depth in the subject:
Indeed, the Army's system for allocating disability pay to traumatized vets is another source of their frustration and anger. An Army panel at Walter Reed, called the Physical Evaluation Board, decides what percentage of income each soldier should get from the military to compensate him if he is too ill to serve any longer. The doctors decide whether wounds are combat related, and then the board decides how much disability the Army will pay. The board's decision is critical for soldiers trying to make a living after leaving the Army with what can be a debilitating mental condition. Fighting with the hospital about disability pay is a source of considerable stress just as these soldiers are trying to heal their minds.
Some of the soldiers are fighting decisions by the board at Walter Reed. Out of the 14 soldiers interviewed, five have left Walter Reed. Three ended up getting zero percent of their income as disability pay, despite what they said was serious mental stress that made it more difficult or impossible to work. Even those who got a third of their pay still had trouble making ends meet. (In every case I followed, the Department of Veterans Affairs made a later determination that the soldiers deserved more. The soldiers can choose to take the higher percentage of pay from the V.A., but in some cases if they do so, they must pay back what they have received so far from the Army.)
This exact situation happening to a soldier who couldn't go back to work because of PTSD is what inspired us to start working on this project.
To your healing!
Mike
Living on disability is not much of a living, particularly if you have a family to support.
Much of the stress involved in the situation is from troops trying to argue with the military to get fair compensation and treatment for their issues.
An article on Axis of Logic really goes into some depth in the subject:
Indeed, the Army's system for allocating disability pay to traumatized vets is another source of their frustration and anger. An Army panel at Walter Reed, called the Physical Evaluation Board, decides what percentage of income each soldier should get from the military to compensate him if he is too ill to serve any longer. The doctors decide whether wounds are combat related, and then the board decides how much disability the Army will pay. The board's decision is critical for soldiers trying to make a living after leaving the Army with what can be a debilitating mental condition. Fighting with the hospital about disability pay is a source of considerable stress just as these soldiers are trying to heal their minds.
Some of the soldiers are fighting decisions by the board at Walter Reed. Out of the 14 soldiers interviewed, five have left Walter Reed. Three ended up getting zero percent of their income as disability pay, despite what they said was serious mental stress that made it more difficult or impossible to work. Even those who got a third of their pay still had trouble making ends meet. (In every case I followed, the Department of Veterans Affairs made a later determination that the soldiers deserved more. The soldiers can choose to take the higher percentage of pay from the V.A., but in some cases if they do so, they must pay back what they have received so far from the Army.)
This exact situation happening to a soldier who couldn't go back to work because of PTSD is what inspired us to start working on this project.
To your healing!
Mike
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Heads Will Roll
According to the AP, the Army relieved Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, who was commanding general of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command as well as Walter Reed hospital.
In a brief announcement, the Army said service leaders had "lost trust and confidence" in Weightman's leadership abilities "to address needed solutions for soldier outpatient care" at Walter Reed.
"A bedrock principle of our military system is that we empower commanders with the responsibility, authority and resources necessary to carry out their mission," said Defense Secretary Robert Gates. "With responsibility comes accountability."
If you read the articles, the issue wasn't with the severly injured soldiers... They were getting good medical care. It's the soldiers who weren't critical who were left to fend for themselves, even if their injuries were debilitating.
The focus of our program is to care for these troops that are suffering mentally from PTSD, anxiety or other combat stress related issues. The ones who don't need critical care, but who still need help.
Keep watching and keep sending your stories and ideas. Let us know how we can help YOU personally.
To your healing!
Mike
In a brief announcement, the Army said service leaders had "lost trust and confidence" in Weightman's leadership abilities "to address needed solutions for soldier outpatient care" at Walter Reed.
"A bedrock principle of our military system is that we empower commanders with the responsibility, authority and resources necessary to carry out their mission," said Defense Secretary Robert Gates. "With responsibility comes accountability."
If you read the articles, the issue wasn't with the severly injured soldiers... They were getting good medical care. It's the soldiers who weren't critical who were left to fend for themselves, even if their injuries were debilitating.
The focus of our program is to care for these troops that are suffering mentally from PTSD, anxiety or other combat stress related issues. The ones who don't need critical care, but who still need help.
Keep watching and keep sending your stories and ideas. Let us know how we can help YOU personally.
To your healing!
Mike
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