May 3, 2010

National Center for PTSD Introduces Program Locator…

Posted by Eric under Combat PTSD, Combat Veterans, Dept of Veteran Affairs, Heroes, Homeless Veterans, IAO, Mental Health, TBI, U.S. Military | Tags: , , , , , , |
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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Center for PTSD – the center for research and education on the prevention, understanding and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – has introduced a PTSD Program Locator. The locator allows users to identify VA PTSD programs by state and provides administrative contact information.

Each VA medical center provides treatment for veterans with PTSD. Additionally, there are nearly 200 specialized PTSD treatment programs available nationwide through VA.

To view the locator, click here for a description of VA PTSD programs, click here.

Troops, veterans, military families and their providers may also call the Outreach Center for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury at 866-966-1020 for round-the-clock assistance.

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May 1, 2010

Casualties of War…

Posted by Eric under Combat PTSD, IAO, Mental Health, Peer Support, Stigma, Suicide, U.S. Military, Videos, War on Terror | Tags: , , , , , , , , |
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I have to thank my good friend Rob from over at American and Proud for emailing me this video about Combat PTSD and Suicide, evidently it’s pretty fresh. I don’t watch much television, or, I forget to lol.

On the topic of suicide: It’s something that one particular VA needs to get a grip on like now, the need for hiring peer support specialists that won’t freak out over suicide related issues and call it a “Deal Breaker” is obvious. I won’t get into all that in this post but this is what, and will be, coming through VA Mental Health Care (in increasing numbers) for a VERY long time to come.

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April 27, 2010

Well…

Posted by Eric under Humor, IAO, Military, Personal Notes, Politics, U.S. Navy | Tags: , , , , , |
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Another milestone has been reached, over 10,000 unique hits since first firing this blog up last October. I appreciate everyone who has ever breached my wire, thank you. I’ve also decided to change the blog theme, so excuse the mess until I can get everything covered down and aligned properly etc. Unfortunately I’m OCD about all that too. :-|

Maybe this is old news as it’s apparently been making the rounds, but it’s pretty good stuff nonetheless lol…

A retired Navy veteran writes with objection to the editor in the April 2 Northern Wyoming Daily News:

…and it wouldn’t be complete without a little music to compliment it:

*Actually I was looking for an excuse to play that on here lol; a gentleman I work with at the coalition (also a retired Navy vet) turned me on to The Irish Rovers recently.

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April 26, 2010

Official Urges Gulf War Vets to Seek VA Care…

Posted by Eric under Combat PTSD, Combat Veterans, GWS, Gulf War, Heroes, IAO, PTSD, U.S. Military | Tags: , |
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…and hopefully a Gulf War veteran won’t have a VA doctor that looks at you with the dumbest look and asks in her best try at English: “Gulf War Illness, what is THAT? Can ‘you’ tell me what that is please? I’ve never heard of it.”

I couldn’t make that up if I tried, and I never saw that Indian doctor again. *Walks out of Dr’s Office and Slams the Door!*

Plenty of other examples and they wonder why only roughly 25-30%  of those currently eligible for VA health-care utilize it.


By Lisa Daniel, American Forces Press Service

Gulf War veterans with medical symptoms should seek treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs in light of a recent study that says Gulf War service is a cause of post-traumatic stress disorder, a senior Military Health System official said April 22, 2010.

In an interview, Dr. Michael Kilpatrick, director of strategic communications for the Military Health System, said that if Gulf War veterans seek care through VA, rather than private doctors, researchers can continue to track their data and search for causes of their symptoms.

Congress has ordered that Gulf War veterans still qualify for high-priority care through the VA, and Kilpatrick urged them to use it.

“For Gulf War veterans who think they may have symptoms and they are undiagnosed, we still encourage them to seek care,” he said.

The National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine found in its most recent study on the health effects of the Gulf War, released April 9, that military service in the war is a cause of post-traumatic stress disorder in some veterans and also is associated with multiple other medical symptoms.

(more…)

 

April 26, 2010

‘Metal Health’ Monday: Releasing the Demons…

Posted by Eric under Fear & Anxiety, IAO, PTSD, Recovery, Therapy, Videos | Tags: , , , , , |
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This one about sums it up, I’ve always been a huge fan of Godsmack for turning out great tunes such as Releasing the Demons. Their new album “The Oracle” will hit stores May 4th.

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April 1, 2010

100 word challenge, “swollen ankle”

Posted by dtodeen under 100 word challenge, USMC
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I was 4th up to bat, playoff game. I am getting to old for this sport.

I hit the ball hard. It is sailing to right field with the speed of a rocket ship. Ha! I laugh as I take off running. This is good, as I round first heading to second. The fielder bobbles and I see third base easily in my sights.

The right fielder must have a rocket arm because I see the base coach waving me to slide! I go down hard. Snap! Ankle turns sideways. Pain shoots up my leg into my brain! Instant swelling!

The 100 Word Challenge is a writing prompt hosted by Velvet Verbosity. The idea is to take a single theme, either through prose or verse, and tell a story in only 100 words.. no more, no less. The theme this week is ‘Swollen.’ The Challenge has moved to a temporary home, and Lou is graciously acting as the host.

 

March 30, 2010

Family Fire Re-Cap…

Posted by Eric under Family, Personal Notes | Tags: , |
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As I had briefly touched on yesterday my daughters home, pets, years of accumulated what-nots, furniture, every piece of clothing and other miscellaneous property that would cover everything else (literally everything) went up in an inferno…

They are trying to pick up the pieces and putting their faith in God at this hour. Their community, friends, and family are starting to pull together and helping out in a myriad of ways.

It goes without saying; that having lost it all, it’s going to take some time for them to get back on track emotionally and of course financially. I’m doing as much as I can as a disabled veteran with my income, more importantly with my unconditional love and support. I always have and I always will go above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to my girls.

Semper Fidelis – Always Faithful: To God, Country, Corps, and Family.



Genoa home destroyed by fire
March 30, 2010 @ 12:00 AM

The Herald-Dispatch

GENOA, W.Va. — An early morning fire in Genoa completely destroyed a home on Driftcreek Road on Monday. There was no one home at the time, but a small dog is believed to have been inside at the time.

Volunteer fire and rescue crews from Dunlow, Wayne and East Lynn responded to the fire at 8 a.m. Monday at the two-story, single-family residence. There were six firetrucks on the scene, but Dunlow volunteer and paid EMT Pat Beckett said firefighters had to relay water up the hill to the home via the narrow, blacktop driveway. The house was fully engulfed when the crews arrived.

The home was being rented, and both the homeowner and the tenant arrived at the scene before it was cleared. They had been at work at the time the fire started.

“The deck to the house was all that was standing,” Beckett said, adding that the home had a recent addition and probably was not more than 25 years old.

Source

I have established a way to donate; I feel kinda strange about doing that, but anything anyone can help out with be it pocket change, prayers, or simply keeping them in your thoughts is all a dad can ask for, very gracious, and much appreciated.

 

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