Guys, I worked at the VA as a nurse for 14 years. I tried to be a good nurse (Mental Health/substance abuse units). But even 17 years later, I wonder whether I could have been more compassionate, understanding, aware. Most of the front line staff do give a damn about our patients. But there was no support and, more importantly, no education to help me, or my peers, do a better job of caring for you. I knew I had to leave when I saw no plan for absorbing GWOT vets in a system that had WW2 and Korea vets in their 80s and 90s and VN vets pushing 60. So please accept, on behalf of all the patients I cared for, my apology for being so unaware.
My first husband (after nearly 15 years, we both couldn't make it across his PTSD and at the time my own trauma I was working through), was an infantry marine on the first push to Baghdad. He came back with PTSD and moral injury that worsened over the years (before PTSD was addressed mainstream medical). We went to multiple VAs in Cali. Every single time we started the process over, he had to re-bare his soul with total strangers who has the power to totally affect a Veteran's case. Add that to all of the other issues over the years (that's if the vet has the ability and will to keep pressing on), the system has too many barriers stacked against vets who genuinely need the help.
Hi, Steph. Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate it. I don't know the answer on how to get this thing reformed. But I know that there is a wave of retired servicemembers heading to the VA who spent 20 years fighting overseas in the GWOT. The VA is not prepared; but in all fairness to them, neither is the American public. This is what happens when an all-volunteer force fights a long war.
I agree 100%. Sebastian Junger's book, Tribe, talks about how other societies, past and recent, share the load of burden with their warriors and how that helps with their transition back to "civilized" society. I personally cannot see the US getting there, but it has influenced the way I treat our deployers who have returned and how I talk about the deployed with those under my charge with regards to our reintegration culture.
This to me is even more shameful than the betrayal of our Afghan allies. I’m so so sorry for you and America’s brave 1%. I’m sorry for those who love you. The time, courage, resources and effort to stick with the process without giving up prolly has much to do with so many veterans being homeless. I
like Jen’s book recommend.
And on a lighter note : Bucky is a dear/deer! Keep writing.
I highly recommend fellow veteran Kelly Clark’s book Desolation Ghosts. I’d like to see this on the desk of every member of Congress. It’s a good read too!
I would think that the list of physical trauma and disabilities would be enough to qualify you for benefits. I cannot imagine trusting anyone enough to "bare my soul" during the first meeting and in one short session. Folks often are in therapy for a while - with the same doctor - before sharing all the traumas. I am so sorry that you and so many others have had to go through such a dehumanizing and traumatic experience.
I sense a mistrust of people at the root. Not the author, but the system. I can't get past how it all seems designed to avoid “fraud” and the implications of such. Compare it to the welfare system. My understanding from nothing more than keeping up with mainstream news and observation is that individual cases of welfare fraud are not rampant. That part has been politicized, but the fraud now is more technical and organized, and I don't know much else than that.
That's as far as my comparison goes with the VA, but that starting point of mistrust echoes, to me, and that itself is not publicized as much. Somewhat unusual for me, and related to this post, is the first meeting with a psychologist. This should be done first after minimal, simple paperwork. Perhaps this leads to a more open conversation and further work on mental health, at least offering options a person had not considered. Basically, more caring and less vetting.
Someone would have to tell me that is too utopian. Heck, I'm not the type to want to lay it all out for a shrink, and I'm not saying make it a requirement for therapy or anything. Just options, and prioritizing actual human contact as quickly as possible.
Imagine being the bureaucrat who decides too much vetting is blocking veterans from the care they've earned. So they relax the regs.
Now imagine that bureaucrat waking up to the news that Project Veritas or book burning mamas or an obscure Congresswoman from Georgia is announcing that this is fraud!!
There's no trust because most of this country believes anyone using government services (except for congressmen and senators) are grifters and bureaucrats make easy targets.
It doesn't matter if research proves the approach is better. It's too easy to attack.
It's the same thing when applying for regular Disability too if you have any kind of "mental" anything. They want to weed out the grifters and users. But it such is a debilitating process especially if you're already suffering physically and mentally.
God love you Will. Keep speaking and writing the Truth. We all need to hear it and I hope writing it brings you relief as well. ❤️🇺🇸💙
Guys, I worked at the VA as a nurse for 14 years. I tried to be a good nurse (Mental Health/substance abuse units). But even 17 years later, I wonder whether I could have been more compassionate, understanding, aware. Most of the front line staff do give a damn about our patients. But there was no support and, more importantly, no education to help me, or my peers, do a better job of caring for you. I knew I had to leave when I saw no plan for absorbing GWOT vets in a system that had WW2 and Korea vets in their 80s and 90s and VN vets pushing 60. So please accept, on behalf of all the patients I cared for, my apology for being so unaware.
My first husband (after nearly 15 years, we both couldn't make it across his PTSD and at the time my own trauma I was working through), was an infantry marine on the first push to Baghdad. He came back with PTSD and moral injury that worsened over the years (before PTSD was addressed mainstream medical). We went to multiple VAs in Cali. Every single time we started the process over, he had to re-bare his soul with total strangers who has the power to totally affect a Veteran's case. Add that to all of the other issues over the years (that's if the vet has the ability and will to keep pressing on), the system has too many barriers stacked against vets who genuinely need the help.
Hi, Steph. Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate it. I don't know the answer on how to get this thing reformed. But I know that there is a wave of retired servicemembers heading to the VA who spent 20 years fighting overseas in the GWOT. The VA is not prepared; but in all fairness to them, neither is the American public. This is what happens when an all-volunteer force fights a long war.
I agree 100%. Sebastian Junger's book, Tribe, talks about how other societies, past and recent, share the load of burden with their warriors and how that helps with their transition back to "civilized" society. I personally cannot see the US getting there, but it has influenced the way I treat our deployers who have returned and how I talk about the deployed with those under my charge with regards to our reintegration culture.
This to me is even more shameful than the betrayal of our Afghan allies. I’m so so sorry for you and America’s brave 1%. I’m sorry for those who love you. The time, courage, resources and effort to stick with the process without giving up prolly has much to do with so many veterans being homeless. I
like Jen’s book recommend.
And on a lighter note : Bucky is a dear/deer! Keep writing.
Well, at least we know you can learn! I pointed out a little-known substack regulation— you cannot mention your dog without including a photo.
Bucky Boy is a winner! Commercially, soulfully, cutely, the bestest doggy of all time!!!!
Does he stick his big nose in the clothes hamper?
And…if you’re a female vet trying to secure VA services, add in at least 10% more aggravation and effort.
This is a comment on your disability list— impressive AND depressing.
I highly recommend fellow veteran Kelly Clark’s book Desolation Ghosts. I’d like to see this on the desk of every member of Congress. It’s a good read too!
https://www.amazon.com/Desolation-Ghosts-Kelly-Marie-Clark/dp/B0CFCTF1JC
My mistake. Tried again. It is available on Amazon.
Book is currently not available on Amazon.
And sadly not in libraries.
I would think that the list of physical trauma and disabilities would be enough to qualify you for benefits. I cannot imagine trusting anyone enough to "bare my soul" during the first meeting and in one short session. Folks often are in therapy for a while - with the same doctor - before sharing all the traumas. I am so sorry that you and so many others have had to go through such a dehumanizing and traumatic experience.
I sense a mistrust of people at the root. Not the author, but the system. I can't get past how it all seems designed to avoid “fraud” and the implications of such. Compare it to the welfare system. My understanding from nothing more than keeping up with mainstream news and observation is that individual cases of welfare fraud are not rampant. That part has been politicized, but the fraud now is more technical and organized, and I don't know much else than that.
That's as far as my comparison goes with the VA, but that starting point of mistrust echoes, to me, and that itself is not publicized as much. Somewhat unusual for me, and related to this post, is the first meeting with a psychologist. This should be done first after minimal, simple paperwork. Perhaps this leads to a more open conversation and further work on mental health, at least offering options a person had not considered. Basically, more caring and less vetting.
Someone would have to tell me that is too utopian. Heck, I'm not the type to want to lay it all out for a shrink, and I'm not saying make it a requirement for therapy or anything. Just options, and prioritizing actual human contact as quickly as possible.
Imagine being the bureaucrat who decides too much vetting is blocking veterans from the care they've earned. So they relax the regs.
Now imagine that bureaucrat waking up to the news that Project Veritas or book burning mamas or an obscure Congresswoman from Georgia is announcing that this is fraud!!
There's no trust because most of this country believes anyone using government services (except for congressmen and senators) are grifters and bureaucrats make easy targets.
It doesn't matter if research proves the approach is better. It's too easy to attack.
It's the same thing when applying for regular Disability too if you have any kind of "mental" anything. They want to weed out the grifters and users. But it such is a debilitating process especially if you're already suffering physically and mentally.
God love you Will. Keep speaking and writing the Truth. We all need to hear it and I hope writing it brings you relief as well. ❤️🇺🇸💙