This issue would appear, on the surface to be cut and dry - the VA is understaffed, underfunded, and overwhelmed. The truth is not that simple and anyone paying attention knows it. There has been a coordinated PR campaign by the IAVA among others to 'motivate' the VA to square themselves away.
Unfortunately, I believe that, while they are making life uncomfortable for politicians and pressuring them to end the claims backlog, the way in which the IAVA has gone about it has caused too many veterans to not trust the VA. This loss of trust is tragic. It keeps many from coming forward to get the help they desperately need. Pushing for reform cannot be done quickly and piecemeal. Let's examine the issues with the VA more closely:
Needless to say, there are a lot of problems at the VA. Many of them are due to the fact that the majority of our politicians who voted for sending us to war accounted for the enduring costs associated with waging it. Just remember - there's always three sides to every story: Yours, Mine, and somewhere in the middle lies the truth.
I often wonder if you subjected those who MAKE the decisions to the "care" offered to soldiers, how quickly things would change? 6/14/2013 01:58:38 pm
I am doing my best. I also remain hopeful that lasting change will occur at the VA.
Judith Kochendofer
6/12/2013 01:28:12 pm
I am a 73 year old woman, suffering for years with PTSD and didn't know what PTSD was. I have fought for 54 years to be exonerated in a Sexual Abuse when I was only 18, multiple times. I was discharged and didn't know why or what I could have done The Dr.s knew and posted that I was not promiscuous and treated me for many different things in a year. If I knew then what I know now, my life would have been completely different. I am happy to have my 5 children, later, but what I went through, has affected not only my life, but my children's also. I am seeing the VA trying to do right, but are falling short as the staff is far overworked and even tho' they try the job is not getting done. I need a shrink, to help me deal with the trauma of my life. I was given 6 electro treatments when I was in my prime. I was able to continue living but I lost my edge, which was better than loosing my life. I foolishly tried 6 or 7 times to end my life. I was really sure I didn't deserve to life, let alone be a mother to 5. My eldest son, was in the navy for 8 years, and was discharged for defending his civil rights. He came home depressed and attempted to kill himself as well. He too felt his life was ruined He sustained injuries to his knee and hearing. He was on a flight deck directing airplanes. He bought a motorcycle and yes he died shortly there after. At age 28, He left 2 boys behind at age 3 and newborn. They did not have a 6/14/2013 01:57:19 pm
Thanks for sharing this. I am sorry that your family has gone through so much. As for Congress, I share your disgust.
Jackson
6/14/2013 01:42:23 pm
Thanks for writing this. Now that I am going through an increasingly bitter legal separation/divorce probably the question has been raised about why I don't have VA help. I usually say I just can't deal with the bull but that's only half, I also just don't trust them. It's sad b/c for at least 2+ years that's something I have thought about. 6/14/2013 02:12:05 pm
Jackson, Comments are closed.
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Max HarrisAs I continue my life with PTSD, I will share my challenges and discoveries on this blog. Archives
October 2018
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