Family of a Vet

I have joined the Grassroots Team of Family of a Vet!  This incredible group was started four years ago by the wife of a wounded veteran who was frustrated by the lack of practical information on  TBI, PTSD, and other issues affecting military and veteran families.  The website now has 100s of pages of information and the team is working to distribute information around the nation. 

Since I am new to the organization, I can by no means do it justice by my description.  Please check out the links below and take some time to explore all the information. 

Earlier this summer I worked on the PTSD and TBI Education packet linked below.  I had the opportunity participate in a mock-up of the new VA Caregiver app being developed for the iPhone and iPad.  I am currently researching topics to write new articles. 

The support and friendship at Family of a Vet is amazing!  I feel I have a whole new circle of friends who really "get it" and understand where we are in our lives because they have been there. 

Family of a Vet Website

About Family of a Vet

Family of a Vet's Blog

Awesome handout explaining TBI and PTSD and background on FOV

Free Packets available from Family of a Vet:

Ready-to-use PTSD and TBI information for FRGs

Ready-to-use packet: Combat PTSD and the Legal System

Ready-to-use PTSD and TBI Education Packet for Parents and Teachers

★★★Help a HERO while you SHOP!★★★
To shop on AMAZON.COM, start with this link, spend the same amount
of money, but help us raise money for FamilyOfaVet.com
(money which helps us reach out and support Veterans and
families who are struggling with life after combat!)
http://tinyurl.com/Shop4FOV

Bombs' Hidden Impact: The Brain War

Bombs' hidden impact: The brain war from Nature News

Wartime explosions may be creating an epidemic of brain damage — and a major challenge for scientists.

The VA Disability Claim Steps That the Professionals Recommend

PRO TIPS; THE VA DISABILITY CLAIM STEPS THAT THE PROFESSIONALS RECOMMEND

The Only Thing Worth Dying For

Watch the incredible story about ODA 574's mission in Afghanistan to defeat the Taliban in late 2001. 

The Special Forces of ODA 574 Episode 1: "The Calling"

The Special Forces of ODA 574 Episode 2: "The Courageous"

The Special Forces of ODA 574 Episode 3: "The Sacrifice"

On November 14, 2001 a U.S. Special Forces team of Green Berets known as ODA 574 infiltrated the mountains of southern Afghanistan to carry out a tribal revolt against the Taliban. Learn more about ODA 574 in The Only Thing Worth Dying For: How Eleven Green Berets Forged a New Afghanistan by Eric Blehm.

Sean met Gil Magallanes and his wife Sherry in Sun Valley, Idaho during his fly-fishing trip in September 2009. 
You Tube Book Trailer

Rocky Mountain State Games

Sean spent the last week of July in Colorado Springs for USABA's Operation Mission Vision.  The athletes were men and women with varying degress of vision loss.  They spent the week training in a variety of sports and concluded the week by competing in the Rocky Mountain State Games.

The discus group

Electric Air Rifle

Olympic Training Center

Judo

Olympic Training Center

Sean participated in discus, swimming, judo, cycling, archery, air rifle, and shot put.  He won a bronze medal in shot put during the Rocky Mountain State Games.  He had a fantastic week!

Caring for Adults with Cognitive and Memory Impairments

Caring for Adults with Cognitive and Memory Impairments
Excellent article on caregiving from brainline.org.  Especially good for new caregivers, but a good refresher for the rest of us.

PTSD Fact Sheet: Frequently Asked Questions

PTSD Fact Sheet: Frequently Asked Questions from brainlinemilitary.org

Knocked Out: Bell Ringing

Knocked Out: Bell Ringing from the Houston Press

Toxic Trash: The Burn Pits of Iraq and Afghanistan

Toxic Trash: The Burn Pits of Iraq and Afghanistan from Oxford American
Billy McKenna and Kevin Wilkins survived Iraq—and died at home.

FREE Parent/Teacher Packet from Family of a Vet

Living with TBI/PTSD?  Here is an informational packet to help you share with your child's teacher and tips to help you at home.

Teaching students whose parents have TBI/PTSD?  Not sure?  The information in this packet can help you with all children and parents.

Request Free Parent/Teacher Packet

TOPICS COVERED

• Tips for Parents: Navigating the School Year in a PTSD/TBI Household
• About Our Family: Help discussing your family with a new teacher
• What Does PTSD Look Like?
• How Does PTSD Change the Brain?
• PTSD Symptoms: Clinical vs. Real World Terms
• Traumatic Brain Injury: Symptoms & Tips for Working with Parents who Have TBI
• Secondary PTSD in Children
• How PTSD Impacts Children
• Communicating with a Parent who has PTSD or TBI
• Effective Conferences with PTSD or TBI Parents
• Helping Students Through Difficult Days
• Understanding PTSD & How to Make a Difference

www.familyofavet.com