Time Off?

I am more than a little insulted by the comment I've heard more than once in the past two months, "Are you enjoying your time off?"  Seriously?  Is that what you think I am doing?

I'm a full-time caregiver.  I resigned my position at school because my husband needed my support at home.   We were fortunate that he could come to work with me and offer his services as a volunteer so that I could keep an eye on him and not leave him home alone.  It was a quick fix, and while he still volunteers when he is able, taking him to work with me was not a long term solution.

Yes, I'm at home.  But guess what?  I am working.  Not only am I providing 24 hour support for my husband, I am the Volunteer Coordinator for Family Of a Vet, an AMAZING non-profit organization that is working tirelessly for veterans and familes.  FOV currently has almost 250 Grassroots Volunteers.  Through our website, facebook page, and social media we reach tens of thousands of people each month!  I am on call around the clock to provide support and resources for our members. The past two months have been filled with late FOV nights, and busy days.  Here is a run-down of what I do:

• advocate for veterans and families
• locate and provide resources
• research
• moderate group rooms online
• offer ongoing support to our members online and through email and phone calls
• manage the "virtual" volunteer database
• coordinate and host the weekly Caregiver's Edition of our Life After Combat Blog Talk Radio Show
• coordinate with staff on projects including our blogs, fundraising, website, networking
• use social media to raise awareness of veterans issues

I may not be working in the conventional sense, but I'm making a difference in the lives of veterans and families.  I am providing the support I wish I'd had six years ago when we started this crazy roller coaster life of uncertainty.

You may think I'm just goofing off, but actually facebook is my office. Family Of a Vet is a non-profit run by veterans and family members who *GET IT* and are trying to reach out to others who are struggling like us to help and offer support and education.

Shared by Family Of a Vet, Inc., a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to helping veterans and their families learn how to cope with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), TBI (traumatic brain injury) and life after combat through real-world, plain language education and resources for heroes, families, and communities.

If you know a veteran or loved one that we can help, please encourage them to visit us:

One the web - www.familyofavet.com 

On facebook - www.facebook.com/lifeaftercombat

On Twitter - www.twitter.com/familyofavet

On our blog - http://blog.familyofavet.com/

On Blog Talk Radio - www.blogtalkradio.com/familyofavet

On YouTube - www.youtube.com/familyofavet

At Last

http://www.aberdeennews.com/news/aan-six-years-after-injury-aberdeen-soldier-awarded-purple-heart-20120211,0,699253.story

Sometimes life with PTSD means. . . part 3

**This album is a collection of thoughts & quotes from Veterans and those who love them who are living life with PTSD. If you'd like to submit a quote of approximately 70 words or less to possibly be included in this album, please send it to info-at-familyofavet.com.**

Shared by Family Of a Vet, Inc., a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to helping veterans and their families learn how to cope with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), TBI (traumatic brain injury) and life after combat through real-world, plain language education and resources for heroes, families, and communities.
If you know a Veteran or loved one that we can help, please encourage them to visit us:

On the web - http://www.familyofavet.com/
On Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/lifeaftercombat
On Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/familyofavet
On our blog - http://blog.familyofavet.com/
On BlogTalk Radio - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/familyofavet
On YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/familyofavet

Sometimes life with PTSD means. . . part 2

~Wife of a Veteran with PTSD

~Wife of a Wounded Hero

~Wife of a Hero with PTSD & TBI

**This album is a collection of thoughts & quotes from Veterans and those who love them who are living life with PTSD. If you'd like to submit a quote of approximately 70 words or less to possibly be included in this album, please send it to info-at-familyofavet.com.**

Shared by Family Of a Vet, Inc., a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to helping veterans and their families learn how to cope with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), TBI (traumatic brain injury) and life after combat through real-world, plain language education and resources for heroes, families, and communities.

If you know a Veteran or loved one that we can help, please encourage them to visit us:

On the web - http://www.familyofavet.com/
On Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/lifeaftercombat
On Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/familyofavet
On our blog - http://blog.familyofavet.com/
On BlogTalk Radio - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/familyofavet
On YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/familyofavet

Sometimes life with PTSD means. . .

~Veteran, US Army (Desert Storm)

 ~A Veteran Struggling with PTSD
 

 ~Wife of a Combat Veteran with PTSD
 

 ~Combat Veteran with PTSD

~Combat Veteran with PTSD

**This album is a collection of thoughts & quotes from Veterans and those who love them who are living life with PTSD. If you'd like to submit a quote of approximately 70 words or less to possibly be included in this album, please send it to info@familyofavet.com.**

Shared by Family Of a Vet, Inc., a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to helping veterans and their families learn how to cope with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), TBI (traumatic brain injury) and life after combat through real-world, plain language education and resources for heroes, families, and communities.

If you know a Veteran or loved one that we can help, please encourage them to visit us:

On the web - http://www.familyofavet.com/
On Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/lifeaftercombat
On Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/familyofavet
On our blog - http://blog.familyofavet.com/
On BlogTalk Radio - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/familyofavet
On YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/familyofavet

Goodbye 2011

January--boring. . . . .

February--perpetual snow, one of the snowiest
winters on record in SD

Keeley's 17th

March--24 hours in Seattle and dinner at
the top of the Space Needle

April--Junior Prom

May--Speaking at the Canadian Embassy in DC

There goes Prince Charles!

June--US Cycling Nationals in Augusta, GA

July--Dinner with family

USABA Rocky Mountain State Games

August--LAS VEGAS with Christina

Fremont Street

September--Touring the Black Hills with Lou

October--Erin's graduation from Aveda Institute

Pumpkin carving

November--fishing

Veterans Day Program

December--Meeting Kateri at the Whistle Stop Diner

Decorating cookies

Wounded, Ill, and Injured Compensation and Benefits Handbook

DoD Releases Updated Compensation and Benefits Handbook to Assist Wounded, Ill and Injured Service Members and Their Families

Make The Connection

Make The Connection

Connecting Veterans and their friends and family members with information, resources, and solutions to issues affecting their health, well-being, and everyday lives. Hear inspiring stories of strength. Learn what has worked for other Veterans. Discover positive steps you can take—all in the words of Veterans just like you.

Learn more about MakeTheConnection.net

Update time!

While reading my notes I realized it has been a loooooooong time since I gave any real updates, so here goes!

Sean's application to the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) that we worked so hard to submit this spring was rejected in July because he is not an active duty soldier and does not intend to return to active duty status.  Sean was understandably disappointed, but by the time we found out he was not accepted I already had a new seed planted in my brain.

We applied with the Palo Alto VA in California for their Comprehensive Neurological Vision Rehabilitation program for TBI/vision rehab.  In September Sean had the last of the preliminary exams done and his referral was complete.  The facility is undergoing a move, so his intake will likely take place in January.  This program will provide Sean with a thorough two-week evaluation for all health issues, including vision, and up to eight weeks inpatient TBI rehab.

We are incredibly anxious to get this placement under way.  Seven + months have passed since we began the application process with the NICoE.  I realize it is a slow process, but this is getting ridiculous.

As part of his evaluation we are hoping to get an accurate diagnosis to *finally* determine if his vision loss is due to his TBI.  As I've mentioned before, it has been mentioned in his record that his vision loss might be due to conversion disorder.  His primary care doctor and polytrauma doctors do not agree.  The civilian neuro-opthalmologist we saw last spring does not agree.  The VA psychiatrist who completed his neuro psychological evaluation in 2010 does not agree.  However, it seems every doctor who has evaluated Sean for the purposes of his Army MEB/PEB has jumped on the conversion disorder diagnosis.  Several of them believe so strongly after reading his records that they don't take time to do any evaluations or examinations in the office until AFTER they have defined conversion disorder and tried to get us to say we agree. It is still my belief that they are trying to save themselves money by not addressing the vision loss as physical.

Now, if it turns out that he really is suffering from a conversion disorder, then so be it.  We will continue to attend his therapy sessions and address it.  There is no real treatment or cure.  It might get better with therapy and time, it might not. 

The DSM-IV-TR states that conversion symptoms will disappear in most cases within two weeks in those hospitalized.  Follow this link to read more about conversion disorder.  According to Med Line Plus, conversion disorder symptoms usually last for days to weeks and may go away suddenly.  In December, it will have been 3 years since Sean lost his vision.

So. . . we have some fears about how this will affect us.

Since conversion disorder is not a permanent disability, Sean would not be able to get his permanent and total rating from the VA.  He would not qualify for the adaptive housing grant, vehicle grant, or DEA money for the kids for college.  We don't know if it would affect his affiliation with the BVA, but hopefully not unless his vision comes back.  He would not qualify to participate in activities with USABA.  It could affect my status as a caregiver since the primary reason he needs care is for blindness.  It will affect his MEB.  He will not qualify for a guide dog.  

All of these issues are workable and I try not to think about them much. 

Sean already has a list of "failures" he works from.  He can't get his purple heart and has to prove he was injured (again).  He has worked for four years to get his MEB/PEB completed--he can't serve, but he can't get out, and the doctors don't belive him.  He was denied TSGLI because he did not lose his vision within two years of his injury (TSGLI is irrelevant if he has conversion disorder).  Without his permanent and total rating from the VA he cannot use the housing grant to make improvements to the house and he does not qualify for a grant to replace his vehicle.  He had to fight over and over to get his tandem bike approved from the VA.  He has had issues using his GI Bill for his children.  He  had to give up his job.  I gave up mine. 

All of these issues come together in Sean's head to say, "Your injury is not important to us."  He says, "I was promised these benefits in return for my service, but it's their job to review and deny me unless I can prove I deserve it, so what's the point?"

Well, not a bright and sunny post, but this is what is on our minds.  This fall has been very busy, so we are working hard to get back on a schedule and have some down time.  The good news is the bike was finally approved and after some prodding, it was paid for and ordered.  It will be ready for him this spring!

The Love Letter Campaign

Please share and help us tell the Love Stories of heroes and families (like us!) who are building lives together with the visible and invisible injuries of war in their midst!

Today, on Veteran's Day (and ending on Valentine's Day), Family of a Vet is launching The Love Letter Campaign... a campaign to encourage those who love a hero to write a letter sharing their story (where they started, what they've faced together, and why their love endures). It's not just for spouses, but also for parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. It's about telling the "rest" of our stories... stories that continue despite PTSD, TBI, and the challenges of life after combat.

Here's the main page for the campaign: http://www.familyofavet.com/love_letters.html where you can read more about the project and submit your own letter.  Please share your story with Family of a Vet and share this post to help us spread the word

My letter to Sean is here Being Loved By You.