I was interested in a blog at award-winning lawyer Michael Kaplen’s site this morning Is the VA failing our brain injured troops?
The blog alerted me to a troubling article published in yesterday's USA TODAY about VA'S lack of care for brain injured veterans.
If you have read my posts lately on war language… rewiring our brains for peace… you’ll see my serious questions about our dangerous 
emphasis on war to solve conflicts… and my suggestions for ways we could rewire more brains for brilliant peace plans that we pretty much ignore.
Nevertheless...my UTMOST respect and appreciation for our amazing troops however, has NEVER BEEN HIGHER. I teach university courses to many amazing troops in Online universities - and folks – we have the best in humanity out there fighting these bloody wars. I share deeply...Michael’s concerns for brain injured troops ...for just that reason. These men and women deserve the best mental care we have to offer!
Apparently….”Veterans Administration has come under increasing criticism for the way that they are caring for the rehabilitation of returning troops suffering from a brain injury. Claims that the VA is dumping brain injured troops in nursing homes instead of specialized brain injury rehabilitation facilities, the failure to have experienced personnel who are familiar with traumatic brain injury, improperly cutting off treatment before rehabilitation is complete are common complaints made by family members.”
According to Michael’s report … “these complaints have been supported in a report by Veteran's Affairs Inspector Generals office who gave the VA poor grades for its handling of the recovery needs of returning soldiers suffering the affects of bran trauma.” Thanks Michael for all you do to support brain injured troops!
My questions is: What else can we do to help injured troops restore their minds… and how could we let Congress know we expect quality care for men and women left with brain damage… after following orders to fight for our freedom. What do you think?
I couldn't agree more that America's best and brightest deserve nothing short of the absolute best post-traumatic care available. I think we tend to overlook the fact that there are more necessities for post-traumatic care due to the increased level of proficiency by our Armed Forces in everything from first aid, through evacuation, to battlefield combat support hospitals. 1 out of every three casualties in Vietnam died. Today American fighters survive amazing injuries: http://www.blackfive.net/main/2003/10/saving_speciali.html
Want to be truly amazed at what the human body can survive? This is a former Artilleryman from FT Sill, Oklahoma...still proudly willing to defend our flag. You can see the love of our country in his eyes. What will you sacrifice for our country
Follow this link:
http://www.fisherhousepa.com/SanMateoCountyTimes04-04.pdf
God Bless our Soldiers and all who support them.
Posted by: Warren | August 1, 2006 11:42 AM | Permalink to Comment