So I was reading the news this afternoon and came across an article on TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury. This is one of the issues that AS deals with. This was one of the reasons we went to Walter Reed in the spring. It is becoming a more reconized and real after effect of the war.

Well, this article had some rather offensive, at lest to me, things to say in regards to soldiers who are suffering from TBI. Here is what it says,

” As more young men and women return from the war, TBI is a growing burden — for them, for the too-few doctors and programs available to treat them, and for taxpayers, who pay for their care and disability if they cannot hold jobs or make their way in the world.”

So my issue on it is this. Our soldiers are now a burden on tax payers when they come home injured? How the hell is that? We sent to them war on tax payer monies. Why not help heal them on tax dollars as well. It’s only right. They did not go to war to get hurt. They went to war to help. And now they are a burden??

I know my husband will never be the same person he was before he left. And I would, and try to, do whatever it took to help heal him. But I would never consider all the things we’ve been through a burden. It’s been a struggle but never a burden.
And as far as “holding a job and making thier way inthe world” goes. The military needs to be more adament on helping those who are having a hard time hleping themselves. They need to do more personal check-ins when soldiers come home. Make sure they are getting help , directing them to where they can get help if they need it, or just be a shoulder to lean on. I know it would have helped AS alot if this were the case for him. But he fell through the cracks when he got home. There needs to be more follow up care if soldiers are not in the enlisted, active military. Because no one knows what goes on each day a soldier is away from the war zone or his brother in arms.

So to the fruitloop who thinks my husband is a burden. To the country who sent him to war I think it is your obligation to help fix him.

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I was getting ready in the morning the other day. I was brushing my teeth and looked into the mirror. I sort of got lost staring at myself. Not in the conceded way but really looking at myself. I spit the toothpaste out, rinsed my mouth and leaned forward and looked into my eyes. These eyes look old I thought to myself. The crow feet wrinkles around my eyes. I use to think my skin was smooth and young looking. I’ve aged, alot. My face has some tiny scars that unless you looked at me you wouldn’t notice anymore. I can’t really remember what I use to really look like prior to Iraq.

I’ve been silent for a while. There are some things I am dealing with in light of my recent successes. Sometimes the brunt of old ’scars’ is hard to remove. No special cream to rub it away.

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If you remember this company from earlier this year. They were the ones that held a friendly Milblog competition and the winner received a generous prize. They also donated to various military organizations as well. So this post isn’t about this company but how this company has given back to military members. Their service is about using your existing VA Benefits. So I am relaying their service to you.

This is how they can help.

Using your VA Benefits shouldn’t be a hassle, especially when it comes to using the VA Loan program. This program is designed with the Veteran in mind for the purpose of being at competitive rates with little down payment. The VA home loan program insures the loan for the individual because while you were serving your country chances are you didn’t have a lot of time to save or build a lot of credit which could provide you with a conventional loan.

With a limit of $417,000 you could purchase a home in pretty much any where in the country. You just have to start out by obtaining your Certificate of Eligibility through the VA Office. This will allow the loan company to verify that you are qualified to receive a VA Home Loan.

There are many other great benefits that are provided by the VA as well including the GI Bill which provides money for college and VA Insurance policies for the individual veteran. Check out the www.va.gov website today and read more about your opportunities as a veteran.

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Hello to everyone. It has been sometime since anything new has been posted here. We have been busy. I want to let you all know how things have been going.

AS has finally finished all of the physical testing they wanted to do in order to determine how well his brain has healed. He was having some extremely bad headaches as well as the occasional slip ups with his speech and tremors. As you all know he went to Walter Reed in the spring for a battery of tests. The results from there came back at pretty normal ranges. Since being home he most recently underwent an MRI and a PEDS scan. They both concluded that there was no swelling, no bleeding, and no blood clots, and ultimately normal brain function. So he is in the clear physically. That was a big relief for the both of us.

Earlier this summer we were treated to a week away courtesy of Wounded Warrior Project. It was fantastic! Thank you for the wonderful memories and family time. The kids had a great time fishing with daddy, boating, golfing, and taking in the sights. While we were there our Project hosts treated us, AS and I, to a night out. We left the kids with a sitter and spent some alone time. We happened to be there 4^th of July week and had a special treat. We got to hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence aboard an old battle ship. They fired their cannons a few times as well. The kids, especially the boys, really enjoyed that.

Now, whilst on vacation we learned that one of the guy’s he was with in Iraq lived right up the road from where we were staying. It happened to be the gentleman who called me to let me know AS had been hurt. We set up a night to get together with him and his wife. I must admit I had mixed feeling on this. I remember talking to him and how I felt. I was nervous to meet the man behind the voice. When we finally met I saw this man who was very polite and appreciative to his wife, involved with caring for his daughter, and very humble about being the one to call his soldier’s spouses when the need arouse. I didn’t know how to thank him for calling me or what a relief it was to know he was coherent and able to walk. I did manage to say Thank You but that was about it. He and AS spent most of the time talking about where the guys were, what they did after he left, and so on. It was a good visit for him. It helped him heal a little bit I think.

Let’s see… what else has gone on. Oh, the job thing he talked about. He did get the position he was hoping for!! It was a leap for him career wise. He likes this new position a lot. In the future it will require some travel, but that’s good for him. He now works from home every day. It’s nice for him to be able to do that.

As we close out the summer I must say it has been an eventful one and an emotional one for both of us. Knowing that his brain injuries are healed has been a relief. There are still things that need to be worked out but we will work on them in time. I hope all you have been having a great summer.

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Have you ever wondered what your life would of been like if you changed even the smallest decisions? You know the ones that resulted into one thing that led to another that eventually brought on something that changed your life forever. I think about it every now and then. I will say that I believe in fate wholeheartedly. Just look at the various paths you’ve taken in life and see where you are now. I know that if I would have worked instead of an annual training 4 years ago then I would have never started this blog. That in itself had a big impact on my life. I’ve met some great people, written a book, been published in a few others and have helped countless people. The helping people part is what’s really important to me. I am anonymous so I don’t enjoy the notoriety attached. I think its best in a way. It goes with my personality and military job description.

So with all that being said. When you make that next decision, large or small, don’t think about it. Just do it because you never know where it will lead you. Live your life and don’t try, just do.

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