Man lately I've hearing alot of stories about our soilders coming home from the war amputated and how our government is giving them the run around.I watched a show not to long ago about this soilder who lost his arm and leg in Iraq,he was trying to get disability from the government.It was obvious that he needed the help, but it was so much red tape involved he wanted to give up.I just didn't understand that situation at all, here you are fighting for your country and you get injured and the government ignores you,seems like our priorities are mixed up.

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Derrick Lewis

Yes our Veterns dont get what they need they are out here fightening for us our Country and come home in bad shape. Our Goverment does not help them they give them the run around . Its Sad I pray everday for our Soldiers I have a Grandson which is in Army hes not in Iraq Yet ? I pray cause no part of our Service men where ever they are at are NOT safe nowdays . Be sure Keep all our Soldiers in your Prayers .

Ampufree wrote: Man lately I've hearing alot of stories about our soilders coming home from the war amputated and how our government is giving them the run around.I watched a show not to long ago about this soilder who lost his arm and leg in Iraq,he was trying to get disability from the government.It was obvious that he needed the help, but it was so much red tape involved he wanted to give up.I just didn't understand that situation at all, here you are fighting for your country and you get injured and the government ignores you,seems like our priorities are mixed up.

I don't wish to sound ungrateful for your concern, but have you been to WRAMC or BAMC and their MATC recovery/therapy centers? Unfortunately, we must endure the same bureaucracy that anyone encounters when dealing with the government. In my year at WRAMC, I encountered no shortage of available resources to help, but it all came with a measure of paperwork. Don't believe everything you see in the press. They'll find the non-diamond-in-the-rough to broadcast the drama. Many of my brothers and sisters trudged (tread carefully) through, and none of them have complained to me that I know of. Hopefully, the press coverage keeps the visibility up, thus cutting through the red-tape as well, but to slam the whole system is irresponsible, and not honorable to those that have successfully been able to come out of the fire, and return home (even if it is in pieces).

I have to agree with Gawain in the responce to the post. There is no shortage of oportunities for the service member to recieve the help they need it is a matter of asking questions and seeking out the help nothing is free in this world and just because we have lost a limb doesn't mean that we get to become lazy. I spent nine months at WRAMC after becoming a bk on my right side. In those nine months I was able to get all the help I needed. I was able to run and returned to my active duty job in the army after that time. So be assured there are opportunities for the amputee out there we just have to stop feeling sorry for ourselves, pick ourselves up and continue. After all we aren't dead yet. If anything we have a greater love of life.

Gawain and Chris are absolutely right. I spent 9 months or so at Bethesda National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed in 2004-5. In that time frame I saw NONE of the things that was on the news when WRAMC was being beat up for substandard facilities. Although I didnt go everywhere at WRAMC, I went a lot of places, Now I'm still on active duty, so I havent done my paperwork to receive disability, but I was told up front that I needed to submit it about a year before I want to retire, so that it has time to make it through the buracracy. In short it goes back to what I devoutly believe- All media sources are so desperate to sell papers/airtime/etc that they sensationalize a story rather than report the facts. Look at the Haditha "massacre". That happened what 3 years ago? And now only one person is still pending court. Although a fictional story, read Micheal creightons "state of Fear"

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Jack

I can't change the system in the way our goverment works but I know what I can change is the way the soliders have to deal with their loss of limbs. Thats why we have to get certified thru the ACA to peer train. I did it and now I go to hospitals and talk to new amputees. It helps them deal with how they live life now. It is not only for the amputee it helps the famlies out just as much, because everyone around that person feels something from it. All you have to do is call your local hospital and ask to stop in and talk with new amputees, and don't forget to call your local Vet hospital they need you too. You may think that I never got shot at or had an IED go off under your truck, Thats true but your there to help with the transition to being an amputee. Thats the way you need to think. Teach the tricks and the diff ways to do things, tell them what you know and that is the life of an amputee. What is nice about this is you build friendships and maybe it will help you deal with your problems also. Thanks for listening Todd

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Todd B