Merry Christmas

I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to everybody, and that I hope you have a safe holiday season with loved ones.  I know that many of the people that read this blog are not in the best of situations, whether it is a disability or otherwise, but remember that there is always somebody in a worse situation and be happy for what you do have.  It can be hard, but just do it.  Everybody that loves you wants to see you in a good mood, and so do I.

Feel free to share your holiday experiences with all of us, as I am about to.

My neice was born a couple of weeks ago, and she is absolutely beautiful.  My brother, her dad, was in Afghanistan when she was born, but he has been able to come home on leave to see her and his wife.  They were able to spend Christmas together, and they could not be happier.  I am very grateful to have an addition to the family, and I cannot wait to see her!

Mya Rhea Dade

Guest Post about PTSD Treatment

Drug Treatments & Alternatives for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
The most common psychotherapy and prescription treatments for PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that often develops following a traumatic event involving the threat of your personal safety. It can manifest itself in anyone, at any age, but typically develops following horrific events—such as a car crash or a natural disaster—or after a traumatic injury or threat of one’s safety—take an ongoing danger such as child abuse or even war.

The National Institute of Mental Health links PTSD with numerous symptoms, including:

• Flashbacks
• Bad dreams
• Frightening thoughts
• Feelings of guilt
• Worry/anxiety
• Depression
• Fear avoidance behavior
• Memory problems
• Loss of interest in social activities
• Persistent feelings of stress and tension
• Irritability
• Sleeplessness or insomnia

Common drug treatments for PTSD

My Story of Military Abuse Part 3: Conclusion

After I got back from my surgery and leave, things did change.  I had been working in my battalion personnel office and living in the Bachelors Enlisted Quarters prior to my surgery, but when I got back I was given an ultimatum that changed my life.  My Platoon Drill Sargent, a man that I trusted, approached me and told me that we needed to talk in a private area.  When we got to an empty room, he told me that I had two options:  to go back into full training or they would put me in for a dishonorable discharge and I would receive no benefits for my surgically repaired hip.  He told me that they wouldn't force me to do anything that would hurt me when I got back into training, and that I would not have to repeat any training I had already completed.  Because I wanted to make the Army a 20 year career, I chose to go back into training.

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My Story of Military Abuse Part 2

After I was given the crutches, I was not able to get back into full training and I had to stay after the graduation of my basic training company.  Three months after graduation, I had my first hip operation in Philadelphia and was sent home for a month to recover.  It was amazing how much better I felt after that surgery.  I was able to walk without assistance from a cane or crutches, and I felt confident that I would be back to training in no time.  I went through physical therapy and did not get back to the point where I could train so I started working in my battalion personnel office.

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My Story of Military Abuse Part 1

Seven years ago I signed up for the Army with the intention of being the best paratrooper and best Ranger I could possibly be.  I was physically fit and ready to get past basic training with no trouble.  It was hard leaving my family and new girlfriend, but I did it and was excited for the next 14 weeks of infantry training before I could see my family again at graduation.  I knew that I was going to make the military a 20 year career and that I was going to do some good things for my country.

Me taking inventory of our weapons.

VA PTSD Disability Ratings

Today, many veterans are applying for a disability rating because of their PTSD.  It sounds to me that many that have applied have not been granted a rating that is fair.  It almost seems that the Department of Veterans' Affairs does not realize how debilitating it can be to not be able to sleep at night or to constantly re-live the traumatic events that are causing the PTSD.  This is something that I have lived with for the past five years, and at times it has been difficult to even get out of bed or go out in public.  I have been so agrivated at times that it is hard not to snap on the person who mildly irritates me, and at times I have felt my blood boiling over something that did not really matter.

Debt Deal and Veteran's Benefits

The new debt deal was signed and the government has to make billions of dollars in cuts to government spending.  Multiple sources have stated that these cuts will not affect veteran's benefits, but I am a bit skeptical.  The main reason that I am not so sure that this will not affect benefits is that the government is likely to stop hiring new positions, and we have already seen hiring freezes within the VA.  There are millions of new benefit claims each year and that number is growing.  If they cannot hire more people to compensate for all of these new claims it will make each claim take longer to approve.

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