my on going struggle with the VA...

[MORTARDUDE]

Got to go to my 10 AM meeting at the Vet Center. Missed almost a month because of the movie work on Mondays.

We had a real good session. For those that don't knowm I applied 13 months ago for a slot in the PCT / PTSD clinic at the Memphis Vet Center. I found out today that they have lost one of the counselors and it could be next Jan. or Feb. before I get to go there. I called Little Rock today and it looks like Jan. or later for the 7 week in the hospital PTSD treatment...

This really sucks.

Anyway, I got a booklet today called "Veterans and Families Guide to Recovering from PTSD". The back says "Provided Courtesy of Military Order Purple Heart Service Foundation"

and www.purpleheart.org/service.htm

It is in a word, wonderful. I do not know why the VA didn't produce something like this. I have an extra copy I will mail someone if you PM me. I also got 2 of the large "Vietnam Veteran" bumper stickers like I have on my car.. the first two who PM me will get them in the mail.

The book has 24 sections for all the symptoms of PTSD and has poems and stories about Vietnam as well.

Just noticed the booklet was produced by :

Melissa M. Charette,RN BC and Stephanie Laite Lanham, RNC
Husson College Graduate Nursing students
Spring 2003
Reedited : Stephanie Laite Lanham, PMH-NP,CS
Spring 2004

Here is a poem from the booklet :

In Conclusion

The memories ...
Of all the lost veterans
POWs ...
MIAs ...
Serving beside you
In front of you
Behind you
Lost.

No matter how
No matter where
These are your memories
Your thoughts
Your pain
You are here to begin to heal.

This is the journey
Now you begin

Stephanie Laite Lanham 3-3-03