The Power of the tubes
I’ve never written about this here. Perhaps I didn’t want to jinx anything. Maybe I thought it wasn’t my story to tell, I realized something, though. There is a part of this story that is mine to tell.
When I’m trying to ignore just about everything that I have to do at work, (well, not really–I’m just really bored) I am usually found lurking at this corner of the ‘net. A few months previous, I read a story written by a guest contributor detailing her fight with PTSD after returning from Iraq. While fighting debilitating panic attacks, insomnia and other ailments she also had to fight another fight against the Veteran’s Administration. As I read her story, I sat there, thinking, “Why should this happen? I thought that the VA was established to help Vets who were in need!” It’s true, the VA was established for that very reason. It’s just that they had been failing so many soldiers returning from Iraq. It wasn’t fair.
I few months previous, she wrote another update and by that time, I had gotten to know a Marine vet from Vietnam who held a position at the VA that could help her out. He cared passionately for all who served and would do anything to help the troops who needed it. After reading her update regarding yet another defeat from the VA, I decided that some thing had to give. Someone else needed to look at her Case. Someone who knew. Someone who actually gave a shit. So I did what I thought was right. I put her in contact with my friend from the VA.
I heard that evening that they had spoken and he had put her in contact with several people. Over time, I would receive updates from both ends. She said it was more hope then she had in a year. My VA friend said that he was doing all he could to help. Soon, someone from her congressional district was in touch. and Finally–yesterday, there was this.
The weekend before I had a conversation with another vet to whom I relayed the story to. What he told me after I told him what I had done was simply astonishing. He said, “Anyone can slap a magnetic ribbon on their car and say they support the troops. What you did is a true act of patriotism because you helped someone who needed it. Chances are she knows other troops and will tell them and the word will spread. Suddenly, before you know it, things will start to change because others will start to help.”
I replied, “I just put someone in touch with someone else.” Still kind of stunned by his statement.
“It’s a start. It’s more than most.”
It is a start. A small one, but a start nonetheless. Through the internet, I connected one person with someone who could help her out. The tubes, once again, a catalyst.
A little note: My Friend at the VA just recently launched a call center to help with the volume of calls that the VA has been dealing with. While this is also another small start, he believes that it will help those who feel like they aren’t getting enough help. Another friend is assisting on the launch of a program designed to help returning troops transition from their combat tours to life back with their families and jobs. They are extremely optimistic about these programs and I hear about them every day. I know they’re working hard to make sure that all our Vets get the treatment they need.
Have a great Memorial day weekend, folks.
