The Dysfunctional Relationship: Veterans and the Veterans Administration

One of the many promises that are extended to anyone who decides to put on the uniform of the United States is that they will be able to be treated for conditions brought or exacerbated during their service. Recent events have shown that the Veterans Administration is not fulfilling their responsibility.  Last week a veteran committed suicide outside the Wilmington VA Medical Center by setting himself on fire.

“We have been asking the VA in Wilmington for years for Saturday appointments and late Wednesday night appointments, and were told it was going to be taken care of,” said Atlantic County Veterans Affairs Director Bob Frolow, who works at the county Vet Center in Ventnor. “As of today, it is still not.”

“At the very least, his actions were an expression of need,” said Frolow, adding that people can’t get to talk to doctors or nurses when their problems need to be addressed. “It’s a shame and sign of desperation and need. This might open a window on that need.”

When Marine Sgt. Michael Jeffords returned from Vietnam in 1966, he went to a Veterans Affairs hospital because he was having hearing problems after an IED exploded near him during combat. He says he had to wait a month before they would see him, then he had to jump through bureaucratic hoops just to prove his condition was authentic.

"I had to prove where I was, when it happened and how the incident occurred," Jeffords said from his Janesville, Wisconsin home. "It's kind of a frustrating experience because you think the government should know all this stuff."

"When you get between the gears of a big bureaucracy, you're gonna get crushed unless you're strong enough to get through it," he said.

These cases are just a few of the many who have feelings of frustration and desperation when it comes to trying to receive care from the bureaucracy we call the VA. There are many nonprofit and service organizations that have arisen to relieve the suffering of our warriors who have returned home to us. These groups are like angels who provide relief in many forms. One such group is Trauma and Resiliency Resources, Inc. which was formed in 2004. (TRR) is dedicated to assisting traumatized individuals to connect with trauma-related resources, including therapists with advanced training in this area.

multi-faceted trauma intervention and on-going support services to individuals who have experienced severe stress or trauma as a result of line of duty responsibilities, including, but not limited to: uniformed and non-uniformed workers who responded to the World Trade Center attacks, military service personnel returning from duty, uniformed workers responding to emergencies in the routine execution of their job responsibilities, and the families of all of the above;

• outreach, information, and resources to impacted individuals and their families;
• information and guidance to clinicians working with these individuals;
• referrals to follow-up services when necessary. TRR is dedicated to assisting traumatized individuals to connect with trauma-related resources, including therapists with advanced training in this area.

The Mission of TRR's Warrior Camp? program is to heal the trauma of war in active military and veterans of all eras, to prevent suicide, to enhance resilience and to support force preservation. TRR Warrior Camps have saved lives of the veterans who have gone through their program. They are proud of their 100% survival rate and have data backing up their claims.

Trauma and Resiliency Resources, Inc. has reached their success using volunteers and donations from private individuals. They have no Federal Funding or paid employees. The VA sends them veterans on a regular basis with no financial support.

Trauma and Resiliency Resources' Warrior Camp? needs a permanent home. They currently do not have their own facility. If they have their own land they will be able to save more lives. If you would like to donate you can do so here or visit https://www.trrhelp.org/

This is one of many groups who support veterans in need. We owe these men and women a debt of gratitude and should extend a helping hand when we can. TRR has a list of resources on their site that you may find helpful. Thank a vet today for their service!