 righthand says: "Jon Soltz, an Iraq war combat veteran who founded the group VoteVets.org, said untreated psychological problems were contributing to the highest military suicide rate in a quarter-century and to growing homelessness among veterans, he said. If such widespread mental problems really existed before people joined the military and saw combat, they would have been uncovered when the recruits were enlisting, Soltz said." This latter point jumps out at me. Did they knowingly recruit those with pre-existing disorders. The army's attitude appears to be: "We didn't break you, you were already broken. You're not our responsibility." records show that 22,500 cases of personality-disorder discharges have been processed over the last six yearsPersonality disorders are in a separate category in the DSMIV, and not considered to be serious mental disorders. Most insurance companies won't pay for much more than a limited amount of out-pt counseling. Which is probably why they've been labeled with them -- it is also more difficult to prove that a personality disorder was not a pre-existing condition. PTSD -- is another story -- that is being taken seriously. I am personally familiar with this ruse. My father, a WWII vet, was a pilot instructor in open cockpit Stearman bi-planes in the U.S. Navy. He developed serious skin cancer (bottom lip removed,end of nose removed, part of left ear removed, piece of right cheek removed, etc!) later in life from the extreme sun and wind exposure ... AND he lost 80% of his hearing in one ear and 60% in the other ear. (Have you ever stood next to an airplane engine? Imagine for 4-6 hours a day in an open cockpit!) The military said all of these medical problems were caused by other natural factors. NO ... couldn't be from what he was exposed to for years in his military career. Sun and wind in his open cockpit ... I was more than surprised when I first read this story. As I was doubting it, I checked out from other sources before clipping it. The impression had always been given that any wounded were very well looked after. When did it change?I know you mention your da in WW2 but not when his difficulties started. A very good friend served in the Irish army. He was most proud of the care he got while in the army and afterwards. He told me an horrific story of a soldier on leave suffering very major burn injuries. The level of care offered him by the army was way beyond what any civilian would receive. Having him as a 'guinea pig' as a burns victim allowed the army to learn, so justifying the amou... My dad enlisted in the Air Force in 1968. He was in for 3 1/2 years, but discharged honorably before his time was up and without being sent overseas. He was mentally ill, so he was sent home early. One of the biggest mysteries of my life is what happened to him. Was he already destined to be mentally ill or did something happen in the service? I personally believe if you recruit from young adults, you run a high risk of signing up a person who will become mentally ill. Sixteen-to-24 is the common age of onset for numerous clinical disorders including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In terms of personality disorders, they can be extremely severe, but highly difficult to treat. It ... Righthand ... my dad started seeing skin cancer when he was in his 40's. Skin never forgets the things you do to it. So when he started seeing discolored patches and crusty skin, he saw a doctor. "Your skin remembers every suntan and sunburn. Damage accumulates over time when radiation from the sun changes the DNA, or genetic material, in skin cells." " ... the very earliest incidence of skin cancer occurs 15 years after the sun exposure." http://www.luhs.org/svcline/cancer/education/sunsavvy.htm His hearing loss was progressive also. Read about noise induced hearing loss here - http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/noise.asp The military said that he couldn't prove that his years of fl... I am so sorry. I was reading this, and lately because I am busy I have the habit of skimming clips. I read this word for word and found myself getting really emotional. This shouldn't have happened to your father. I hope by telling the story you give him back some of the respect and dignity that was obvously shortcoming by the government. A later clip tells of a serviceman who was denied the right to study on discharge - he thought he was entitled to. That huge number of people with pre existing problems? Why are they not testing all personnel before they begin training them? Thank you NonStatQuo. I filed a formal complaint with the hospital, and that was a joke! It's a tragic story that I have been unable to write about in my blogs. It hits dead center in my heart. I have written about some of the other ... things ... Read "Number 2 ... with a bullet" http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-s6Idhr81dLMQWrFLPKfAmdfV2Q--?cq=1&p=4 Thanks for your heartfelt comment. |
View the Top Clips from October 4, 2007
Embed This Clip In Your Site...
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
New from the makers of Clipmarks: Amplify.com - Don't just share the news...Amplify it!
|
||||
