Special Notice: If you are a veteran in emotional crisis and need help RIGHT NOW, call this toll-free number 1-800-273-8255, available 24/7. Veterans should press "1" after being connected. You will likely be asked for your ssn if you are seeking further VA benefits or services. |
|
Check out our old Navigation Icons! Click on the Icon. Navigate to a new UtVet page...
Five Marines From FalujaAmerican Hitmen
|
 |
Disch began the Home Access Program with the goal of keeping the process as personal as possible. Disch's company, Handi-Ramp, learns who you are, what your needs are and works with you till the job is done. This is not one of those programs that takes your money and leaves you flat. This philosophy permeates the entire Handi Ramp organization.
Custom ramp solutions are what Handi-Ramp specializes in. Understanding your need and creating a solution on a budget is what we do best.
Handi-Ramp works with a variety of organizations including the Veterans Administration and various trade organizations (ITA & CTE Barter) to provide ramps that make life more rewarding for families with special needs. Read the rest of the story here
Link to Handi-Ramp
FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE
"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not."
~Thomas Jefferson
1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
2. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
My View: by Andrew Wilson
If you are a veteran and find you are powerless over substances; there is hope. We have learned by sad experience that one of the most prevalent symptoms of Delayed Stress is the urge to Self Medicate with alcohol and/or drugs. No judgment here, just facts. Often, self medicating leads to serious health problems, conflicts with families -- even trouble with law enforcement including incarceration.
How many suffering veterans end up FIRED, fined 'til they drop, homeless, alone on the street, in jail, or dead from suicide-- after drugs or alcohol get the best of them? One veteran lost is one Too many.
Eighteen vets commit suicide every day. How many of them do you think were drunk or whacked when they pulled the trigger or swallowed the pills? So.... if you are a veteran and discover you're powerless over substances; you are not the only one. DON'T GIVE UP.
When you are ready to begin your recovery... Salt Lake City has the finest residential substance abuse and Brain Flash treatment programs in the entire VA system. It's called "The Eagles Nest." It's there for you! It's not perfect, and there is a waiting list for most of us... But it's worth it! Preference given to OIF/OEF veterans.
Charles Talcott knows the score and is there to help you find a new way to a new life. Call him at (801) 582-1565 extension 1874. Getting started with North Star and recovery can often be done over the phone. Click here for more info about The Eagles Nest
A Tip for Vets with urgent health questions:
Call the"VA Nurseline" toll free:
1-866-369-8020.For a test, I called at 6 am. The phone rang eight times, then a computer picked up and said "If this is an emergency dial 911 etc". I left a voice msg and four minutes later a registered nurse called me back. She carefully answered my questions about hives. Fifteen minutes later I called back with a follow up question. The phone rang three times and the same nurse picked up. She again patiently answered my questions. How Great is That?
Proud to Serve Utah Veterans with useful, thought provoking info since 2003
Click here to read the intro to Andrew's new book "Active Conditioning"
If you have a VA caretaker (fiduciary) handling your VA benefits you are prohibited from purchasing, possessing, receiving, or transporting firearms or ammunition
(unless you have a special VA exemption from the law!)
Here is an excerpt from a VA formletter
The VA can determine that you are incompetent. It can assign a caretaker of it's choosing. And the VA can determine whether or not to grant you your 2nd Amendment rights. All without due process. Your only defense is education on the issue. Get educated.
See a three page letter informing a Veteran that he is about to be declared incompetent here.
The United States Justice Foundation files suit against VA fiduciary program April, 2013
Read more about the "out of control" VA fiduciary program here; VA loses Federal Court case
and here: Testimony of Doug Rosinski before the House Veterans Affairs Committee
Read the FBI's info page on the National Criminal Background Check system
Other problems that often occur with PTSD include sleep problems, TBI and other physical health conditions, suicidal intent, grief, and anger. Read more about Co-occurring Problems. Remember: Recovery is POSSIBLE. It is also a PROCESS. There will be setbacks.
Learn more about common problems and reactions related to experiencing trauma such as depression, nightmares, sleep issues, and anger. Traumatic brain injury, (or TBI), pain and substance abuse are also common in Veterans experiencing Post Traumatic Stress.
These additional mental health problems can complicate treatment. For example: When a PTSD diagnosis co-occurs with depression and/or substance abuse problems, (including alcohol and smoking) Recovery will require dealing with both issues simultaneously.Remember: Recovery is POSSIBLE. It is also a PROCESS. There will be setbacks.
The PTSD 101 Online curriculum includes 8 courses on PTSD and Co-occurring Problems including specific info about how to address specific co-morbidities.
Adapted from http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/terrorism-war-affect-vets.asp
Veterans, like other people, respond to traumatic events in a number of ways. They may feel concern, anger, fear, or helplessness. These are all typical responses to a violent, malicious, or traumatic event. However, research shows that people who have been through trauma, loss, or hardship in the past may be even more likely than others to be affected by new, potentially traumatic events.
Recent traumatic events may also trigger old memories among Veterans. When facing a new traumatic event some Veterans expect and/or prepare for the worst based on their past experiences. For example, Veterans may:
become overly protective, vigilant, and guarded
Here is a recent Facebook posting from our old friend Stan Lockhart
* U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000
* Fed budget: $3,820,000,000,000
* New debt: $ 1,650,000,000,000
* National debt: $14,271,000,000,000
* Recent budget cuts: $ 38,500,000,000
Let's now remove 8 zeros and pretend it's a household budget:
* Annual family income: $21,700
* Money the family spent: $38,200
* New debt on the credit card: $16,500
* Outstanding balance on the credit card: $142,710
* Total budget cuts: $385
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
Study reveals top reason behind soldiers' suicides
When researchers asked 72 soldiers at Fort Carson, Colo., why they tried to kill themselves, out of the 33 reasons they had to choose from, all of the soldiers included one in particular — a desire to end intense emotional distress.
"This really is the first study that provides scientific data saying that the top reason ... these guys are trying to kill themselves is because they have this intense psychological suffering and pain," said Craig Bryan, co-author of the study by the National Center for Veterans Studies at the University of Utah that will be published in the coming months.
Suicide within the military has soared since 2005 as the military has waged two wars at once, and this year may set a record with troops committing suicide at the rate of one per day, according to Pentagon figures. Read the rest of the story here:
I recently had the excellent experience of interviewing Doctor David Rudd, of the National Center for Veterans Studies at the University of Utah. He was welcoming, funny, masterful, brilliant. His understanding of the issues that affect Veterans and their families is nuanced and particularly insightful. The work being done at the National Center should make Utahns proud. More importantly, this work can change Veterans lives! aw.
He deserves to be heard. Read the rest of the story here:
Thanks to Dr Laurie Sakaeda from A Helping Hoof for this contribution.
A blog by Dan Doyle
This was the title of an article by Caroline Alexander for the Sunday Opinion section of the New York Times. In it she compares the homecoming of Odysseus, Homer’s hero of the “Odyssey” who, for a number of reasons that are out of his control, takes 10 years to get home from the Trojan war. When he gets home he finds that everything has changed and he has to find ways to “get back home” to his family, and to the people of his island kingdom.
When he finally arrives on the shores of his native home he does not recognize it. It has been shrouded in a mist by the goddess Athena, making “everything look otherwise/than it was.” Odysseus groans, “Ah me, what are the people whose land I have come to this time?”
Like so many of our modern day veterans who come home to what should be the familiar, Odysseus finds himself feeling a sense of dislocation. Read more here:
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
The Veteran Suicide Crisis and YouSo serious is the problem that veterans of our military services now represent 20 percent of all suicides in the United States despite the fact that only 1 percent of Americans have served in the military.
Many of these people will jump in front of a train, put a bullet in their head or take some other way out because the United States of America – that would be you and me – is flat out welching on the deal we make with the people we send off to fight our wars. They promise to put their bodies into these deadly, bloody battles and we, in return, promise to take care of their war related injuries—both physical and mental—when they return.
The veterans are delivering on their promise. We very much are not. Read the rest of the story here.
Let's put Veteran suicide in perspective. The Washington Post reports 6,648 soldiers have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. We know that at least 22 Veterans are committing suicide every day. In just 10 years (2002 - 2012) that's 3,650 days, times 22 equals 80,300 dead Veterans. Almost twice as many as died in Vietnam. America does not seem to care! aw
Here are five fundamental skill of effectively sharing ideas and feelings with others.
Master these and abudant Joy will be yours.
No one is perfect. We gradually progress to a time when conflict evaporates and love governs all our relationships. Eventually, if we apply ourselves diligently, Love illuminates all we say and do.
We may not be able to do everything... but with help, we did THIS! Those who have followed UtVet.com for a time know that we have been advocating for the re-dedication of Interstate 15 as the Veterans Memorial Highway for years. We always felt that this resolution would give us an opportunity to share our belief that mental wellness Recovery is possible. Now the highway rebuild is behind us. Now Google Maps recognizes I-15 as the Veterans Memorial Highway.
Thanks to Utah Representative Chris Herrod and Senator John Valentine the legislation was signed into law by Governor Gary Herbert. Now it is unanimous. More than that; EVERY MEMBER OF THE HOUSE SIGNED ON AS A CO-SPONSOR! That never happens. (Thank you again Chris!) House bill HCR 007 is now law. What an experience! Our little committee has moved a mountain... all with a unanimous vote. Thanks God.
The Utah House voted unanimously. The Senate also voted unanimously. With less than 48 hours notice, and with zero fanfare, Governor Herbert signed the legislation, saying, "We can never do enough for Veterans, who have sacrificed so much in the cause of freedom."
I agree! Call your favorite TV station. Ask for the news director. Ask them to direct the personalities that read the news to refer to the highway by its correct name:
The legislature and governor unanimously supported this legislation for a reason. They were demonstrating to their constituents that Utah honors Veterans. Doesn't it seem just a little disrespectful for a news reader to dilute this heartfelt tribute to Veterans contributions by calling the Highway "I - 15" just out of habit?
Now we move on to our next challenge. We are going to raise $432,000 to upgrade the amenities at the new Payson Veterans Nursing Home
Read Controversial Ideas Regarding Herbal Treatment of
Stress Related Brain Injuries
PostTraumaticStressRelief.html
Recovery: Family to Family
The whole family is often wounded after a family member is exposed to something really horrible; beyond imagining. Often the result is broken families and disposable relationships. This is a tragedy; multiplied by the fact that relationships can become repairable. All the family members can get well!
This goes way beyond learning to cope with the Veterans incurable mental illness! This is helping Veterans recover mental wellness and helping the whole family to do the same. I want families to know JOY. The VA has hard evidence that Veterans Can Recover Mental Wellness. They call it Cognitive Behavior Therapy. You don't need a PhD to teach the essence of CBT. You don't need a degree in psychology to teach someone a different way of breathing. There is an alternative to a lifetime of reliance on heavy medication and "coping skills." We are teaching how to do it the same way alcoholics teach other alcoholics to stay sober! Your whole family can learn about Recovery. Your whole family can Recover mental wellness. It just takes time and effort. And Desire!
Read more about Family Recovery here.If you think you may be experiencing mental wellness issues with a family member or yourself it is now possible to link up with SERIOUS Recovery tools, anonymously, without stigma, with your family, for free.
The VA and the Military and many others have tried to aggregate resources like these for years; with spotty results. For two years, Rush University Medical Center has been working with Prevail Health Solutions under a series of National Science Foundation grants to lay the groundwork for the Vets Prevail program, a new way of bringing mental health support to US Military Veterans.
Now, with the generous support of Goldman Sachs Gives, the Robin Hood Foundation and PepsiCo, Rush has teamed up with Give an HourTM (GAH) for a national roll-out of Vets Prevail. This launch combines the Vets Prevail online program featuring dynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-based e-learning lessons and peer-to-peer support with free face-to-face counseling provided by GAH’s network of over 6,000 mental health professionals.
From Google's Veteran community to yours: This site was made by some Veterans, family of Veterans and friends who work at Google. We understand the challenges of serving, coming home and transitioning to civilian life. We've been there. Some of us are still figuring it out. Here are some free Google products we've gathered together that have made our lives easier. Hopefully, they can do the same for you.
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
My wife's only uncle, Captain Robert Simpson, was the first pilot killed in Vietnam back in 1962. His body was never recovered, to the sadness of his family. The Air Force has been diligent over the years in attempting to find Simpson, to no avail. There is an excellent link: http://www.specialoperations.net/SIMPHIST.html that describes the history of the search.
Capt Simpson's family desires a full accounting of his death, the recovery of his remains and a proper burial in Arlington National Cemetery where a grave site is reserved for him. The Air Force JTF-FA will return to Simpson's crash site if more documented information comes available.
If there are any former Vietnamese AF personnel that may have additional information on the names of the pilots, data on the crash etc) please contact Eugene D. Rossel. aircommando1@earthlink.net
Tel 909-930-5700 Work
909-591-7342
Thank you for your help and prayers in this important matter.
MONEY SMARTMark Hutcheson, Chairman of the SLC VA Mental Health Advisory Council writes to tell us about a FREE instructor led Financial Education Course that is being sponsored by the Council. The course is called Money Smart and is created by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The curriculum was designed to educate consumers on money matters, help them develop banking confidence and ensure financial stability. The FDIC has reached more than 2.5 million consumers with its Money Smart Curriculum since the program’s launch nearly a decade ago. (This six part course would cost you $80 to $300 or more at a community college or credit counseling company. Knowledge is power. aw)
VA statistics regarding
source: Salem-News.com
15 Common Thinking Errors
Thanks to Julie W. in Georgetown, DE for sending in this great content.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Thanks to Mike Gale for this
FANTASTIC RESOURCE:
A Military Veterans Guide to Disability Compensation and Pension BenefitsA Compendium of Resources and Knowledge for the Disabled Vet
from VA Watchdog.com
Those who read this page regularly have likely seen me spouting off about bad Socialized Medicine:
It's easy to complain about the "repression inherent in the system."
So this is a thank you note for the unsung:
Mentioning a few is not a criticism of the unmentioned! Thanks to Carole, who almost always has a cheerful, helpful word on the phone, Dean Porciello, who manages cases day after day in spite of all the Foo. Another unsung heroine is MiLinda Hudnall, la social worker excellente!. She gets yelled at and stays cool as a spring freshet...
A special Vote of Thanks to Paul Brady and Scott Van, medical services assistants. who have both been serving Veterans in Orem for about a year. Today they were manning the desk at the CBOC like good sergeants. I asked Paul, "Do you find the VA regs are helpful or hurtful in serving the health care needs of Veterans?" 
He thought for a moment and replied that he judged them to be helpful, in fact, indispensable. "Healthcare, like Army Aviation, must have standardization to be effective and safe. So the Army has its regulations and the VA has its regulations." It turns out Paul has been in Army Aviation for 29 years, most of those years as a Huey pilot. Now he's Pumping his adrenaline by serving Veterans at the VA. Thanks for those years of Service Paul. Welcome Home.
Scott
Van is also a Veteran. He served as an Air Force medic for four and a half years. His job as a Primary Care Flightline medic often kept him in flightline clinic where he could run out to air crews in trouble. Scott's first day as an Air Force medic was assisting a colonoscopy, then things got interesting as he dealt with emergencies like hypoxia and smoke inhalation. He had originally picked the Navy as his Grandpa was Navy. Grandpa shouted "Don't go in the Navy! Go in the Air Force!" Like Paul Brady, Scott also likes adrenaline. His favorite thrill now is Hang Gliding and being a DJ for private parties. His play list is Dope: He likes DeadMaus! Good man.
So thank you for your service to the Nation, Men. And thank you to your service to me today. Andrew Wilson, editor.
~Sarah at the Valley Book Club just sent us along an email with some dandy resource information for Veterans. Here's an excerpt:
"A veteran is any person who has served in the US Armed Forces during a time of war or a time of peace. This can include the US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Air Force, US Coast Guard or the National Guard. Veterans, whether they served in a combat zone or not, have all given a portion of their lives to the protection and service of their country. They, and their families, willing signed up to make the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow citizens, and many have suffered physical and mental repercussions because of it – and many have lost their lives. Because of this, the US Government has several programs in place to help them with life after the military."
Here's to every Veteran on this beautiful day. The band is Joshua Creek
Dear Readers,
Our Other Veteran website VetXPRS.org is committed to bringing Veterans and their families the best Recovery resources available in the world. We don't want to duplicate efforts. We just want to condense and share info that can change lives if applied. Contact us. Let us know what you think.
Disabled Utah Vets Save Big on Fishing Licenses
If you are 40% or more disabled you can save Big Money on a Utah fishing license. To show its appreciation for the sacrifice you've made, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is offering a Big Five Dollar discount on your fishing license. You can buy a discounted license for $21. The license is good for 365 days from the day you buy it. A 365-day fishing license in Utah usually costs $26. This is the same discount offered to those over 65. For more information, see the DWR website or call the DWR's Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700
Check out The National Alliance on Mental Illness's Veterans Resource Center.
(adapted from their page:) NAMI is proud to provide excellent resources for everyone touched by military service. The people who are currently serving, those who have served and their families face unique stresses and need mental health information and treatment tailored to their needs. The mental health challenges faced by veterans, active-duty troops and their families—stigma, access to quality health information and innovative new treatments—are on the minds of military families and the rest of NAMI's families. Read more about NAMI's Veteran Resource Center Here:
Laughing Often is a Good Health Habit to get Into
Be sure to click here for the "Singing Dog" video.
Anonymous self screening assesments now include both in-person and online programs for depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, alcohol problems, and suicide prevention.
There are special screens for military service members and their families.
Take a look at this material taken from their website
.http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/
These folks have produced a terrific video for the vets and their families called "A Different Kind of Courage." It's like an infomercial for mental health. Very nice. Check out the 4 Minute Promo here.
View the entire 25 minute documentary here.
This picture is a MRSA infection in someone's hip. Must be 18 inches across! Not pretty.
SUICIDE TODAY:
adapted from a VA press releaseEvery suicide in America is a tragedy. Everyone cares about each veteran and their physical and mental health. The VA has more than 10,000 mental health workers who took the job because they wanted to help veterans cope with the issues and crises they face.
The VA also operates a veteran suicide hotline which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help any veteran in need. That number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
If you want to help someone who is thinking of harming themselves call 1-800-613-4012. Press zero to get the operator and tell them to want to speak to the VA suicide prevention coordinator.Utah Vet and the VA strongly encourages vets who may be considering harming themselves in some way ~ reach out to somebody. Sometimes an hour with a fellow vet can be worth ten hours of therapy, and for sure is better than a night in the ER, or twenty four hours detoxing in a tank somewhere, or worst, a massive dose of "Enditall" (End-It-All.)
If you need a time out to get your feet back on the ground, or a safe place to come down; call the numbers. There is no shame in setting your sights on a better life. If you won't seek treatment from the VA, just look in your phone book for local mental health resources like Wasatch Mental Health 24 hour crisis line: 801-373-7393. People are there to help during a crisis. VA's care and treatment works and is available for veterans with PTSD, depression and other mental health problems.
There are a couple of new websites that are a goldmine for Veterans and families seeking information on recovery. www.VetsPrevail.org and www.googleforveterans.com. I'm especially pleased with the VetsPrevail site. It was put together without reference to the Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs. Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation with research and implementation by the Rush University Medical School. It really works. I give this site the highest marks. aw
VA operates the largest mental health care system in the country, spending $3 billion each year on its mental health programs, and has taken several measures to increase its mental health services in recent years. Those include new programs bringing mental health into primary care, intensified rehabilitation for those with serious mental illnesses, and expanded programs for homeless veterans and those with substance abuse problems.
Click for the Latest & Greatest Page 2
Click for the Latest & Greatest Page 3
The first thing to understand is the difference between the natural person and the fictitious person called a corporation. They differ in the purpose for which they are created, in the strength which they possess, and in the restraints under which they act.
"A general dissolution of principles and 
"It is the duty of nations as well as of men to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God;
to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance
will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and
proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.
Learn to protect yourself and others from deadly MRSA (