post wounded veterans weekend
Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 06:42 PM EST
[General]
Just wanted to post I just finished three days with 6 remarkable young wounded Marines and soldiers here in LA, three of them amputees.
One of the Marines exemplifies what I preceive to be is wrong with the way we are supporting these guys when they come home. Cory (name changed) lost both legs in the war and for three years was bounced around from VA to VA, no one regulating his meds, pumped up with multiple drugs just to keep him quiet (Heath Ledger anyone?) from sleep meds to anxiety meds to pain meds. For three years he was absolutely in hell, floundering because his local VA lost his file or the doctor assigned him to a new doctor or they felt there was nothing they could do. He has one leg with just his knee and the other two inches from the hip -- and constant neuromas etc. His pros guy told him they couldnt make it work, and he finally said, let me make my own socket. and three years later he arrived here in LA last friday on two legs. It almost made me cry.
in any event, the weekend was remarkable. we had a luncheon and most of the band of brothers cast showed up along with other actors. The Dodgers gave us a private suite and Jason Bateman came down for a half hour to hang, a private movie studio tour etc... you get the picture. and there was no press on purpose - just a chance for these guys to hang out and tell their stories, and be seen.
will post some pics as soon as they are available and if anyone wants any information on the project, you can email me here.
Thanks to Josh S as always for his continued support and friendship and all of you for sharing your circle with me.
Tags:
|
|
Thanks for working with our wounded warriors. I know the frustrations of dealing with the VA - I was medically discharged 24 years ago for diabetes, and in those 24 years I probably had 35 "primary care" doctors at the VA hospitals. Seemed like I was having to explain my entire medical history to a new doctor every time I went to the VA. I am blessed in that I am able to work full time in civil service, and I weaned myself away from getting care at the VA this past year. I now see my own doctors using my health insurance. I agree with you - it is downright shameful how wounded veterans are rail-roaded into a VA system that has never, ever actually worked correctly. Gary |


What an great project. I know that the joy you felt was also felt by the guys that you got to meet. I hope you envited the three amputees to join us here on >4 because they are
Lisa McD
08:27 PM EST