The Hill & Help for Vets/Caregivers

Dear Friends,


     As you know, a part of what VeteranCaregiver does is to contact Congressmen and Senator staff liaisons for Veterans Issues on your behalf, or to start the conversation for a specific issue.  As a constituent (a voting member of your district or state), your state's Congressman or Senator will open a case file and try to assist with the challenge you've identified to them.  There are many kinds of inquiries, but I will just outline the simplest measures to follow in this blog because they've come up recently and we want you to be most effective with your limited time.


     Here are some facts that you should know that will help you:

• Identify your legislators by using the Tell My Politician feature on VCG; obtain the phone number
• CALL the Washington, DC Office first and state your need
• FAX a follow-up letter to the office and also email a response to summarize your request
• Do not mail letters, as the security precautions for snail mail will delay your inquiry by up to 6 weeks
• If asked to sign releases, ask what the release is for?  In most cases, you do NOT need to release your medical records in order to have them assist you.  Be prudent, but make the best decision possible to obtain what you need.
• If you do not hear back within a reasonable time, CALL again; you must remain persistent

     If you support a legislator's efforts on a particular bill or effort identified in a press release (and available on VCG in Hill Notes or the Hearings links), DO write them by email and also on their Facebook pages; social media is used widely to read the "political wind" and to calculate public opinion.


     Know that if you send inquiries to legislators OUTSIDE of your state, that by "professional courtesy", that office will simply send on your inquiry to the Committee staffer for YOUR state area, and you will likely NOT receive a response.  Just this morning, I spoke with a high-ranking member's office about a non-response to one of our Vets/Caregivers, and was told that "we can't respond to all the emails".  As you can imagine, most people receive high volume email, so when you don't hear from them, place a CALL; it will be answered and your issue temporarily moved to the top of the pile.  You will then hear what they have done on your behalf.


     This sounds a great deal like working with the agencies, I know, but please know that these folks are elected and sworn to serve YOU, the constituent.  If you can make the time to call, document, and follow-up, chances are very good that you will receive help.  Make friends with the Veterans Liaison staffer; it's well worth the effort.


     Finally, know that we will continue to advocate for you when the load is just too much - this is a case of multiple contacts, persistence, warmth, caring and follow-up.  Hope this helps some of you just a little bit!  Washington is a world of its own.


Linda

VeteranCaregiver/ROR Trip 2

Hi friends,
        Though I couldn't participate in this second ROR trip for couples, the communication has been very good between us, and I will fill you in just a little bit more.  It is evident that Caregivers receive so little time being spouses or parents (without the caregiving), that being provided the opportunity to return to simpler roles and days is life-sustaining.
Again, learning a new set of skills together, be it calming techniques, fly fishing, or just regaining the equilibrium of a more equal relationship away from appointments and obligations seems so therapeutic to our couples. 
        And, since caregivers receive so little recognition (most cannot find the time to make a video, picture or comment for Caregivers Matter! LOL!), having someone else be in charge for four days is restorative. Recreational therapy with a purpose to support caregivers and injured or ill veterans has a place, and hopefully more organizations will recognize the important contribution made when the Caregiver is allowed to be "just" a spouse or parent again.  It is a blessing and a gift!
     Yes, more fish pictures, and it's hard to say what's bigger:  the smiles or the fish!

      Wishing our VCG couples calm waters, lively fish, and many memory revisits ahead!

Linda

ROR Vets/Caregiver Day 2

Greetings from home,

Day 2 of the Rivers of Recovery Vet/Caregiver Trip was remarkable from the first morning breathing/yoga exercise forward.  These couples had taken advantage of the beautiful scenery, the renewed connection with each other, and the confidence of the previous day’s successes.  For each couple, the second day was calmer, the comaraderie stronger, and the smiles just unsuppressable.  And, the fish kept biting. Even for me:  :-)  LOL!

In watching the ROR process unfold, and while data is collected to quantify the research results, there was no waiting for personal observations.  Each couple was visibly more relaxed, their interaction was quick, humorous, and kind – and sleep had come easily for the first time in a long time.  As the second day concluded by the firepit under the dark, unspoiled nightscape, the participants all spoke of how they had new tools, new techniques, and new confidence in being able to help one another with stressful situations in the future.  My favorite vet, who has suffered especially severe injuries and often debilitating PTSD was the most changed.  He stood up with a huge grin after dinner, and said with great enthusiasm, “My anxiety is gone – it’s just gone!”.  He was awed at the change in himself.  And, his Caregiver was overjoyed with the lifting of her 24/7 care for these days – now that’s priceless…

We're also glad to report that the return home also went smoothly, and each couple voiced their enthusiasm for returning as a guest guide next summer.  Conclusion:  learn and share multiple new skills together, spend time in nature’s glory, interact with those that understand, and depart with coping skills to “bring back” the serenity and laughter shared. Trip 2 begins today and the new participants headed off for a strong start yesterday. 

Good stuff –

Linda

Green River - Day 1

Greetings from a mile up,

Today marked the first day on the Green River for the Vet/Caregiver couples.    This is not a couples retreat, nor is this venture merely  a fishing trip.  This collaboration is being studied intensely to determine which aspects of this innovative, tailored program best manage to help diminish and sustain PTSD progress to assist couples.  Combat PTSD, as you know is often very stressful on both people in the relationship.  With the prevalence of PTSD in the news this week estimated at 95% of all OIF/OEF vets, programs that are able to help both vet and caregiver are crucial.

And, while nearly all relationships could benefit from being together in a beautiful place, ROR is taking great care to study and analyze best practices in providing fun AND practical tools that can be used upon returning home to diminish and/or to manage PTSD symptoms.  Regaining the peace provided during the trip can then be returned to again and again.  This unique experience also gives both partners the ability to support each other when stressful times arise.  And, when couples support their experiences more closely and with strengthened connection, it is possible to regain improved quality of life.  

This is an experience that taps into all five senses, and brings visible calm, joy and laughter within minutes.  This a serious effort to make a difference in the use of recreational therapy that goes beyond the trip experience.  And, it works.

The Green River was fast today, and each couple caught multiple fish for a day total of 28 fish in this catch and release program!  (BTW, when a fish cannot be brought into the boat, it is called a "remote release"!)  :)  Below, one of the couples and their guide:

Suffice it to say that the crew from today is smiling, pleasantly tired, and looking forward to tomorrow.

It’s good to know that not all research is dry (no pun intended!), boring, or academic, and that progress is being made!  Better yet, that ROR is focusing on caregivers and acknowledge the vital role you play in bringing the best quality of life  to vets and families. 

Bravo and thanks to ROR!

Linda

VCG & Rivers of Recovery Journey to Well Being

Greetings!


Rivers of Recovery and VeteranCaregiver have joined forces to bring this proven and remarkable recreational therapy program to 12 veterans and their caregivers.  Yesterday marked the beginning of the first 4-day program with a pickup of half the group at the Salt Lake City airport, where it was wonderful to meet folks we only knew through interaction here at VCG.  Matching faces with names was a pleasure!


We then embarked on a 3.5 hour drive northeast of Salt Lake City, driving through beautiful country, complete with snow-capped peaks, rolling hills, verdant valleys (I always wanted to write the word "verdant" in a sentence!), and arrived in the small but remarkable town of Dutch John, Utah, population 80.  We settled in for a great dinner and lots of fellowship, with the preface by Dan Cook, the founder of Rivers of Recovery that we would be on the Green River tomorrow, absorbing and appreciating with all our senses the beauty and fun of this gorgeous location by 8am.  Included in the morning and evening would also be specific relaxation tools, sessions one on one with a remarkable recreational therapy staff, and in conjunction with medical leadership at the highest levels.

For most, this was a challenging day just getting on a plane and embarking on this journey.  Yet, we know that neither veterans nor our remarkable caregivers lack for courage.  Stepping into new situations, trusting those they don't know in a new situation, and opening up to new experience is a valiant step.  For those of you picturing warm temps and calm blue water -- well, it's very chilly a mile up, and the clothing is layered for the high of 52 and a low of 39.


It's going to be a good day!  Pictures to come --


Linda

Memorial Day Thoughts

Greetings,

As we welcome Memorial Day today, and after the final parade or television special has faded, I’m hoping that we can take time more frequently as a group to consider those who paid the final and absolute sacrifice.  They will always have our respect and our compassion because they hold precious memories, while our group goes on.

Did you watch, participate, or read of Memorial Day events this weekend?  I was struck once again at the genuine attempts to illustrate to Americans what our brave troops experience, with footage of reasonably graphic field operating rooms, the challenges met when in the recovery and rehabilitation phases, and in trying to explain what living with TBI and PTSD can mean to a family. There has been some progress made in exposing the general public to what military families experience, especially in the case of the wounded, ill, or injured.

Yet. 

Yet, there were many references to America’s families throughout these local and national programs and newspapers, but often the camera or photo was of the veteran and a child, and very, very rarely, the veteran and their family or caregiver.  Below are vets and caregivers at WRAMC; surely we all recognize that a picture is worth a thousand words? 

Until the Caregiver is understood as the heartbeat of the family, and often the most critical link in the continuum of care, we still have much work to do. As long as the government feels that the intention to provide the programs they feel are helpful is enough, we have more work to do.  And, if the belief is that full-blown programs are already available and effective when they are not fulfilling many of the family needs, we have more work to do.  Finally, if programs are rolled out months and even years after the time they were needed, many more families will move far too slowly to successful outcomes.  Or not…

On this Memorial Day, we hope that the Gold Star Families are feeling supported, loved, and affirmed.  Our hearts go out to you.  It is our fervent hope that bureaucracy will give way to the needs and the dreams of the Blue Star Families.  Since wars are not going to end, as a group, we need to focus on logical, field-proven, integrated two-way communication, and peer-mentored programs to guide our newer Wounded Warriors through the every-evolving care system.  We need to firmly acknowledge the role of the family Caregiver as vital to America’s interests.  Caregivers and veterans, on this Memorial Day, please know how honored we at VCG are to be supporting YOU.

Linda

Wishing you a Happy Day

I had been thinking of writing another Blog on here but was looking for something cheerful and uplifting. I think we have all had to deal with a long hard winter, struggling with different aspects of the VA, fighting each day for our loved-ones and also, for many of us, the extra stress of flooding, tornadoes and other severe weather related problems.

This morning when I woke, the sun was shining and the sky was a clear blue. I took my dogs and my camera and went for a long walk. I am lucky enough to live in a rural area so in a few minutes I can be surrounded by trees, flowers and water. I know just how soothing and healing this can be. As I know many of you may not be able to get out and enjoy nature like this, I wanted to share my bit of bliss with you.

Not far from my house is a large area that was originally destined to be a building site for a number of new houses. When the housing market slumped, the area was abandoned and nature has taken back her own. I love to ramble over this area, especially to the lake, as a number of birds have made their home there. This morning, I saw to my delight, that a Canada Goose had nested on a tiny island on the lake and appears to be sitting on eggs. She certainly chose a safe place.

If you would like to see my photos, I have loaded them via Flickr, and you can see them here.

My small bit of good news is that the Caregiver Coordinator at our local VA appears to be taking her new job seriously. She has called me several times, just to check up on me, which I find to be comforting. She also talks with my care receiver, which is even better.

I do feel that we caregivers are making progress, even though it is not always apparent. It is a lot of work to keep educating people about who we are and what we do. On the days when I get discouraged, I look back and think of the advances we have made just in the last year. I know we cannot rest on our laurels. We have to keep up the pressure (yes, it is tiring) but small victories are certainly worth sharing.

I wish everyone a peaceful weekend, and if you have the chance, get outside and enjoy a little of what Mother nature has to offer.