tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.comments2013-09-28T20:48:00.233-07:00Military Spouses for ChangeMilitary Spouses for Changehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08817390732646302135noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-57693754621154394412009-04-21T03:21:00.000-07:002009-04-21T03:21:00.000-07:00Thank you, dear, for verbalizing. Most nights I en...Thank you, dear, for verbalizing. Most nights I end up in a exahusted heap, too tired to type. Now my energy is devoted to typing up IG complaints and legal agruments. (If you let the PTSD and alcoholism set in long enough, the "misconduct" issues appear and the Army will jump on that discharge paperwork in a heartbeat!) We spent almost 5 years at Ft. Hood (my husband is Aviation also), and by the sound of your neighbors, we might have been neighbors ourselves. I think there is an unwritten code, at some posts more than others, that if your battle buddy admits he's going through some shit, then you just might have to admit that you went through the same shit, so it all gets swept under the rug and we all say "cheers" and go about our happy day...<br />God bless you for posting. My prayers are with you and your family.<br /><br />"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."Susienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-87544773345300064152009-03-15T22:08:00.000-07:002009-03-15T22:08:00.000-07:00I spoke to someone recently and he told me this.. ...I spoke to someone recently and he told me this.. A soldier is someone that you give him a weapon and he goes and kills and comes back. A warrior is someone that studies the art of war (think the discipline of a Samurai) that they study for many years to perfect their skills. They continue to be warriors till they die. <BR/>As an American Soldier were sent over there to do a job. Plain and simple we destroy the enemy target. How we deal with the repercussions of our action or orders it is up to us to do so. We have also hear that we need to do more to prepare our young men and women that head into the combat zones, that have no clue as to how to deal with these problems by providing training. I believe that that is a good beginning to a rough start in the fight for PTSD and mental health care.<BR/>But have we forgotten about the true warriors. The spouses that stay at home doing all of the real work? Who is training them? In a cruel and unusual way, this is a bad way to get on the job training dont you think? Specially to those young wives that have never experienced the stress,the loneliness,the questions that kids may ask and having to deal with the real issues at home. <BR/>I had a wife tell me recently, give me a uniform and a gun ill go and shoot someone and he can come over here and deal with this stuff. She was referring to everything that you mentioned on your blog. <BR/>I have put my wife through hell and back and back to hell again most recently. I do suffer from PTSD and she puts up with it. She deals with it as best as she can. She has told me till death do us part. Now that means a lot to me, because at times I want to give up. If it wasn't for my wife I dont know where I would be at.ATC DAVIDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09068163243824463842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-65345982380114712742009-03-06T06:51:00.000-08:002009-03-06T06:51:00.000-08:00Thank you Shannon, for being brave enough to comme...Thank you Shannon, for being brave enough to comment! There may not be many of us, but we are out there and we are not alone! The more we speak out, even if it is by commenting here, the more we can encourage others to speak up!<BR/><BR/>I hope you are a member of Military Spouses of America. (www.militaryspousesofamerica.org). Membership is free! Stay connected...<BR/><BR/>The author of this is stationed in Fort Hood.<BR/><BR/>Hugs,<BR/><BR/>YOU ARE NOT ALONE,<BR/><BR/>CarissaMilitary Spouses for Changehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08817390732646302135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-71137070766568286342009-03-06T06:41:00.000-08:002009-03-06T06:41:00.000-08:00I can't tell you how much this sums up how I feel!...I can't tell you how much this sums up how I feel! I am so overwhelmed as a relatively new Army Spouse that I don't really know what to do. I work full-time and feel like I am responsible to handle everything as I never know when my husband will be home even though he is currently not deployed. We don't have kids yet even though we are considering it but I spend my days wondering how I will handle the added stress of a child as me not working is not an option for us at this time. <BR/><BR/>I wish more spouses would express this sentiment and really wish the Army would pay more attention. I feel so betrayed when I see the articles in the press about how they are helping the families and how they want to increase dwell time (wow that helps since every other week or month or so my husband is in some sort of training that lasts a week or month not to mention never knowing when he's coming home from work). <BR/><BR/>To make matters worse he was supposed to be getting out now but because of the economy he re-enlisted. We had to decided between the evil we knew and the evil we didn't!<BR/><BR/>I'm just really frustrated!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-91678966542423781802009-02-11T16:18:00.000-08:002009-02-11T16:18:00.000-08:00I am in the Army too I am a women I have a son he ...I am in the Army too I am a women I have a son he is two. I have been deployed I have taken verbal abuse from NCOs and Officers whom expect all these soldiers they abuse to defend them. I have not been diagnosed with PTSD yet but I do know that I came across this article by mistake, but everything happens for a reason, and Miss you are not alone when you hope for a change. For the past four years I have came across thousands of people going thru the same thing. AND ITS TIME FOR A CHANGE..... not now but...RIGHT NOW! <BR/><BR/><BR/>The Mac <BR/>AVN ASB 25 IDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-65756756579849768522008-06-05T18:50:00.000-07:002008-06-05T18:50:00.000-07:00I just visited the site and it's a good thing. I h...I just visited the site and it's a good thing. I hope that this petition will reach the congress. but we just have to wait after the election is over. =)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-38380481965077581812008-05-04T06:08:00.000-07:002008-05-04T06:08:00.000-07:00Hello Friend,I want to be of service. My name is C...Hello Friend,<BR/>I want to be of service. My name is Craig J. Phillips and I am a traumatic brain injury survivor as well as a Master’s level Rehabilitation counselor. In 1967 I sustained an open skull fracture with right frontal lobe damage and remained in a coma for 3 weeks at the age of 10. I underwent brain and skull surgery after waking from the coma. Follow-up EEG’s, cognitive and psyche / social testing revealed that I would not be able to succeed academically beyond high school. In 1967 Neurological Rehabilitation was not available, so I was essentially on my own. I had to re-teach myself how to walk, talk, read, write and speak in complete sentences again. I have since obtained both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. For an in depth view of my process please read my post,http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com/2007/02/18/my-journey-thus-far/ <BR/>Through out my lifetime I developed strategies to overcome many obstacles and in so doing I have achieved far beyond all reasonable expectations. On February 6, 2007 at the encouragement of a friend I created Second Chance to Live. Second Chance to Live, which is located at http://secondchancetolive.wordpress.com presents topics in such a way to encourage, motivate and empower the reader to live life on life’s terms. <BR/>I believe our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but to build us up. As a traumatic brain injury survivor, I speak from my experience, strength and hope. As a master's level rehabilitation counselor I provide information on a wide array of topics to encourage, motivate and empower the reader to live life on life's terms. Second Chance to Live presents information to inspire and bring hope. Material from Second Chance to Live will enhance the lives of caregivers and the individuals who support the needs of those caregivers. <BR/>Please visit Second Chance to Live and consider telling your readers about my message of hope. Please also consider adding Second Chance to Live to your web site as a helpful resource. Thank you for your time and kindness. <BR/>Have a simply phenomenal day! <BR/>Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA <BR/>Second Chance to Live<BR/>Our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but to build us up!<BR/>Second Chance to Live has been published through out Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States of America.<BR/>Growth Point, social and therapeutic journal, Summer Edition 2007, Thrive, The Geoffrey Udall Centre, Beech Hill Reading RG7 2AT email info@thrive.org.ukBrain Injury <BR/>Association of Texas newsletter, Summer Edition 2007, Austin, Texas email info@biatx.org<BR/>In Touch, newsletter, Summer Edition 2007, Westminster, Colorado, email Elaine@ImAlreadyHome.com<BR/>The Brain Injury Handbook, Rehab UK, September 2007, 62a, Peach Street Wokingham Berkshire, RG40 1XH email ninahillier@rehabuk.org<BR/>Transformation Times, October and November issues. Transformation Times is a mini-magazine, serving men and women of the armed services and their families and is published by Operation Life Transformed. My articles are listed under, Traumatic Brain Injury and Activities of Daily Living with in the mini-magazine. You can access the mini-magazine through http://lifetransformed.org/Documents/Oct_T_times_final_(3)[1].pdf . Operation Life Transformed can be contacted through contactus@lifetransformed.org<BR/>European Brain Injury Society E.B.I.S. with in their Autumn 2007 Newsletter http://www.ebissociety.org/automn/newsletter-angl.htm in both French and English. Specifically, My Journey thus Far has been printed with in the newsletter.<BR/>Brain Injury Association of Niagara My article, Traumatic Brain Injury and Displaced Energy has been published by the, Newsletter January 2008 http://www.niagara.com/bian/ <BR/>Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Neuropsychology http://www.tbi.pmr.vcu.edu/ My Journey thus Far, TBI Today Volume 6 Issue I — winter 2008 issue News, Ideas and Resources from the Virginia TBI Model System<BR/>As of February 21 Second Chance to Live started being visited and read by the Department of Veteran's Administration from locations through out the United States. <BR/>I am available for speaking engagements, conferences and seminars. My message is to motivate, encourage and empower people with and with out disabilities to consider the possibilities. My diverse background in nursing, emergency medicine, physical education, theology, counseling and with in both the funeral and cemetery industries equip my ability to speak to a wide range of topics as they relate to living life on life’s terms. Second Chance to Live incorporates my experience, strength and hope.<BR/>As a traumatic brain injury survivor and a master’s level rehabilitation counselor who has lived with an invisible disability for over 40 years I bring a fresh and unique perspective to any audience. <BR/>I believe that our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but they are meant to build us up. I believe our circumstances provide the learning environment that teaches you and I lessons. As we learn from those lessons we gain experience. Our experiences prepare you and I to take advantage of the opportunities that become available to us. I believe those opportunities point us in the direction of our destinies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-69069063696910344522008-04-25T23:08:00.000-07:002008-04-25T23:08:00.000-07:00OH my goodness I am so happy to have found you!Ple...OH my goodness I am so happy to have found you!<BR/><BR/>Please check out my blog at <BR/><BR/> <BR/>http://veteranspersonalitydisorder.blogspot.com/Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10506650279065794102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-55351572221350099062008-04-16T17:32:00.000-07:002008-04-16T17:32:00.000-07:00WEll thank you for the positive feedback! Trust m...WEll thank you for the positive feedback! Trust me, it is needed! I hope you join the site and blog about what it has been like for you and what you think about the issues that are raised in the other blogs. We want to know what you think and others need to know what you think!<BR/><BR/>Good luck with school!Military Spouses for Changehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08817390732646302135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-91916474218688644802008-04-16T15:48:00.000-07:002008-04-16T15:48:00.000-07:00Thank you for this blog! I am a National Guard/Ve...Thank you for this blog! I am a National Guard/Veteran's wife and stay-at-home mom of two wonderful boys. My husband is full time and in the last three years has been home a total of maybe 1 1/2 years. He has been training for his position. He had a TBI when he returned from Iraq and has been declared disable. I am currently getting ready to go back to school, but finding no help from the military. There just isn't anything for spouses. So thank you for creating a place we can go to voice our opinions!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-57263789773199211782008-03-14T13:12:00.000-07:002008-03-14T13:12:00.000-07:00Carissa, I wanted to thank you for your position a...Carissa, I wanted to thank you for your position as relates to our discussion last night. It shows great character on your part in regards to what we shared, and I want to thank you for sticking to your word. That means much to me personally, and while you and I may well differ on political views, that fact that you stand behind your word makes a very strong statement about you. Join us Sunday morning at 10:30 if you get the chance. We would love to have you. I was the guy behind you BTW. MikeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-20527504315602497562008-02-18T11:11:00.000-08:002008-02-18T11:11:00.000-08:00Tony, thank you for your comment and you are absol...Tony, thank you for your comment and you are absolutely right. For every fatality in Iraq, there are 8 to 16 (depending on your source and definitions) servicemembers who are physically wounded. <BR/><BR/>I was listening to a spouse talk about her DH. He suffered a severe TBI. He was shot in the head. She said that essentially he DID die that day and yet physically he IS still alive and with her... but how can she mourn the loss of a man who is still alive? This is all so traumatic and troubling...Military Spouses for Changehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08817390732646302135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-50109559996648237172008-02-06T08:46:00.000-08:002008-02-06T08:46:00.000-08:00Sounds like his commander should have been given a...Sounds like his commander should have been given a general discharge instead. I'm sure his commander has never been in the line of fire or near an IED that exploded. Thank you for caring for this young man. He probably would have ended up another homeless vet without your intervention.<BR/><BR/>TonyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-31719168268440498362008-01-09T09:51:00.000-08:002008-01-09T09:51:00.000-08:00Carissa, your blog post should be on the front pag...Carissa, your blog post should be on the front page of every newspaper and on every news program in America! <BR/><BR/>I'm more in-tune with the wounded troops, which in some ways can be even more heartbreaking. Last weekend, while visiting my son-in-law at the VA Polytrauma center in Palo Alto, Ca, I met two other young men with traumatic brain injury from injuries they sustained in Iraq. These brave young men will spend the rest of their lives fighting to remember their loved ones names, learning how to walk again, learning how to speak, to go to the bathroom, etc...<BR/><BR/>TonyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-39054448939849931242007-12-27T14:35:00.000-08:002007-12-27T14:35:00.000-08:00Well said! As the former wife of an Air Force Offi...Well said! As the former wife of an Air Force Officer I can totally understand the quagmire of family and duty. It often seems that the military leadership wishes to embrace the old theory of "if the military wanted you to have a family they would have issued you one!" <BR/>While the services to families have improved over the years, the is always room for improvement! Any positive movements for change that promote and invoke real changes that benefit the families and the military is a win/win situation! <BR/>I am currently writing a book about the military's response system to spousal abuse. There is a system in place but the spouses are not always aware of them or fear that reporting will damage their abuser's (read: bread winner) career. I am all for advocating for yourself within the system. Improving the system is always a good thing but learning how to move forward with what is in existance is equally important for their present needs. <BR/>Shannon Evans<BR/>www.mywritingmentor.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-28821282685505140132007-12-05T19:24:00.000-08:002007-12-05T19:24:00.000-08:00Found your blog and thought you'd appreciate this ...Found your blog and thought you'd appreciate this song about a little girl who asks Santa to bring her daddy home for Christmas.<BR/><BR/>http://www.bringhimhomesanta.comCharley Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13817064296664913041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012255546901446091.post-65136241968433694402007-11-14T06:18:00.000-08:002007-11-14T06:18:00.000-08:00Your feelings are entirely justified. There is no...Your feelings are entirely justified. There is nothing selfish in feeling fear of the unknown of war. It is a life where you get to actually own that feeling when you have it.<BR/><BR/>I saw that news broadcast Friday as I was leaving the airport after saying goodbye to my husband....he was returning to Iraq after R&R....my already tear stained face mixed with new ones as they said there were fatalities.<BR/><BR/>Try not to get wrapped around it too much ahead of him leaving, you will have plenty of time once he is gone to do that.....<BR/><BR/>Enjoy the time you have before he deploys and I look forward to reading more of your blog and what Military Spouses for Change is all about.....I sure know that there is a lot I'd like to see change, but then we are probably speaking about entirely different areas of our world.<BR/><BR/>~asw....https://www.blogger.com/profile/14569753442768694432noreply@blogger.com