By Guest Blogger Adam Anicich, PolyTrauma/Blast-Related Injury Executive Committee Member for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
In my line of work, I’ve heard too many Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Marines share their frustrations about their recovery and their concerns about the difficulties of reentering “normal life” after an injury. “I can’t…,” “It’s too hard…” and “I’ll do it later…” are phrases spoken all too often. These Warriors begin to doubt themselves and become overly critical of their limitations – and forget to focus on their abilities. These feelings are understandable – after all they have been through, who can fault them? I know, because I was one of those Soldiers.
Many people with brain/blast injuries, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other acquired injuries can feel isolated – either from cognitive difficulties, troubles keeping pace with daily life, lack of focus or just not being able to engage in the same lifestyle they used to. Such isolation not only inhibits a person’s recovery, but also takes a toll on their emotional state. It discourages friends and relationships, marginalizes enjoyment and inhibits professional aspirations.
As a result, many people with injuries or disabilities refrain from enjoying life or impacting society with the zeal and passion that they once had. PTSD can crush a person’s spirits, scars can make people feel trapped within themselves and the loss of a limb can make a person feel incomplete. My challenge to all of you out there struggling with a traumatic or acquired injury or disability is to push yourself to do things you used to enjoy before your injury – find ways to overcome physical limitations, engage your mind in intellectual discourse and discover renewed enthusiasm for life. This is your life – take it back!
As a community, we do however, also have a responsibility – as individuals who have sustained injuries; as family members, friends and caretakers; or as the support network of those individuals with disabilities, to encourage positive attitudes and promote best practices for rehabilitative outcomes. There still exists a stigma about mental health problems and readjustment after combat – but these conditions are treatable! The work of therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists is amazing and making a real impact on people’s lives. Let’s help build an environment that is supportive and prepares our injured colleagues for success.
It’s hard enough to persevere through the immediate recovery of an injury and overcome the daily challenges of living with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), without the added pressures of scheduling physical therapy and vocational rehabilitation appointments, juggling prescription medicines and deciding on the right path for your future. We also need to take a look at how we are relaxing and unwinding. De-stressing can have both physical and psychological benefits during the recovery process and beyond. Do you like to watch TV? Do you enjoy quiet walks? Do take pleasure in just being alone for a few hours and thinking? For those suffering from PTSD, this relaxation can be critical to finding inner peace. Find what you like to do and make it happen.
One thing that has had great success in recent years is volunteering. Many people who have overcome obstacles find helping others in the community to be therapeutic – both for their own recovery, and that of others. Giving back to others helps people share their stories, gain insight from others who have been “in their shoes” and discover satisfaction in mutually-admired activities.
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of giving a tour of The Capitol to a severely wounded Veteran and his family. Although his appearance was scarred, his limb count incomplete and a steel external fixator stabilized his arm, he was thrilled to see The Capitol and filled with energy as he described his experiences and future plans to people we met along the way. His energy and vigor should be an inspiration to those recovering after a traumatic or acquired injury and showcases the true strength of the human spirit – the true strength of America’s Warfighters.
Today, there are huge leaps in research and clinical strategies being promoted by both private and public entities that are helping people like you and me overcome the challenges that would have been insurmountable just a decade ago. Advances in healthcare access, technology and adaptive equipment, physician training, community awareness and patient engagement are all contributing to a more normalized lifestyle expectation from individuals with disabilities. These are not fluffed-up innovations in a perfect world; these are real changes that are happening now.
Start the Discussion
Start the discussion with your healthcare provider about how these innovations impact you and how they can make your life easier. Things are changing constantly and there are always new products being developed. Search online for new ideas, get involved with blogs and social media and connect with other in similar situations. Maybe a voice recorder for storing thoughts on the go is the solution for you, perhaps it’s a different combination of medicines designed to help you sleep better without the “jitters” or perhaps it’s a water-resistant prosthetic better designed for your lifestyle.
Many larger health clinics, hospitals and rehabilitation centers have patient advocates who can advise on costs, insurance coverage and assistance programs that might help defray the financial burdens associated with specialty care. Seek out these counselors and share your story – you might just be surprised how much you can improve your life with just a little effort. One of the most respected physicians in the field of rehabilitative medicine once told me that “many patients may look for a passive cure, but it takes active participation to move forward.”
YOU are the only person who can change that “I can’t…” to “I DID!”
For More Information:
- Visit the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury’s website at http://www.dcoe.health.mil/.
- Check out the resources available from the Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD.
- Caregivers can call the Caregivers Support Line at 1-855-260-3274.
Adam Anicich serves on the PolyTrauma/Blast-Related Injury Executive Committee for the Department of Veterans Affairs and is a national expert in the fields of PolyTrauma and traumatic brain injury. A former Army Sergeant and polytrauma patient, he now uses his unique mix of experience and understanding of traumatic and acquired injuries to help our nation’s Veterans.
Thank you for your work with patients and for your service to our country. God bless you and your continued efforts of service.
I am a homecare nurse in Minnesota and I work with complex patients on ventilation due to chronic disease processes or injury. Trying to engage clients in life after injury or in the presence of chronic disease is a major challenge. It is a grief and loss issue for most of them. I am working hard at encouraging even simple outings into the community. There is much to overcome, but I am hopeful tht my patients will experience some joy when they take that first step back into the community. Their grief is understandable.
I sustained a back injury in 2006. I had surgery on my back in 2006 & 2008. I was placed on Workmans Comp from 06 – 2011. I could not work and I felt devastated and unproductive. I felt like a failure because I had worked hard for the past 18 1/2 ys. I had not realized how defined I felt by my job. I absolutely hated when people asked me what I did for a living. Saying I was disabled brought disbelief to them. They would say things like, “You don’t look hurt to me” or “I wish I could just lay up at home and wait for a check.” I was hurt to be seen as lazy and living off the system. I went into a deep depression and began a routine of isolation, sleeping my days away and walking the floor at night. I was paranoid and I felt ashamed. Looking back on it, I truly went through the stages of grief and I mourned my prior life. I am just beginning to accept my status and realize I can’t do what I used to do and its okay and not my fault. Loosing your life by way of an injury is no picnic. I wish society wasn’t so cruel to the disabled and didn’t stereotype and lump us all together. But this is truly something a person has to go through to understand. But, I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. Thank you for understanding and for having a desire to help disabled people find a new acceptance of their life. THANK YOU.
Sound good if the VA system worked the same for all veterans. I have pending benefits after years of unexplainable medical conditions from military healhthcare. I continued on Active Duty with chronic disabilities from the multisymptom illnesses and permanent disabilties from traumatic injuries. I was not COAD, even though my medical situation warranted benefit provisions.
Consequently, I see nothing new that the medical community were baffled about the acute and subacute episodes of the multisymptom illnesses after the Gulf War. But they were not smart about traumatic injuries after internal complications and external force associated with the body shutting down (brain or heart).
Subsequently, I was in and out of the hospital on Active Duty. The military healthcare started clinical evaluations at the Joint Readiness Center and medical boards at Fort Bragg in 82nd Division. Even worse, the VBA lost medical records for 9 years. Really what is the advantage of the processes if there are systemic problems, also?
With this in mind, I used private insurance to see private doctors since my military discharge. Expeditiously, the private doctors applied clinical approaches for medical complaints. I learned of the multiple diseases from military healthcare and also private doctors. Remarkably, the VBA denied service connectionas a major cause in addition to chronic disabilities of the multisystem disease (Sarcoidosis).
Until this day, I applied for benefits repeatedly for heart disease (cardiovascular-renal), eye disease (Glaucoma), intestinal disease (GERD) and kidney disease. Now I am homebound without service connection of the TBI, SCI, PTSD and those mentioned above.
What happen to the system and services for honorable service? The benefit agencies were convinced of the medical conditions at the Office of Personnel Management, Social Security Administration and North Carolina Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. But the Veteran Administration is a different story.
I would suggest contacting the wounded warrior program. You never know they may be able to help. If nothing else, a support group is important. Also there is the IndependenceFund.org. Regardless of how one regards Bill O’Reilly, it was via his free newsletter that I found out about this fund. He is a source of other helpful causes as well. His newsletter today addresses how the government has talked the talk, but has NOT walked the walk when it comes to our Veterans.
It is often difficult to just keep on keeping on, but take it from me, it is worth the effort. I agree you need to find something that is fun. For me, it’s getting together with others to play cards, go dancing or just listen to music. Because I have PTSD, it took many times trying, and often having to leave early because of not only the music, but being in a room with lots of people. What helps me still is to take a bathroom break or if possible to leave the room for a while and go outside.
Are you suggesting recovery is a matter of willpower or mindset? Why even publish these absurd thoughts? It is disappointing, discouraging and demoralizing for those who simply cannot “fix” ourselves.
Thanks for your reply. I think it’s important to differentiate between things within our control, and things outside of our control. Since many traumatic and acquired injuries impact individuals both physically and psychologically, focusing on the positive and not dwelling on the negative is critical to emotional sustainability. For some with severe physical injuries, physical recovery might be unlikely, but that does not mean they cannot find comfort and enjoyment in their new “modified” lifestyle.
For example, those who have lost a limb are not going to “regrow” a new one – but, I encourage them to explore alternative possibilities, such as learning about the newest prosthetic limbs – in the hopes that they can recapture and participate in activities they used to enjoy. In some scenarios as you mention, “fixing” is not an option. That’s when it’s important to shift one’s exploration into other areas of life – perhaps it’s volunteering or teaching; advocacy; starting a YouTube channel or organizing a community group to help others in similar situations. Whether you realize it or not Jack – you are “Forging Ahead” right now by reading and responding to this article – you’re sharing your thoughts and opinions with others so they can see a different perspective.
The journey and the fight are never over – I just ask everyone to be their personal best!
Thanks again Jack – I appreciated your comments.
People may not have a clue what TBI, PTSD, & getting oneself over being hurt as a result of another person’s anger. War, Crime & Life can make ANYONE a victim. Thank you for sharing. It helps to know I am not alone. May GOD Bless all of the Victims & may time heal all wounds, AMEN.
Adam,
I write a blog on disability for New Horizons Independent Living Center in Prescott Valley, Az. and our director, Liz Toone, wanted me to contact you to get permission to repost your article on our blog. Please contact me at danehammond@hotmail.com
Hi Dane,
I will forward your request to Adam. You have permission from Disability.Blog to re-post his blog, just please mention that it was originally posted on Disability.Blog.
Best,
The Disability.Blog Team
Thanks for this comprehensive article on such a complex topic. Very important to address the non-physical signs of PTSD. Please continue your good work for all veterans and others with PTSD.
P. Edwards-Conrad M.D. http://www.conservativeneurology.com
I know that there are Independent Living Centers across the country, such as ours, that offer resources and services. In our experience in working with people with TBI and other stressors in their life, individuals who were not confident in where they were going in life have turned that around. We provide classes on dealing with stress, compensatory strategies, independent living skills, mobility in the community, access to community services, assistive technology, and work with the individual on the goals which they have chosen…up to and including employment. We welcome inquiries from people within our service area of Southern California to work with them, or provide referrals to someone who can help. Contact information on ILCs across the country may be obtained by visiting the ILRU website: http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index. Our contact information: Independent Living Center of Southern California (ILCSC) – http://www.ilcsc.org.
Hi Norma Jean,
Thank you for your comment. We at Disability.gov are big fans of ILCs and the wonderful resources they provide! We often refer people who write to us to their local ILCs so they can receive services in their communities. Many thanks for all you do!
Best,
The Disability.Blog Team