Changes

I don't write as often as I should or want to any more. I work too much and have too much going on with my family and kids. A lot has changed since I posted last. Overnight I became famous. I went on the cover of Time Magazine, Glamour, CNN & Every major news outlet covered me. I started being in movies and was now considered an expert. Members of Congress and Senate started calling me and next thing I knew I was being asked to testify before Congress. I started traveling the country doing screenings of the movie. All of a sudden the fame became overwhelming. The crazies came out and let me tell you they fixate which makes them rather unnerving- you can't tell their intentions right away or they are just straight up creepy. Either way, you have to constantly people watch, but at the same time the people I met and was able to work with, well honestly, has been absolutely amazing. The connections and bonds made have been wonderful. I was able to take my life experiences and help people. Everywhere I went people wanted to show support and tell me how brave and courageous I was- and my resounding strength. Every one wanted to know how could I overcome my obstacles and find the courage to carry on... I honestly don't know. I picked myself up by the boot straps dusted myself off and went to live another day. I had no idea when I came forward and started a movement with a few others that it would snowball into a huge movement. Little did I know I commanded the power to stop heaven and earth and most importantly the US Government. I set out just to make them hear me instead I started moving mountains. Never let someone tell you that you can't do something. If you care about it enough and you are passionate enough you can make changes. I have always lived by the motto "Be the changes you want to see" - Ghandi I have to be honest, it's not easy and some days it really emotionally draining, but the feeling I get from helping my veterans and clients makes every headache and heartache worth it. I want to leave you with this thought- the only thing evil needs to prevail is for good men to do nothing. Always stand up for what is right even if you are standing alone. Doing the right thing isn't always easy... If it was everyone would do it. Be who you are and never let anyone put you down or tell you that you can't. You can.

Incompetent Treatment

I often wonder why the VA as inadequate services for females. The simple explanation is they are more male than female veterans. But really, that's just a surface answer. If you are a female veteran, like I am, you already have an idea.

In the military culture, females are second class. The point of view is of one that we don't belong or we belong for the sole purpose of supporting the males. I won't get into that particular scenario any further for right now.

Apparently the same philosophy is at the VA as well. Now I have to ask myself why and how? Most of the people at the VA are not actually veterans. Amazing right? So where do they get this idea, this culture carry over? They shouldn't be in the thought process of females not belonging. I understand in my clinic and hospital, cater mainly to males. In my clinic, I am 1 of 6 females versus the hundreds of males they see daily. In that aspect, I get it. However, the point is, why is my treatment and/or care inadequate?

Some males I know can go in and have no problem getting great care. They get scripted narcotics without transferring medical records in. Their word about their pain is automatically taken at face value. When I go in, I have to fight to get them to treat me and believe I really have pain. Why is that?

I am service connected, which means I have a certified disability from the military. This automatically puts me into a higher priority group. Since my disability rating is higher, my priority is higher. Why is it when I call to get in, I can't. However, these same males that I know aren't even service connected and in a lower priority than me and somehow can get in quicker than I can. I really want to know how that works! That's against their own rules, but yet they break them.

At the end of the day, the same discrimination carries over from the military to the VA. I have no answer for why though. All I know is it infuriates me to be treated as a second class citizen. I gave this country and my branch of service, my blood, sweat, and tears literally. I deserve the same respect my male counterparts are automatically given. I shouldn't be forced to take my service connected health issues to a private doctor to receive treatment. If you're service connected, they are required to take care of that health issue. They broke you so they get to fix you.... unless you're the wrong gender. If so, prepare for an uphill battle that will take every trick you know plus some to win!

A reporter that I spoke with sometime ago thought it was huge that females are mistreated. I said well, being as I have lived it many times over, it's not that big of a deal to me. In fact, females expect it. Ask any female active duty or vet and see what they say. It's common knowledge to us. I know there was a time when I just expected that civilians knew this. However, after dealing with the media and civilians, I have realized that the majority of Americans have no clue what the culture in the military is. It doesn't matter which branch you were/are in, the culture is the same. I have sisters from every branch and eras and it is common knowledge and still the same culture. The US Government, who by the way is being sued for the mistreatment of females, says we as females should expect it and then goes on to say (paraphrased here) that we are collateral damage. We are the expendable ones. That is exactly how we are treated.

It makes me angry that I gave part of my life to this country and the government sees me as collateral damage and expendable. I am a human and all humans have basic god given rights. How dare the government think of me as anything less than a human who was hired by them to do a job... not a POS and to be treated as such for being the wrong gender. How dare the VA treat me as a POS, denying care for my service connected disability, allowing non-service connected males to be seen more quickly than me. I earned those benefits. I got hurt in the line of duty only to come home to a VA who has taken the same stance against females as the military.

The civilians have no clue that we are treated this way. I have been thanked more times than I know what to do by civilians men and women alike. That's always followed by what branch were you in and then the jaw dropping. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I am really that tough lol Back to the subject at hand though... Americans don't know and them treating me in this manner proves it. The discrimination is military and VA specific.

I am not expendable or collateral damage and I should have to expect mistreatment as part of taking the job. I am a human being. Treat me like one.