Retrain Your Brain With Timothy Kendrick
Web Site Educates About Hiring War Vets
By KIMBERLY HEFLING, Associated Press Writer
They survived war, but for some Iraq and Afghanistan veterans going to work back home isn't easy, either.
An estimated 300,000 from the two wars have returned home with mental health problems, so-called invisible wounds, and about the same number suffered head injuries, according to a private study from the RAND Corp. think tank. Associated problems can include depression, flashbacks, irritability, headaches and short-term memory loss.
For those in the National Guard and Reserves, returning to a civilian job at a workplace such as a bank or firehouse can be difficult as they make the transition back while trying to cope with new issues. Also, some veterans have complained they can't find work after they leave the military because employers are hesitant to hire them.
Starting Wednesday, the Labor Department is making available to current or potential employers resources to help them better understand the mental health issues veterans may face. It is rolling out a Web site, America's Heroes at Work, and has created a toll-free number, 800-526-7234, for employers with questions.
One of the messages of the initiative is that many of the veterans' symptoms are either manageable or will go away with time. Another message is that small changes, such as scheduled rest breaks for a veteran with a traumatic brain injury, can make a big difference.
The effort was praised by veterans groups, which say a lingering stigma about veterans and mental health keeps some of them from getting jobs.
"Those injuries are something that can be accommodated," said Ryan Kules, 27, an injured Iraq veteran and former Army captain who coordinates the "warrior-to-work" program at the nonprofit Wounded Warrior Project.
Last year, a presidential commission recommended that the Defense Department and Veterans Affairs Department aggressively work to prevent, diagnose and treat veterans with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder — signature wounds of the Iraq war.
Traumatic brain injury is a blow or penetrating injury to the head that disrupts brain function. Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder that can develop in response to an extreme event.
One of the best ways to help the vets "is to help them return to full, productive lives through work," said Labor Secretary Elaine Chao. "Employment can also play a role in their recovery."
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On the Net:
America's Heroes at Work
SilvaLifeSystem.com
Retrain Your Brain
They survived war, but for some Iraq and Afghanistan veterans going to work back home isn't easy, either.
An estimated 300,000 from the two wars have returned home with mental health problems, so-called invisible wounds, and about the same number suffered head injuries, according to a private study from the RAND Corp. think tank. Associated problems can include depression, flashbacks, irritability, headaches and short-term memory loss.
For those in the National Guard and Reserves, returning to a civilian job at a workplace such as a bank or firehouse can be difficult as they make the transition back while trying to cope with new issues. Also, some veterans have complained they can't find work after they leave the military because employers are hesitant to hire them.
Starting Wednesday, the Labor Department is making available to current or potential employers resources to help them better understand the mental health issues veterans may face. It is rolling out a Web site, America's Heroes at Work, and has created a toll-free number, 800-526-7234, for employers with questions.
One of the messages of the initiative is that many of the veterans' symptoms are either manageable or will go away with time. Another message is that small changes, such as scheduled rest breaks for a veteran with a traumatic brain injury, can make a big difference.
The effort was praised by veterans groups, which say a lingering stigma about veterans and mental health keeps some of them from getting jobs.
"Those injuries are something that can be accommodated," said Ryan Kules, 27, an injured Iraq veteran and former Army captain who coordinates the "warrior-to-work" program at the nonprofit Wounded Warrior Project.
Last year, a presidential commission recommended that the Defense Department and Veterans Affairs Department aggressively work to prevent, diagnose and treat veterans with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder — signature wounds of the Iraq war.
Traumatic brain injury is a blow or penetrating injury to the head that disrupts brain function. Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder that can develop in response to an extreme event.
One of the best ways to help the vets "is to help them return to full, productive lives through work," said Labor Secretary Elaine Chao. "Employment can also play a role in their recovery."
___
On the Net:
America's Heroes at Work
SilvaLifeSystem.com
Retrain Your Brain
PTSD finding your own way
How did you find your way out of the insanity of your PTSD? I get this question quite often. After I give them my "act your way into right thinking" speech I give them a copy of my book PTSD: Pathways through the Secret Door. Lulu Press shameless plug buy it at Amazon.com
Within its 84 pages there are simple solutions to overcome, heal, and live a meaningful life.
When I was escaping from the shrinks and docs who wanted to lock me up when I was leaving Iraq. I felt nothing mainly because I had a bottle of Johnny Walker Red in me. I call that self medicating.
After years of seeing doctors and other professionals (from 93-04) I found the only way to find my way, was to find my own way. I realize that sounds a bit odd.
I tried everything that is until I drilled into my own mind and my own memories.
I was not about to share nothing with any one. I read books I went to seminars.
The only reason I took that Job in Iraq with the DOD was because I was flat broke and didn't get along with anyone because of my PTSD.
I could damn sure act though and that is what I did to get that job. Was it an unjust war? I don't know. I knew that I would be at home in that element and that I would have money. I found no WMD's by the way.
I wanted to face a demon that had haunted me since Somalia in 93.
My motives were not that pure. I loved my country yes, I had sweat and bled all over the world for America. But now it was personal. My family life was crap and I could not keep a job so I went back. This was at the beginning of OIF. Most of it is a blur of memories.
I came back in a shambles. My wife received one phone call from a flight attendant and that was it. They just said. Your husband is coming home.
Little did they know the lies and sneaking deceit I had to go through to get the hell out of that mess after they wanted to institutionalize me? Imagine me crazy, Hell I knew what was wrong with me.
When I came home in 04 I began to retrain my body and my brain. I began my own search by reading tons of books and talking to a few trusted people that would listen. Very damn few.
I noticed something when I delved into my subconscious I found many things about me and my scars or "bullets in my soul", that's what I call them, that forced me to heal. Massive action was my plan and if something did not work I tried something else. There was so much pain I had all of the leverage I needed to keep going until I found solutions.
So today I find that by helping others I help myself more than I could have ever imagined.
I am still a voracious reader and sometimes in my bed at night or in the day a trigger will remind me that I must always continue to grow.
One of my mottos is Grow or Die. Everyday we move closer to what we want or farther away. Nothing stands still.
And once again what you give you get to keep.
Today I offer love, hope, peace, prosperity, and happiness to everyone I meet instead of what my wife use to call "that look".
"That look" she talks about is when the crazy warrior would return.
Yes, I am Grateful "that look" in my eyes is very rare anymore.
Thank you
Peace be with you
Within its 84 pages there are simple solutions to overcome, heal, and live a meaningful life.
When I was escaping from the shrinks and docs who wanted to lock me up when I was leaving Iraq. I felt nothing mainly because I had a bottle of Johnny Walker Red in me. I call that self medicating.
After years of seeing doctors and other professionals (from 93-04) I found the only way to find my way, was to find my own way. I realize that sounds a bit odd.
I tried everything that is until I drilled into my own mind and my own memories.
I was not about to share nothing with any one. I read books I went to seminars.
The only reason I took that Job in Iraq with the DOD was because I was flat broke and didn't get along with anyone because of my PTSD.
I could damn sure act though and that is what I did to get that job. Was it an unjust war? I don't know. I knew that I would be at home in that element and that I would have money. I found no WMD's by the way.
I wanted to face a demon that had haunted me since Somalia in 93.
My motives were not that pure. I loved my country yes, I had sweat and bled all over the world for America. But now it was personal. My family life was crap and I could not keep a job so I went back. This was at the beginning of OIF. Most of it is a blur of memories.
I came back in a shambles. My wife received one phone call from a flight attendant and that was it. They just said. Your husband is coming home.
Little did they know the lies and sneaking deceit I had to go through to get the hell out of that mess after they wanted to institutionalize me? Imagine me crazy, Hell I knew what was wrong with me.
When I came home in 04 I began to retrain my body and my brain. I began my own search by reading tons of books and talking to a few trusted people that would listen. Very damn few.
I noticed something when I delved into my subconscious I found many things about me and my scars or "bullets in my soul", that's what I call them, that forced me to heal. Massive action was my plan and if something did not work I tried something else. There was so much pain I had all of the leverage I needed to keep going until I found solutions.
So today I find that by helping others I help myself more than I could have ever imagined.
I am still a voracious reader and sometimes in my bed at night or in the day a trigger will remind me that I must always continue to grow.
One of my mottos is Grow or Die. Everyday we move closer to what we want or farther away. Nothing stands still.
And once again what you give you get to keep.
Today I offer love, hope, peace, prosperity, and happiness to everyone I meet instead of what my wife use to call "that look".
"That look" she talks about is when the crazy warrior would return.
Yes, I am Grateful "that look" in my eyes is very rare anymore.
Thank you
Peace be with you
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