Wonderful story! My brother served two tours and is having trouble adjusting to civilian life. We saw the movie "Least Among Saints" over the weekend which focuses on the struggle of a returning veteran. After the movie, my brother and I started talking for the first time about his problems - isolation, avoidance and nightmares. I was so grateful that he was finally talking. Then we happened to watch 60 Minutes. We weren't aware there was going to be a "coming home" segment. My brother and I cried together for the second time in two days. He is now ready to explore his therapy options. Please share this 60 Minutes segment with other "lost" veterans and/or their families.
God bless you your brother and your family my friend. I'm an Afghan Vet so understand your bro's predicament. I served with 42 Commando Royal Marines and my name is Marcus. Thinking of your brother, stay strong :)
I am the mother of a veteran who returned from Iraq ,he has been in a spiral downhill ! I love him and hurt for him Daily, A path of self destruction . He now sits in the Delaware court system awaiting his sentence for burglary and possession!! He has never been in trouble prior to this, he has tried to get help and therapy to no avail. He isolates himself he became confused and began to self medicate, Not able to keep a job,or his marriage together. I do not know where to turn or what to do.. I love my son
Mr Pelley,
Tremendous Story, 100% well done I really appreciate the candidness of the veterans. At the start of the story who give backround AS IF it is a forgone conclusion that most of these VETS HAVE PTSD (given the symptoms they come home WITH). I am a retired (LTC) Army Psychiatric Nurse. I know for a fact the Vetrans Administration Hospital System, DOES NOT accept on face that these VETS HAVE PTSD.
If the come in with limbs missing, they are practically given a disability rating on sight. However they must PROVE beyond a reasonable doubt that they HAVE PTSD.
Could you follow up this story, with another to interview VA psychiatrists and VA administrators, Disability Rating Boards etc to give their reactions to your story about these VETS shown in your story?
There are more judges--95 of them, running veterans courts across the country. the first veterans court was started by Judge Robert Russell in Buffalo, NY in 2008. The Buffalo team, along with Justice for Vets, provides training and support to start-up courts (including Houston).
We needs to not only support wonderful programs such as the one highlighted on this episode,but we need provide solutions for the underlying core problem of PTSD. There are new treatment options that need to be expanded. I have suffered for 30 years with PTSD. I researched and have had success with with a Stellate Ganglion Block. I had the resources with need to make these options available to our vets. Dr. Lipov offers this treatment. www.chicagomedicalinnovations.org.
Hello Katth I have been suffering from PTSD for about 5 years it was brought on by a sudden death. Your article gave me hope because some days I feel like I am losing my mind. And like life is unreal, And my mind is stuck , also emotionless and very fearful. I had my Dr to fax over my medical information and I hope so badly this will start the train rolling in my brain again. please respond to me about how you feel/felt after the procedure. I need all the positive feedback I can get. Thank you
How about this: repeal some of the laws that make the drug trade and other things that should be legal illegal so that less people, veterans and not, are hit by them.
I write to bring your attention to another veteran who has fallen to PTSD. Lt.Col (retired) Robert M. Butts served in direct ground combat with distinction in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom I (2003) and III (2005). He served in an Infantry Division and/or Brigate Combat Team during every deployment widely enough to earn the right to permanently wear the patches of the 3rd Infantry Division, 24th Infantry Division, 42nd Infantry Division (NYARNG), 101st Infantry Division (Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade and 214th Field Artillery Brigade on the right shoulder of his uniform as a combat decoration. He served in units that received the Presidential Unit Citation (highest combat award) and the Meritorious Unit Citation. He was personally awarded the Bronze Star, in addition to many other decorations, both US and foreign TWICE for combat service.
After retiring in 2008 after 23 years of impeccable service to the US Army, what do you think this honorable soldier is doing these days? He's sitting in prison, serving out a 17- year sentence for attempted assault and rape.
In his trial a distinguished psychiatrist testified that he has severe PTSD which is compounded by other issues, including head injuries and exposure to chemical nerve agent and mustard agent while on active duty. Yet he was convicted with no consideration for his mental condition.
No only have his rights been violated in his trial and appeal, he is receiving virtually no competent, adequate nor relevant psychiatric treatment for his illness, though it is allegedly his right to receive. His grievances requesting treatment for PTSD have been denied, alleging that he is receiving "treatment". Over three years this has constituted about three individual appointments with counseling staff and a group therapy sessions in which he is the only combat veteran, the rest of the members are recovering addicts. Hardly what one would call relevant treatment for a complex problem.
Is there anyone out there who can help him? He doesn't deny the crime he committed, and he agonizes over it. But he does not deserve to rot in prison.
Someone help Lt.Col Robert M. Butts appeal his case and get the psychiatric care he needs and deserves. He needs a competent attorney willing to fight for him and his right to make things right.
If we don't do something, we are part of this country's willingness to USE our veterans and then DISCARD them.
Please log onto Change.org and start a petition to save this man. I would be more than happy to sign it. This is a gross miscarriage of justice. I recently posted a plea for a General Officer who had served five, 5, combat tours.
I don't believe it is just for us to prosecute these people without giving full consideration to the fact that prolonged and repetitive COMBAT tours have an immeasurable impact on good people. Further, until we know what that impact is, it needs to be given serious review and analyses.
In helping just one soldier, we help thousands and perhaps we can save some from killing themselves. We owe it to all of our military personnel.
Correction, he DOES deserve to rot in prison. I just so happen to be the woman this sick f__k victimized in the name of 'sleepwalking'. I'll tell you right off the bat; he was 100% coherent during the attack.
This coward not only had a lock pick kit, but also a .22 revolver, 4" hunting knife, plastic gloves covering his hands.. no shoes on, hood pulled tight around his face AND simulated rape videos on his hard drive. As the district attorneys of Pottawattamie County pointed out during the trial, Mr Creep would have had to make over 116 distinct decisions to end up in my apartment, pointing a gun in my face and trying to rape me.
Never mind the fact that we argued back and forth the entire time. Me pleading with him to just stop, go, don't do this IT'S RAPE.. Him asking if I were a virgin, if I had a boyfriend, telling me not to make a sound otherwise he'd hurt me.. Him forcefully removing my sweater, tank top, and bra before pining me to the bed to take off my pants..
Thank god my sister was able to cower in the bathroom closet and call 911. When we heard a knock at the front door and running footsteps he turned his attention from me - so I leapt up off the bed, grabbed the gun from the back of his waistband and shoved him into the hallway where the cops were waiting. He resisted arrest so violently the police had to tazer him. Let's not forget about him giving the detectives fake names & fake social security numbers during his initial questioning.
Does that REALLY sound like someone suffering from PTSD? Gulf War Syndrome? Sleepwalking?
NO, because he wasn't.
I, on the other had, do live with PTSD because of the entire incident. When I first began my therapy about two years ago, I ranked 87% for PTSD (anything above 50% on that particular test is considered mild to extreme). My symptoms included night terrors and flash backs, heightened anxiety, panic attacks, lack of motivation, I became extremely antisocial, almost failed out of college.. fought extreme depression and suicidal tendencies.. couldn't maintain romantic relationships and was on the brink of losing my job.
I'm happy to report that I've plateaued at 46% and am managing my issues free of medication. Unless you seriously petition to have him freed...
Richardson This is wonderful that these Vets are getting the care they deserve. Not all Vets are this lucky. My Brother served for 24 years in the Army. He did 3 tours overseas including Iraq and Afganistan. He has been diagnosed with PTSD by 3 experts. In Aug of 2011 he was arrested for assult and burglary. That night he kept repeating over and over" you have to run , they are going to kill us". He has been in the Columbiana County Jail in Lisbon Ohio since Aug.2011. He has been denied treatment by the courts over and over. He is now facing 10 years in prison. He has never had an altercation with the law in his life. He is a good man, loving father and grandfather. I pray every night the Judge will see this man as he truly is and let him go the the V.A. clinic for treatment in lieu of prison. His wife, Chrildren and his family are fighting for his life. He fought for ours. NOT ALL WOUNDS ARE VISABLE!
Absolutely PattyR2! Not only that, they failed to consider the suffering the family endures, not only from the seperations, but loss of medical and other benefits. Travesty.
Richardson This is wonderful that these Vets are getting the care they deserve. Not all Vets are this lucky. My Brothe rserved for 24 years in the Army. He did 3 tours overseas including Iraq and Afganistan. He has been diagnosed with PTSD by 3 experts. In Aug of 2011 he was arrested for assult and burglary. That night he kept repeating over and over" you have to run , they are going to kill us". He has been in the Columbiana County Jail in Lisbon Ohio since Aug.2011. He has been denied treatment by the courts over and over. He is now facing 10 years in prison. He has never had an altercation with the law in his life. He is a good man, loving father and grandfather. I pray every night the Judge will see this man as he truly is and let him go the the V.A. clinic for treatment in lieu of prison. His wife, Chrildren and his family are fighting for his life. He fought for ours. NOT ALL WOUNDS ARE VISABLE!
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Tremendous Story, 100% well done I really appreciate the candidness of the veterans. At the start of the story who give backround AS IF it is a forgone conclusion that most of these VETS HAVE PTSD (given the symptoms they come home WITH). I am a retired (LTC) Army Psychiatric Nurse. I know for a fact the Vetrans Administration Hospital System, DOES NOT accept on face that these VETS HAVE PTSD.
If the come in with limbs missing, they are practically given a disability rating on sight. However they must PROVE beyond a reasonable doubt that they HAVE PTSD.
Could you follow up this story, with another to interview VA psychiatrists and VA administrators, Disability Rating Boards etc to give their reactions to your story about these VETS shown in your story?
And my mind is stuck , also emotionless and very fearful. I had my Dr to fax over my medical information and I hope so badly this will start the train rolling in my brain again. please respond to me about how you feel/felt after the procedure. I need all the positive feedback I can get. Thank you
After retiring in 2008 after 23 years of impeccable service to the US Army, what do you think this honorable soldier is doing these days? He's sitting in prison, serving out a 17- year sentence for attempted assault and rape.
In his trial a distinguished psychiatrist testified that he has severe PTSD which is compounded by other issues, including head injuries and exposure to chemical nerve agent and mustard agent while on active duty. Yet he was convicted with no consideration for his mental condition.
No only have his rights been violated in his trial and appeal, he is receiving virtually no competent, adequate nor relevant psychiatric treatment for his illness, though it is allegedly his right to receive. His grievances requesting treatment for PTSD have been denied, alleging that he is receiving "treatment". Over three years this has constituted about three individual appointments with counseling staff and a group therapy sessions in which he is the only combat veteran, the rest of the members are recovering addicts. Hardly what one would call relevant treatment for a complex problem.
Is there anyone out there who can help him? He doesn't deny the crime he committed, and he agonizes over it. But he does not deserve to rot in prison.
Someone help Lt.Col Robert M. Butts appeal his case and get the psychiatric care he needs and deserves. He needs a competent attorney willing to fight for him and his right to make things right.
If we don't do something, we are part of this country's willingness to USE our veterans and then DISCARD them.
Please log onto Change.org and start a petition to save this man. I would be more than happy to sign it. This is a gross miscarriage of justice. I recently posted a plea for a General Officer who had served five, 5, combat tours.
I don't believe it is just for us to prosecute these people without giving full consideration to the fact that prolonged and repetitive COMBAT tours have an immeasurable impact on good people. Further, until we know what that impact is, it needs to be given serious review and analyses.
In helping just one soldier, we help thousands and perhaps we can save some from killing themselves. We owe it to all of our military personnel.
This coward not only had a lock pick kit, but also a .22 revolver, 4" hunting knife, plastic gloves covering his hands.. no shoes on, hood pulled tight around his face AND simulated rape videos on his hard drive. As the district attorneys of Pottawattamie County pointed out during the trial, Mr Creep would have had to make over 116 distinct decisions to end up in my apartment, pointing a gun in my face and trying to rape me.
Never mind the fact that we argued back and forth the entire time. Me pleading with him to just stop, go, don't do this IT'S RAPE.. Him asking if I were a virgin, if I had a boyfriend, telling me not to make a sound otherwise he'd hurt me.. Him forcefully removing my sweater, tank top, and bra before pining me to the bed to take off my pants..
Thank god my sister was able to cower in the bathroom closet and call 911. When we heard a knock at the front door and running footsteps he turned his attention from me - so I leapt up off the bed, grabbed the gun from the back of his waistband and shoved him into the hallway where the cops were waiting. He resisted arrest so violently the police had to tazer him. Let's not forget about him giving the detectives fake names & fake social security numbers during his initial questioning.
Does that REALLY sound like someone suffering from PTSD? Gulf War Syndrome? Sleepwalking?
NO, because he wasn't.
I, on the other had, do live with PTSD because of the entire incident. When I first began my therapy about two years ago, I ranked 87% for PTSD (anything above 50% on that particular test is considered mild to extreme). My symptoms included night terrors and flash backs, heightened anxiety, panic attacks, lack of motivation, I became extremely antisocial, almost failed out of college.. fought extreme depression and suicidal tendencies.. couldn't maintain romantic relationships and was on the brink of losing my job.
I'm happy to report that I've plateaued at 46% and am managing my issues free of medication. Unless you seriously petition to have him freed...