Army Wives Take Action

Women Bypass VA To Get Better Care For Their Injured Husbands

(CBS)  There have been heartbreaking stories about the shoddy level of veterans' care since the beginning of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two Army wives decided that wasn't good enough for them, and, as CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports, they took matters into their own hands.

"I just couldn't accept what we were being told by the VA," says Marissa Behee.

Behee is not a soldier, but she's one of the fiercest warriors of the Iraq War. Ever since her husband, Staff Sgt. Jarod Behee, was shot in the head, she has been fighting for him — and against a Veterans Administration she says was unprepared for the needs of grievously wounded soldiers.

"It's not just Jarod. I mean, he's one of how many that are coming home with a signature head wound. There are so many more out there, and this cannot continue to happen to all those people coming home," she says.

A sniper's bullet drove fragments of Jarod's skull deep into his brain. He probably would not have survived in an earlier war, according to Dr. Rocco Armondo.

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Couric & Co: For Wounded Soldiers, A Place "Where Miracles Happen" — And It's Not The VA

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With Jarod's life saved, the next battle was at the Palo Alto, Calif., VA hospital where, Marissa says, her husband wasn't getting the therapy he needed.

"It felt like we were just in this holding pattern and our next step in their book was a nursing home," she said. "To me, that wasn't a great plan."

On her own, Marissa found Casa Colina, a private rehabilitation hospital in southern California.

Marissa says she saw a change in Jarod immediately.

"We went from three months at the VA telling us that Jarod can't do this, he can't do that. Then we came here and they got him on his feet and tried walking him around the gym, just to see what he was capable of and to know what they had to work on."

How did it feel to Jarod?

"It felt great," he says. "I was actually getting therapy."

Despite his brain injury, Jarod was capable of walking and more; he was able to work as a hospital assistant. Had Marissa not been so persistent, she says, Jarod "would be sitting in a nursing home right now."

With her battle won, Marissa went to work on a Web site to tell other families what Casa Colina had done for her husband.

"They told us 'Never give up. Remember Sgt. Behee,'" says Jenny Breist, whose husband, Corey, had also suffered a devastating head wound..

"We didn't know who Sgt. Behee was," Jenny says, "so we just Googled 'Sgt. Behee' and his Web site came up. His wife, Marissa, had on there, 'Any injury soldiers' families, please contact me.'"

Corey was in a different VA hospital, but his wife was fighting the same battle for more therapy. She found it when Marissa pointed her to Casa Colina.

"It's just unbelievable," says Jenny. "The first week you could tell huge differences in Corey."

Corey remains severely handicapped, but he is out of the hospital and once again a father to his children.

"My biggest wish in life was just to have him be at home with his family. And it's happened," says Jenny.

But it wouldn't have happened if two young wives hadn't gone to war against the VA.

"He would be sitting in a nursing home right now," Jenny said.

[bb19631]

military wives are very self sufficent., we will not take no for an answer-when it comes to our husbands. we will do the fighting if they are not able too. we will be heard no matter what. the goverment was not prepared when we went to war. alot of these soldiers are alive because of the outstanding care being provided to them on the battle field. those field docs and medics, and nurses are outstandind in what they do..now, lets get it together on the home front, and follow thru with the needed medical care.

[grammawhamma]

I did 3 months of my nurse's training at a large well known VA hospital in the 1970's. It was a hell-hole even back then. It saddens me that our veterans are treated like this...when they, of all people, deserve the very best.

[michellem99-2009]

I can't even watch the news as that illdal war over seas that the boys and girls are fighting breaks my heart. Yet when they come home they are all messed up. So this nanny govt sends them over there and then comes homes as the saying Sorry or more like it mo care for them. I am not a vet but I will be frank with you I am scared of the VAMCs when my sight room mate goes there that I tell him take yer cell so I can talk to you. Yes he is a vet. My Dad is. I have heard vets be pissed their drs won't tell them nothing. So due to this he put together his own library to know. How are they s'pose take of his/her health if they are told nothing.. Ask as it is your body and you do have a right to know..I have never liked it when they beat around the issues. Also the hospitals are not as clean as they should be. If he have to stay over night,he dreads it..Can't blame him. VAMCs need to be funded so they can properly take care of them. I am a legally blind person. Thank you vets.

[starleo146]

I spent a lot of time just thinking , what has happened to American values this administration has been the most unconscionable that has ever been in our history and it started in 2000 when he wanted power at any cost and has cared about nothing but that ever since. These troops have suffered the worst injuries and so many almost 13000 severe injuries and close to 30000 total and 3640 dead and still he does not make sure his troops our troops get the best of care he has never really cared about anything but himself and the power. I have always tried to support my president it didn't matter republican or democrat he is our president but this man and his vice president do not have my respect nothing but contempt for all the wrong and disgrace they have brought to this great country and deserve the greatest punishment a country can give them along with the justice system who stands by and lets him get away with it and the supreme court as well. Why do these dependents of our veteran have to fight, because of corruption in our system, and until we stand up for right and punish all that have cooperated with this wrong it will never be fixed. God bless all of you who have served so well and done your job but your commander-in-chief wants more that is what happens with power mongers. Never quite satisfied got to get more power.

[tcoleman12]

What type of Pork or democrat concessions were figured into the bill for Walter Reed that these Republican Senators voted against, bluestardad?

John Cornyn is my Senator and he has been a champion for our soldiers on every front. If he and these others voted against this, there is probably a good reason for it.

[ileneyes]

I read the story on Sgt. Behee and I too can relate to Doctors saying "there is nothing more we can do"! How do they truly know that? Do they know the person before the accident? The answer is "No" they just have to go with what they know and turst me most Doctors do not know enough about Tramatic Brain Injury" if they did they would not sya the things they do! My brother has been laying in a hospital for eight months after a motorcycle accident, not his fault. He cannot open his eyes talk or do anything and day after day he just lays there. We must push for more studies and give more money to studies on TBI! Familes need to know what they can do to bring their loved on back to what they once were! I feel for anyone who has to watch a once active, energectic loved one day after day knowing that "time is running out or they systeam is letting them down"! Be forceful and let the Doctors know you will not settle for a nursing home, you must get someone to accept your loved one in rehab. I loved the stroy and I hope ours has a great ending like the Behee Family!
Sincerely.
Eileen Penkalski

[bluestardad]

Here are a list of the Republican Senators up for Reelection in 08. THEY BLOCKED FUNDING FOR WALTER REED HOSPITAL!

Ask them how much AIPAC influences their vote on Iraq? Is their support for Israel more than their duty to the Americans living in their states?


Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)



If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

The House Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[e-mail] Here is the Republican Party email address too!

[e-mail] Here is the Democratic Party email address also!

[tmkgls]

What love and devotion these women have for their spouses. I applaud them for standing up and taking things into their own hands. The government has no use for these men any more so they just shove them away in nursing homes. The men and women that serve our country - even when the government is wrong - deserve much better treatment than they have been given. Instead of building that 500 plus million dollar compound with pools, beauty shops, and more in Iraq, the money would be much better spent on our men and women in the Armed Forces. The priorities of our government are basically narcissistic.

[fastfredy1]

The VA yesterday lowered my disability from 44% to 20%. They told me that I am getting better. Now with that said. It came from a person sitting at a desk not a doctor. I asked them how they knew. They told me they just decided that. Yet I go next week for more injections into my spine that has crushed disks and I have 2 titanium plates in my neck from spinal surgury. Yet according to the VA I am ok. What do I do. I have appealed and appealed. I have had my doctors and surgouns send them reports telling them I am not ok. But they give themselves raises

[harp1963]

These men and women should receive the five star service Bechtel and Haliburton received from Bush and Cheney when they were given billions in unbid government contracts. Our maimed veterans are in this boat because of greed and this administration should be held accountable by Congress.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07073/769125-51.stm

This war had nothing to do with 9/11:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/09/60minutes/main592330.shtml

[lastdance2]

A Republican Presidential Commission

In 2005, a Republican Committee appeared, before The Congress saying :
The Veterans Claim, on the PTSD issue was Fraudulent.
They urged the Congress to Stop the Treatment, of the veteran for the PTSD issue.

Also ! They urged the Congress to stop paying the veteran.
Compensation for the veterans claim of having : PTSD.

By 1980, five (5) years after the Viet-Nam war had ended.
The combination of suicide and suicide induced accidents.

Committed by the Viet-Nam combatant, was at fifty two percent. (52%)

Which means : That within five (5) years, after the Viet-Nam war had ended.
Over half of the Viet-Nam combatants. Who had survived the war and returned home.

Were now dead - By their own hand.

The suicide rate of : The veterans of Iraqi, has already begun.

The issue of PTSD is being scrutinized by the American Enterprise Institute.
They are saying : PTSD is a liberal hippie dream.

Lynne Cheney the Wife of : V.P. Cheney, Is on the Board of Directors.
(The American Enterprise Institute)

This is the Real Attitude, of the Republican Party,
The Bush - Cheney Administration's
Concern - Towards - The Combat Veterans of Today.

The Republican Party
The Bush - Cheney Administration's
Gift of Patriotism - and - Appreciation
To the Combat Veteran

Profound Display of : "Family Values"

Within their own actions - Lay - their True Feelings.


Lastdance

[citizenusa-2009]

When Bush and Cheney are finally out of office, a condition of their retirement needs to be addressed. They need to begin paying back by working in a VA Hospital. They wanted the war so badly and felt comfortable for others to pay the price. Chickenhawks? You betcha.

[care65]

It is unfortunate that much of the public does not have 1st hand experience with the VA, and can base their opinions on how the media wishes to portray the care received. No system is without fault, however, I have seen many success stories come out of the VA that are ignored by the media. Positive inspiring stories do not make national news headlines.

[pugster]

I'm not against the troops. While the government spends millions per soldier for recovery and rehabilitation, they don't think that they should spend a few thousand for a civilian who will probably die if that person does not get treatment.

[shadow554]

Where has everyone been? Treatment of patients in VA Hospitals has been abhorrent for a long time! My Father was a patient at a VA Hospital and a VA nursing home and I could tell many stories. Our veterans deserve better and a task group should look into ALL VA Hospitals and Nursing Homes.