Veterans

KNR 365

Disabilities

• More than 23 million veterans have physical and mental disabilities sustained during service in Iraq & Afghanistan (May, 2012)– Spinal cord injuries – Auditory and visual limitations – Amputations– Burns– Traumatic brain injury (TBI)– PTSD– Polytrauma

Polytrauma• Polytrauma" was termed by VA to describe injuries to multiple

body parts and organs occurring as a result of blast-related wounds seen in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently occurs in polytrauma in combination with other disabling conditions, such as amputation, auditory and visual impairments, spinal cord injury (SCI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other medical conditions.

• Due to the severity and complexity of their injuries, Veterans and Service members with polytrauma can require an extraordinary level of coordinated and integrated clinical and other support services.

• United States Department of Veteran Affairs

IED: Improvised Explosive Device

• A device placed or fabricated in an improvised manner incorporating destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals and designed to destroy, incapacitate, harass, or distract.

• About.com US Military

• Anyone within 500 yards of these explosions may experience this type of TBI

Other Issues

ATRA Network: Bert Gillette (2012)

• Impact on family• Divorce rate• Suicide• Addiction• Joblessness• Lack of continuity of care• Challenges of successful

reintegration• Homelessness

Returning Home form Iraq and Afghanistan (2013)

• Problems with social relationships

• Problems with parenting• Family stress• Outbursts• Unemployment /

Underemployment• Sexual trauma

TRIBUTE TO WOUNDED SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS (4:20)

Amputation and other:

J. R. MARTINEZ & KARINA – RUMBA – DWTS 2011 FULL (7:00)

Burns:

MILITARY FAMILIES COPE WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AT WEST ORANGE HOSPITAL (8:11)

TBI:

SOLDIER COPING WITH PTSD (3:39)PTSD:

MST: MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA (2:25)

IN SUPPORT OF OUR HOMELESS VETERANS (6:29)

Real Warriors * Real BattlesReal Strength

• The Real Warriors Campaign promotes help-seeking behavior among service members and veterans with invisible wounds – Active Duty– National Guard & Reserve– Veterans – Families

• Psychological health & TBI

Real Warriors * Real BattlesReal Strength

• http://www.realwarriors.net/ • 24/7 crisis line• Live chat• Podcasts• Message boards• Available on Smartphone

Interventions

• Animal assisted therapy– Pet therapy– Equine therapy• BraveHearts• http://www.braveheartsriding.org/

• Outdoor adventure therapy• Adapted sports• Indoor rock climbing– High risk activities

Interventions

• Adaptive fly fishing• Golf• Fishing• White water rafting• Hand cycling• Skiing• Snowboarding

• Higher Ground Program– 1 week programs– 6-8 vets & family or close

friends

• Lundberg, Bennett, & Smith– TRJ, 2011– Increase perceived

competence & vigor– Decrease depression,

tension & anger

Interventions

• Six Strings Heroes Guitar Clinic at Jefferson Barracks

• AllenForce

Interventions

• Rand Invisible Wounds of War Project– http://www.rand.org/multi/military/veterans.html

• United States Department of Veteran Affairs– http://www.va.gov/

• PTSD Pilots PTSD Database• Professional Assistance• Special Events (Media Room)• Sports Clubs Finder (IL)

• Therapeutic Recreation Journal (+ others)• Returning Home from Iraq and Afghanistan: Assessment of

Readjustment Needs of Veterans, Service Members, and Their Families (2013)– http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=13499