Episodes
Wednesday May 27, 2015
Warrior Connection - 05.24.15
Wednesday May 27, 2015
Wednesday May 27, 2015
We continue our efforts on education to taking care of our warriors with a discussion with Jim Dolan. Jim is the Executive Director of the Laurus Foundation, an organization to advance the lives of individuals with disabilities and he is the co-founder of The Healer Warrior Initiative. The Healer Warrior Initiative, is a self-healthcare training program teaching Veterans to take better care of themselves, their families, and their fellow Veterans using non-invasive therapies to reduce physical, emotional and mental pain in order to reduce the high number of veteran suicides.
Jim also serves on the board of scientific and professional advisers for The Institute for Traumatic Stress. He is also the co-chair of the Illinois Joining Forces Behavioral Health Working Group's Complimentary and Alternative Medicine subcommittee.
other resources
braveheartsriding.org
movie-documentary ' THE HIDDEN ENEMY'
Documentaries to watch:
WARTORN 1861-2010
http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/wartorn-1861-2010#/
An HBO documentary that Chronicles the history of PTSD, battle fatigue, combat stress, shell shock, etc. from the Civil War to the current conflicts.
It utterly dispels the notion that overcoming PTSD/Combat Stress is a matter of will or character. It is a wound that must be healed.
The Hidden Enemy: Inside Psychiatry's Covert Agenda
http://www.cchr.org/videos/the-hidden-enemy.html
A piecing documentary about the unholy alliance between the military’s psychiatric community and Big Pharma’s push to make the use of psychotropic drugs today’s standard of care.
How treating PTSD/combat stress as a mental Illness first instead of as a result of trauma has led to the drugging of our Veterans and contributed to the 22 Veteran suicides each day, day after day.
Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare
http://www.escapefiremovie.com
ESCAPE FIRE examines the powerful forces maintaining the status quo, a medical industry designed for quick fixes rather than prevention, for profit-driven care rather than patient-driven care
Websites to visit:
Number to call for help:
Jim Dolan
Executive Director
Laurus Foundation
630-750-5522
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Warrior Connection - 05.17.15
Wednesday May 20, 2015
Wednesday May 20, 2015
In a crises contact VA chaplains for help at 800-320 8387 press "O" for operator and ask for chaplain. The VA national hot line has come under congressional heat too as a result of response problems and is making improvements too. 800-273-talk press "1" for vets.
My quilt
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An Angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But
as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares were. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and death, and false accusations that took from me my world as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who
Unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through.
Please share this with someone you love, care about or even someone who needs Jesus in their heart. They may scoff, but at least the seed has been planted, and God will do the rest. May God bless you today and Forever.
Sunday May 10, 2015
Warrior Connection - 05.10.15
Sunday May 10, 2015
Sunday May 10, 2015
During May 10 warrior Connection Denise and Doug discussed last weeks Va research Advisory board meeting and round table discussion with a bunch of vets, hot line investigation under U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (DC 202 224-5274 or Miami 305-536-5999) , and DoD admission hot line for chemical exposures. ODS, OIF OEF OND VETS SHOULD CALL ARMY HOT LINE AT 800 497 6261 if they think they were exposed to ensure medical care and notify their va or civilian primary care physician. .
Monday May 04, 2015
Warrior Connection - 05.03.15
Monday May 04, 2015
Monday May 04, 2015
A discussion with Dr / Colonel Bart Billings on his book
FROM THE BATTLEFIELD TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Getting Back to Normal
Dr. Bart Billings has served in the U.S. Army for approximately 34 years, both as an Enlisted Combat Engineer and a Medical Service Corps Officer. He has treated and educated tens of thousands of veterans as a clinical psychologist in the military and civilian private practice. He was the Chief of Professional Services and the Assistant Director at the University of California, Davis Teaching Hospital's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, was the Commanding Officer for a Army Reserve General Hospital Section, has served on the Palomar College Heroes Education Board and has served on the California Governors Advisory Board at Patton State Hospital. He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, holds a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist and is the Director and Founder (started it while in the military 22 years ago) of the longest running, now civilian, Combat Stress Conference on the planet (International Military And Civilian Combat Stress Conference). He has appeared on numerous television and radio shows, including ABC's Night Line, U.S. News and World Report, HBO's Vice News Program, etc. and despite a successful career, spanning nearly 48 years, where most other would welcome retirement, he has chosen to begin an especially sacrilegious path of exposing problems within his own field of mental health by writing this incredible book.