(The reason I am posting this item is I think it's interesting the concern from the VA concerning exposure to asbestos. Pat was exposed to asbestos after being air-lifted from the war and returning to Ft. Bliss, Tx. Instead of being hospitalized, he was ordered to perform a duty at a facility that was undergoing asbestos removal. The contractors performing the asbestos removal had protective gear; the soldiers working there did not.
Pat was air-lifted out of the war due to a severe respiratory condition, and he lost 1/3 of his pulmonary function. However, he was still ordered to perform a duty at this facility, that was contaminated with asbestos and actively undergoing removal of the asbestos.)
Mesothelioma navy cases continue to rise, VA addresses concerns about PTSD
Thursday, January 21st, 2010
There has been a rise in concern for adequate healthcare for those returning home from service time over seas. Veteran hospitals across the country are taking a second look at the programs they offer and seeing need for more support during a soldier’s transition into civilian life.
Recognizing this void, the Syracuse VA Medical center has adopted a program in reaction to the increasing numbers of veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. This illness in particular has inhibited many soldiers returning home from combat.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is triggered by exposure to horrifying events, which for veterans are experienced while in combat. Those with PTSD have reoccurring frightening thoughts and possible flashback memories during their time at war. This condition often effects daily functioning and makes their transition back to home-life extremely difficult.
Suffering from ailments that were caused during a soldier’s service is an unfortunate occurrence that has become more prevalent due to higher awareness. Physical harm has also been a burden that some veterans are forced to face whether it be immediately or later in life.
A form of cancer that has been widely common among veterans is mesothelioma. This aggressive disease is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Because of asbestos’ large presence in the military, every branch was affected with airborne particles of asbestos. Navy shipyards were especially prone to then inhalation of this foreign product, since it was widely used in engine rooms and overall construction. Sadly, navy mesothelioma cases are all too common.
The Syracuse VA Medical Center is reacting to the increase of PSTD by creating a new program that gives support to not only the veterans, but the family members and care givers that are constantly challenged by the condition. Coordinator Ann Canastra emphasizes how taking care of the family will in turn better the care of veterans. The 12-week course is free and will focus on teaching family members about PTSD and ways deal with the illness and take care of themselves along the way.
This entry was posted on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 11:24 am and is filed under New York, News. http://www.maacenter.org/news/mesothelioma-navy-cases-continue-to-rise-va-addresses-concerns-about-ptsd.html)
PAT LAMOUREUX
PAT LAMOUREUX - One episode in a person's life, does not define the person.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
VA Defends Care After Vet's 'Suicide by Cop': Victim Had Been In PTSD Program
[Albuquerque Journal, N.M.]
Jan. 15--Veterans Affairs officials defended their behavioral health services Thursday after an Iraq war veteran committed "suicide by cop."
Meghan Gerety, the New Mexico Veteran's Affairs Heath Care Services chief of staff, outlined during a news conference the behavioral and mental health programs available to veterans for suicide prevention, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse.
"VA has the widest array of mental health services in the nation. And we're very fortunate, as an organization, to have a series of residential programs for veterans who are in need or in distress. We built that series of programs deliberately, to offer a continuum of care," Gerety said. "Somebody who's homeless can also potentially get treatment for substance abuse and get vocational and other educational counseling to be able to reintegrate into the community."
Gerety declined to discuss the case of Kenneth Ellis, who was shot by an Albuquerque Police Department detective Wednesday during a standoff at a Northeast Heights gas station. Ellis had been an infantryman with the U.S. Army, said his mother, Annelle Wharton.
He had been kicked out of an in-patient PTSD program at the Albuquerque VA Hospital for missing an appointment, she said. He tried to get back into the program, but was told his bed had been given to someone else, she said. (click below for complete article; and there is a related article below this link- read on......)
http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/20100115176688/Inside-Scoop/va-defends-care-after-vets-suicide-by-cop-victim-had-been-in-ptsd-program-albuquerque-journal-nm.html
Teague calls for PTSD help for vets
Updated: Friday, 15 Jan 2010, 5:43 PM MST
Published : Friday, 15 Jan 2010, 5:43 PM MST
Reporter: Kaitlin McCarthy
Web Producer: Devon Armijo
ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The horrors of war are following New Mexican military men and women home. Waves of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are coming home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Rep. Harry Teague, D-N.M., is trying to figure out how the government can give them more help.
Teague met with the people who work directly with veterans at the New Mexico Veterans Hospital Friday to figure out how to do a better job of screening for PTSD.
New provisions to the National Defense Authorization Act were signed into law, requiring that all military men and women get a face-to-face PTSD screening before and after a deployment.
Teague said the issue needs the country’s attention.
“We wanted to go over some of the challenges we're going to have with implementing that, the personnel that we're going to need, the other assets we're going to need and how we're going to do that,” Teague said.
Kenneth Ellis III, 25, an Iraq war veteran, was shot and killed by Albuquerque police on Eubank and Constitution on Wednesday. (click here for complete article:
Investigators said Ellis was holding a gun to his head and refused to put it down, so an officer shot and killed him. (click here for complete article: http://www.krqe.com/dpp/military/teague-calls-for-ptsd-help-for-vets)
Jan. 15--Veterans Affairs officials defended their behavioral health services Thursday after an Iraq war veteran committed "suicide by cop."
Meghan Gerety, the New Mexico Veteran's Affairs Heath Care Services chief of staff, outlined during a news conference the behavioral and mental health programs available to veterans for suicide prevention, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse.
"VA has the widest array of mental health services in the nation. And we're very fortunate, as an organization, to have a series of residential programs for veterans who are in need or in distress. We built that series of programs deliberately, to offer a continuum of care," Gerety said. "Somebody who's homeless can also potentially get treatment for substance abuse and get vocational and other educational counseling to be able to reintegrate into the community."
Gerety declined to discuss the case of Kenneth Ellis, who was shot by an Albuquerque Police Department detective Wednesday during a standoff at a Northeast Heights gas station. Ellis had been an infantryman with the U.S. Army, said his mother, Annelle Wharton.
He had been kicked out of an in-patient PTSD program at the Albuquerque VA Hospital for missing an appointment, she said. He tried to get back into the program, but was told his bed had been given to someone else, she said. (click below for complete article; and there is a related article below this link- read on......)
http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/20100115176688/Inside-Scoop/va-defends-care-after-vets-suicide-by-cop-victim-had-been-in-ptsd-program-albuquerque-journal-nm.html
Teague calls for PTSD help for vets
Updated: Friday, 15 Jan 2010, 5:43 PM MST
Published : Friday, 15 Jan 2010, 5:43 PM MST
Reporter: Kaitlin McCarthy
Web Producer: Devon Armijo
ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The horrors of war are following New Mexican military men and women home. Waves of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are coming home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Rep. Harry Teague, D-N.M., is trying to figure out how the government can give them more help.
Teague met with the people who work directly with veterans at the New Mexico Veterans Hospital Friday to figure out how to do a better job of screening for PTSD.
New provisions to the National Defense Authorization Act were signed into law, requiring that all military men and women get a face-to-face PTSD screening before and after a deployment.
Teague said the issue needs the country’s attention.
“We wanted to go over some of the challenges we're going to have with implementing that, the personnel that we're going to need, the other assets we're going to need and how we're going to do that,” Teague said.
Kenneth Ellis III, 25, an Iraq war veteran, was shot and killed by Albuquerque police on Eubank and Constitution on Wednesday. (click here for complete article:
Investigators said Ellis was holding a gun to his head and refused to put it down, so an officer shot and killed him. (click here for complete article: http://www.krqe.com/dpp/military/teague-calls-for-ptsd-help-for-vets)
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"Grandpa Pat & Kain"
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Pat Lamoureux - Iraq 2003
"Pat is an extraordinary, thoughtful, kind and generous man...not to mention a wonderful friend, in which one could always count upon to be there when in need." (words of a long time friend)
Pat's Family
Mica & Heather, grandson Kain