Fisher House Donations

Give our Soldiers Respect, Support, and Latest Technology!

I have served in the U.S. Air Force and my husband is currently an active duty member, so I felt it important to speak for the men and women in uniform that have and will be returning home from the war. I can only imagine what it must be like for the soldiers that have lost a limb or the use of their extremities during the Iraqi war.

I know we all wish there was more we could do to help them. I feel that although the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs once addressed the needs of amputee's back in 2004, the issue should be reintroduced and more programs and official policies should be made and put into place. Most soldiers that have lost limbs have had to be medically discharged due to their inability to serve at a 100% capacity. This could not be more devastating to a soldier and it makes them feel as though they've been discarded as they've left the service. Reality sets in and the prestige and support they were once given by our country is no longer recognized, especially for the remainder of their lives.

There should be a standard issue of modern medical devices, "top of the line", with the most innovative technology for prosthetic limbs, mobile devices, and physical therapy techniques. While working at Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, I took note of the many amputees coming through the hospital system with inadequately formed and fitted prosthetic limbs and devices. Some medically issued devices were most primitive and issued by inexperienced or lower budgeted military hospitals. All military hospitals should have the same standard of care for amputees. A budget should be created, large enough to continue the service and upgrade of these limbs and devices for the remainder of a soldier's life.
Recreational centers should be built on every military base, offering a social network and physical rehab to war veterans. Consideration for their different handicaps should be covered in the architecture and structure of the centers. One Center for the Intrepid at BAMC just won’t do. Why don’t we put our money where our mouth is and assist in the creation and support for these services directly. I’m sure we all would be glad to devote our time to this cause. Here’s a URL giving to the cause. I am in no way affiliated with it, I’m just a vet showing how to give back. http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/ http://www.fisherhouse.org/