VNCC Cares and fights for Veterans
I just wanted to take some time to convey my appreciation and gratitude for this organization, and didn't know the best way to do it. So, thought I'd post here. Specifically for Amy Nicole Lacy. She fought for me. Fought hard. And, recently won. It has been such a long battle that I gave up years ago. This person did not. This post is only to highlight how grateful I am for people like Amy in this world and to tell my story for reference. If you care for more , please continue to read. If not, just know this organization cares for the veteran. Super hard to find true care like this.
I served as a Sniper in the Infantry in the 2000's with 101st Airborne Division. Most of my combat time was a part of the surge in the front lines of Afghanistan in the Arghandab River Valley. I suffered some superficial wounds throughout the deployment, but the remote location coupled with only a platoon of personnel made it difficult for any treatment for non-life threatening injuries. The ole "life, limb, eyesight" adage.
Long story short: One unfortunate morning, I was the target of an IED during an enemy ambush in the valley. This time, part of my face was ripped off along with the tip of my nose, lost eyesight in my right eye, and a large hole in my throat, etc. I was medevac'd after the battle and flown to the hospital.
It was a long road to recovery with such a severe head wound. I had to undergo cognitive therapy, speech therapy, etc. Re-learn some skills. Had a great surgeon fix my face with only small scarring left behind except for the throat since they left the shrapnel in and sowed over it.
I was forced to leave the infantry due to my injuries. In spite of this, I decided to continue to better myself. After 7 years, I graduated college with a Bachelor's degree and found a good job. After 10 years, I started a family with my wife.
Through all of this I still struggled with severe PTSD, vertigo, migraines, puking fits, balance, severe depression, survivor's guilt, and all the cliche crap we endure. It never improved, but I did. I found ways to live with it and succeed. I found ways to not let the voices convince me to just end it. End the misery right now.
The VA continued to set yearly appt's and track my health. Nothing changed. Except the fact that I was finding ways to support my family and secure a future for them outside the military. Seeing this the VA decided to decrease my percentage and take away more benefits over time. I continued to fight and maintain my percentage and disability benefits. Documented and provided dozens of medical reports over the years from my doctors clearly showing health is not only not better but deteriorating. Even showing high risk of early on set dementia with my memory loss. They didn't care. I lost my benefits.
Amy Nicole Lacy hears my story in 2022, and takes it upon herself to fight and right the ship. By this time I'm checked out and ready to quit life. Well, this week, we just got confirmation that everything is back and the ship has been righted. All in thanks to Amy and this organization. I cannot express enough how grateful I am, and how exhausting it has been the last 13 years. The amount of stress and weight from this has finally been lifted. Finally, tears of joy. Thank you.
5 de outubro de 2023
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