Wings and Warriors: Veteran Voices Being Heard

Hello Friends,

Thank you to so many of you for standing with us, and keeping us in your thoughts and prayers this week as we dealt with VA/prosthetics issues. I'd like to think that all of our voices were heard, and that maybe someday the VA will make veterans benefits more easy to access. The good news is that we are leaving OKC today with Jason in his new socket, which means he will be WALKING out of the airport! Hanger Clinic was extremely helpful in working with us to make sure Jason's needs were met. The bad news is that we are still waiting for the socket to be paid for by the VA. So far, it sounds like they are going to approve it and pay for it, we're just hoping for sooner than later. By no means am I trying to bash the VA, I'm simply pointing out the fact that some of the red-tape needs to change. Veterans should not need to fight so hard for access to their benefits that they already fought and served our country for.

Yesterday, a reporter from OKC's 9 News Channel, Steve Shaw, reached out to us after an anonymous source emailed him my previous blog post. We were honored to interview for the channel and share our story. Once again, the point of our interview was not to complain, but to bring attention to serious issues at hand that have a troubling effect on our lives and the lives of so many other veterans and their families around America. I understand that there is need for authorization and the VA should never hand out free money, but I believe that each veteran case is unique, and ought to be treated accordingly. If a veteran is missing three limbs and has constant issues with prosthetics that show up without warning, he should not have to make an appointment at a VA 2 hours away, then wait weeks for the appointment, then wait months for papers saying that the prosthetics care they need is or possibly is not approved. Every time that happens, that means months out of legs, sitting in a wheelchair. That pushes progress back, and means starting from scratch every time.

No one wants to be that aggressive, demanding person, but in this case, I feel that we did not have a choice. I felt backed into a corner that was only possible to escape by fighting at every possible angle we could think of. It makes me uncomfortable to have be so stern when it comes to Jason receiving his benefits, but as long as that is the only option, it's not a choice I get to make. I know that Jason, as well as thousands of other veterans, proudly served our country, trusting that our country would take care of them when they came home. I only hope that our country rises up to meet that responsibility. No hand-outs or frivilous charges, only justice and needs that these veterans have earned and were promised would be fulfilled.

Here is Jason's clip from last night's OKC 9 News! God bless!

War Veteran Travels From Colorado To Oklahoma For Help- News9.com

-Rachel Hallett

"This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Administer true justice;

show mercy and compassion to one another.'"

Zechariah 7:9