Former Stryker with PTSD says VA hospital threw him out
SEATTLE -- A former member of the 3rd Stryker brigade says the Veterans Affairs hospital system has failed him.
When Orlando Harris sought treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, he says he was thrown out of the hospital because of the symptoms of PTSD he displayed.
Orlando Harris is proud of his service in Iraq.
"We were in Mozul, Backubah, Baghdad," he said. "My biggest regret is separating from the military."
After four years of service, Harris was honorably discharged. But he has fallen on hard times since. He spent Thursday night at a hotel on Pacific Highway, but he didn't know where he would spend the next night, or the next.
Harris is homeless, unemployed and suffers from PTSD.
"It's like being in a hole," Harris said. "And even though it's really, really deep, there is a exit...you can see the top of it. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but it seems like an impossible task to get out."
It was this feeling of helplessness that made Harris check in to American Lake Veterans Hospital. He spent 25 days making progress, he said, before the hospital cut him loose. He was never given a reason for the discharge.
"Now, why would they do that? It's like having my heart ripped out of my chest," he said. "I was so proud of everything I did in the military for my country and my comrades. And now seeking treatment, the VA basically threw me out in the streets."
There were no confrontations, no drugs, no alcohol, Harris said; there was, however, one therapy session that became intense.
"I got worked up in one of the sessions, 30-minutes into this hour-long group. And I excused myself," Harris said.
Alone, Harris is on a number of medications.
"Noon - anti-depressants, and anxiety pills in the evening," he said.
Desperate, he has reached out to Sen. Patty Murray's office. Murray, D-Wash., sympathizes with Harris.
"We need to make sure that as they get into the VA system, they get accurate, quick treatment," she said. "That if they ask for help, help is there... and we have a long ways to go."
No one at American Lake Veterans Hospital could be reached for comment. Harris' case worker was also not available.
Harris said he plans to try returning to the hospital in a month.
"I discharged my weapon in service to my country in highly-hostile combat environments," he said. "For them to know this and then discharge me the way that they did -- I don't think it's right."
When Orlando Harris sought treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, he says he was thrown out of the hospital because of the symptoms of PTSD he displayed.
Orlando Harris is proud of his service in Iraq.
"We were in Mozul, Backubah, Baghdad," he said. "My biggest regret is separating from the military."
After four years of service, Harris was honorably discharged. But he has fallen on hard times since. He spent Thursday night at a hotel on Pacific Highway, but he didn't know where he would spend the next night, or the next.
Harris is homeless, unemployed and suffers from PTSD.
"It's like being in a hole," Harris said. "And even though it's really, really deep, there is a exit...you can see the top of it. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but it seems like an impossible task to get out."
It was this feeling of helplessness that made Harris check in to American Lake Veterans Hospital. He spent 25 days making progress, he said, before the hospital cut him loose. He was never given a reason for the discharge.
"Now, why would they do that? It's like having my heart ripped out of my chest," he said. "I was so proud of everything I did in the military for my country and my comrades. And now seeking treatment, the VA basically threw me out in the streets."
There were no confrontations, no drugs, no alcohol, Harris said; there was, however, one therapy session that became intense.
"I got worked up in one of the sessions, 30-minutes into this hour-long group. And I excused myself," Harris said.
Alone, Harris is on a number of medications.
"Noon - anti-depressants, and anxiety pills in the evening," he said.
Desperate, he has reached out to Sen. Patty Murray's office. Murray, D-Wash., sympathizes with Harris.
"We need to make sure that as they get into the VA system, they get accurate, quick treatment," she said. "That if they ask for help, help is there... and we have a long ways to go."
No one at American Lake Veterans Hospital could be reached for comment. Harris' case worker was also not available.
Harris said he plans to try returning to the hospital in a month.
"I discharged my weapon in service to my country in highly-hostile combat environments," he said. "For them to know this and then discharge me the way that they did -- I don't think it's right."
Sign in
- Comment help
- Get Livefyre
Sort: Newest | Oldest
