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A Mother’s Perspective: The 2010 AW2 Symposium

By Luana Schneider, AW2 Mother

Luana Scheider (right) witnessed her son Scott Stephenson (left) publicly advocate for burn victims at the 2010 AW2 Symposium

When my son Sgt Scott Stephenson (Ret) and I decided to attend the AW2 2010 Symposium, we were unsure of what to expect. It was a poignant experience. We met so many wonderful people that we hope to have lasting relationships with and now feel a little less alone.

By hearing stories from others and how they deal with the issues that face so many of our wounded Soldiers, we felt we gave and received huge amounts of very useful information. We were also a part of initiating changes that will affect all of our wounded, whether they were in attendance or not.

By hearing all of the issues, not just ours, we were able to better understand what others are facing in their own communities. And the staff and volunteers were so helpful and informative. We could not have asked for a better experience.

My son was also one of the media spokespersons at the AW2 Symposium and was asked to give a live interview at 7:40 in the morning. Now for anyone who knows Scott, that is no time to be getting up. But he really wanted to help support AW2 and be an advocate for all wounded military. We sincerely enjoyed the AW2 Stratcom representatives; they were there prepping us on the proper ways to speak to the media. They were also very interested in Scott’s issues on being a burn patient. Scott equated being a burn patient to “being wrapped in saran wrap–your skin cannot breathe or sweat and you lose the ability to feel the breeze or the light touch of another living being.” This was an analogy that the media seemed to understand well.

It seems when we are outside of the Army, we lose touch with that military camaraderie. Having that for a week was an excellent mental boost for Scott. He returned happier and better equipped for dealing with his issues as well as wanting to be more on the front lines of our own non-profit organization. He blossomed at the symposium. And as a mother, I could not be prouder of him.

The Flag

Filed under 2010 Symposium, Holiday by jvargas on July 2, 2010 at 3:52 pm {no comments}

By COL Jim Rice, AW2 Director

COL Rice stands for the pledge of allegiance during an AW2 Symposium event.

As I was out running this week, I noticed the display of more and more flags in the neighborhood. Large ones on front porches. Small ones even lined the
borders of a few yards. I love seeing the proud display of the American Flag.

Perhaps it was spending a week with wounded warrior’s kids last week at the AW2 Symposium, but seeing all the flags out in preparation for July 4th made me think about saying the pledge of allegiance each day in school. “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Hand on heart, eyes on flag, all in unison.

Our flag makes a powerful statement. Where ever it is, there is freedom—or the fight for it.

Currently, each Soldier wears a flag patch on their uniform—which I often get asked about because it looks as though it’s backwards. But rather, it’s to appear that the flag is flying in the breeze as the Soldier moves forward. This dates back to when both mounted cavalry and infantry units would designate a standard bearer, who carried the flag into battle. The Soldier’s forward momentum caused the flag to stream back. For me, this patch represents the Army’s “forward lean” in fighting and protecting the freedoms represented by our flag. It’s a patch I am proud to wear.

During the holiday weekend, I’m sure even more flags will be on display and raised proudly in parades. I encourage everyone to take a moment to really stop and think about all that the United States flag represents, and to say a prayer for those who defend it.

Stories Offer a Glimpse into Life Post Injury

Filed under 2010 Symposium, Soldier and Family Story, Soldier Story, Symposium by jvargas on June 22, 2010 at 6:47 pm {no comments}

Retired CW3 James Hume talks about life with PTSD.

Emily Oehler, WTC Stratcom

This morning, I had the honor of listening to three people tell their personal story. While each story was unique, heartfelt and powerful—they all showed the full impact of a life with a severe injury, and the impact on the Family. I was in awe as retired Chief Warrant Officer James Hume, Army spouse Gina Hill and retired Sergeant Scott Stephenson shared their stories at the Army Wounded Warrior Program’s (AW2) Symposium.

As I watched James speak, he looked like corporate America—dark suit, clean cut, distinguished. Actually, he looked a lot like actor Bill Pullman who played the president in Will Smith’s Independence Day. Watching him, it was hard to connect what he was saying to his calm, poised demeanor. James suffers from PTSD and mild TBI. Although he received treatment at the combat stress unit in Balad, Iraq, cognitive behavior training at Walter Reed, and coping skills therapy through the Veterans Administration, it wasn’t until he returned home that it all really hit him.

“I returned home, my Family and I were hit hard with the symptoms of PTSD. My condition got worse in my new environment and over the following six months my situation deteriorated to a crisis mode. As a result, I was admitted to the Dallas VA for two weeks to stabilize my condition with medications. About three months later, I was admitted to a seven week inpatient PTSD program at the Waco, Texas VA. It was there, for once, I finally received what I call a well rounded education on PTSD. I was able to process my traumas, recognize triggers, and attempt to alter my behavior. This awareness does not cure PTSD but is intended to improve the quality of life for the Veteran and that also translates to the Family. My wife Diana and I feel awareness, education, and treatment should be extended to the Family members for they are an integral part of the Family dynamics and in many cases Family is all you have left.”

A Marine and Army reservist for nearly 30 years, James served in the Persian Gulf War and volunteered to deploy to Iraq with an ordinance unit. In Iraq he went on missions for route clearance and foot patrols throughout the villages which exposed him to multiple IEDs, mortar and rocket fire and resulted in life-altering injuries.

“This is not the person I use to be. I even avoid people that knew me before so they do not know me now. I try to protect a reputation that is now masked behind incompetence. As a reserve Soldier, this impacted not only my military career but also my civilian career and almost cost me my Family. I have worked hard with coping mechanisms but they also have limits. I can’t respectfully articulate what it is like to live with PTSD. The closest I can come is to imagine your mind is no longer your mind, your life is no longer your life, your dreams are no longer your dreams, you’re not the husband your wife deserves, you’re not the father your children deserve, you’re not the friend your friends deserve, you’re not a contributor to society but rather you view yourself as a burden. To simplify, imagine a life with a broken spirit. This may seem extreme to a normal person but it is normal for a person with PTSD.”

SGT Allen Hill’s wife Gina added that, “While the majority of Allen’s physical, or visible, wounds have healed, our Family still struggles daily with the psychological wounds. Often times, these are called the invisible wounds, but I have a hard time calling them that, for they are very visible to anyone who spends any amount of time with him.”

Gina then spoke about the impact of her husband’s TBI and PTSD on their Family. “These psychological wounds greatly affect not only the Soldier, but the entire Family. My husband’s triggers are now triggers for myself as well as our children. In the rare times we are away from my husband, we are constantly on high alert for his triggers. It is next to impossible for us to turn that off. Our kids have had to become caregiver’s for their dad instead of just being kids. They are well rehearsed in PTSD, calling 911, and explaining why their dad has a service dog, why he isn’t at many of their events, and why he sometimes acts really weird. They also have to understand that plans are never set in stone and are always contingent on their dad’s current mental state.”

She added that, “The struggles I face specifically as a spouse of a warrior suffering with PTSD are many as well. It is difficult watching the person you love fighting to get back to the person they were before war because they do remember what they used to be like, they just can’t figure out how to get back to that person. We have worked very hard to focus on the best he can be now, not who he was. Every part of him is different and when I say every, I mean every. With that being said, it is extremely difficult being married to someone who is completely different than when you married him. There are times that I see glimpses of the man I married, but they are few and far between.”

Her husband commented, “I wish I could get back to the old me for my Family’s sake, my wife’s sake. I know they long for the person I used to be.”

The life-long challenges retired SGT Scott Stephenson talked about were more physical. As a SAW gunner, he experienced third and fourth degree burns over 66 percent of his body and the amputation of his left foot as a result of an IED explosion. “I was sent to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio where I received the best possible care and treatment. My treatment has been a long, hard road, and is still ongoing. Trying to describe living with burns is tough, and the best explanation I can come up with is, it’s like living with most of your body wrapped in air-tight saran wrap. I can’t feel the breeze on my skin.”

With all their challenges, each Family continues to serve and give back through nonprofits they’ve started, those they volunteer with, and through the stories they share so that other wounded Soldiers, Veterans, and Families know they are not alone.

Delegates Meet Key Resources at Symposium

Filed under 2010 Symposium, Community Support Network, Resources, Symposium by jvargas on June 21, 2010 at 7:54 pm {2 comments}

AW2 Symposium delegates James and Diana Hume meet with representatives of the San Antonio Vet Center at AW2's Community Support Exhibit Hall.

By Sarah Greer, WTC Stratcom

There’s so much energy in the Community Support Exhibit Hall here at the AW2 Symposium. Delegates are learning about valuable resources provided by the 23 organizations attending.

I got a chance to talk to most of the exhibitors today, and their enthusiasm was contagious. So many had stories to share about their work with wounded warriors and Families—and their plans to expand to serve even more Soldiers and Veterans. These organizations are an incredible example of the commitment and compassion that thousands of organizations exhibit toward America’s wounded warriors every single day.

The organizations at this year’s Community Support Exhibit Hall include:

* Denotes organizations in the AW2 Community Support Network

Three years ago, Symposium delegates asked AW2 to help them learn more about the resources available to AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families. In response, AW2 launched the AW2 Community Support Network in 2009 to increase local community support for wounded warriors to assist in their reintegration and long-term success.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Department of Defense does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations.

Army Gathers Recommendations for Improvements

Filed under 2010 Symposium, Behavioral Health, Symposium by jvargas on June 20, 2010 at 7:58 pm {no comments}

Veteran Carlos Labarca-Cruz and his Family traveled from Puerto Rico to attend the 2010 AW2 Symposium in San Antonio, Texas.

By COL Jim Rice, AW2 Director

For the sixth year in a row, AW2 is bringing in more than 65 delegates—severely wounded, injured and ill Soldiers, Veterans and their spouse/caregiver—to identify the top issues facing this population and recommend improvements. While delegates are hard at work, their children will participate in Operation Purple®, an urban adventure camp hosted by the National Military Family Association.

I look forward to this event every year. Not only does it keep AW2 focused on what is important to the Army’s wounded warriors, but it unites Soldiers and Veterans together—as well as their Families. This afternoon I saw a Soldier, two Veterans, two wives and a mom all talking in a group about their challenges and their accomplishments. There were tears but also much laughter in describing the adventure that comes with being a wounded warrior.

I look around and see amputees showing off new prosthetics. I overhear wives talking with other wives about the organizations where they got local help. I hear Veterans talking about life with PTSD—comparing symptoms. I see anxiety on a parent’s face when they talk about the stress of the injury on their kids, as well as relief when they talk to an organization in our Community Support Network. I see folks connecting with their greater Army Family—learning they are not alone. It’s a powerful week for all involved.

I think delegate spouse Regina Hill summed it up best when she told me, “Participating in the AW2 Symposium is very important for us for many reasons. It helps us heal by sharing our story, as well as giving us the sense of helping make this road better for other Families facing similar situations. Allen and I both feel that if we don’t share our own story, we can’t expect for things to get fixed that we have struggled with throughout this journey. We hope that by sharing our personal struggles and accomplishments, we will shed light on some things that need fixed and share the blessings we have received that others may not know about.”

Working At Symposium Connects Soldier to Others with PTSD

Filed under 2010 Symposium, Soldier Story, Symposium by jvargas on June 20, 2010 at 7:26 pm {no comments}

Battle buddies Brett Turpin and Matt Staton reunite at the AW2 Symposium.

By Nick Lutton, Guest blogger and member of the National Guard

This week I’m attending the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Symposium for the first time. I kind of got here by pure luck, the way most of the cooler things in my life have happened. The company I work for is supporting the event, and there was an open spot for a guy who writes, edits, lifts heavy boxes and can eat good Tex-Mex. I fit right in. When I first signed on to do this gig I didn’t realize it was going to affect me in the way that it has so far. I initially thought, “There goes my diet and blood pressure.” What I mean is this Symposium is going to be deeper than I thought.

For example, I met one of the main presenters yesterday. CW3 James Hume is a wounded warrior who is here to talk about wounds that have affected so many of my fellow servicmembers coming back from OIF/OEF. He has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As we were talking, I realized I went through very similar scenarios in my head. My friend has gone through similar scenarios too. Since coming back, I’ve been violent, I’ve been depressed, I get easily frustrated and lash out. My friend still refuses to drive on highways. I tend to avoid heavy crowds. I’ve had nightmares. I crawled into a bottle. I know other friends who have too.

I joined the Army prior to 9/11. I remember standing in formation, as a young private, and the drill sergeant asking everyone why they joined the United States Army. Every single one of us joined for the college money. It was a different time then, we all had a different way of looking at the world. I hadn’t given a thought as to who our biggest threat was. Of course, 9/11 changed that for most if not all of us. I stayed in the Army for patriotism, and I would do it all over again.

I first deployed to Afghanistan in June of 2003. I was part of a 20 Soldier team that conducted Public Affairs missions all around the country. I volunteered for every mission I could. I first met my buddy with the highway problem during this deployment. I’m not releasing his name because I don’t have his express written consent. We’ll just call him “Highway.” So Highway and I were constantly travelling, we ended up in several hairy situations that I can only describe as the first real time in my life that I was actually scared for my life.

When I got back home, initially I thought I was okay, but PTSD crept up on me. It hit me like a frying pan to the back of the head. This was the first time I became violent towards a significant other, after that incident, I sought counseling and I co-created a group at my university for Veterans so that we could be around people who understood what we had gone through. I deployed again in 2006 to Afghanistan and came home a different person. I initially had what I call jumping spells at night. I would almost leap out of bed, but I don’t remember the dream exactly. My relationship suffered and I eventually got a divorce, drank more, had another violent outburst, and eventually sought serious counseling. The counseling has helped me calm myself. I’ve always felt, my counselor believes, and my ex agrees that I might have PTSD, which brings me back to James and the Army Wounded Warrior Symposium.

James is a well-spoken man, and he does his best to describe what he is going through. It’s tough, it’s tough to watch, and it’s tough to listen to. Not because his voice hurts my ears or anything, but because I know. I know the pain, the embarrassment, the feeling of let down from the actions you have taken. I know the frustration.

If you are a Veteran, a wounded warrior, a spouse or Family member of either, you should read the blogs, read the information on the Symposium, make plans to come to one of the Symposiums if you can, learn about AW2 or contact your local VA or Military OneSource and get help.

“I Never Saw That Career Coming”

Filed under 2010 Symposium, Career/Education, DoD, Resources by jvargas on June 18, 2010 at 7:28 pm {no comments}

By Emily Oehler, WTC Stratcom

BG Horne told wounded warriors and employers at the 2010 AW2 Career Expo that throughout his 30 years in the Army, he never saw his next career coming. As he started out in air artillery defense, he never saw it coming when he moved to missile defense. As he moved to human resources, he never saw that coming either.

“I never thought I’d be the head of human resources for the largest company in the world—the Army, but like all Soldiers I did know leadership,” BG Horne explained. Horne is currently the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Army G1.

The AW2 Career Expo is a two-day event that focuses on helping more than 125 wounded warriors reintegrate back into their communities through meaningful careers. The event offers sessions on education opportunities, resume writing, interview skills, being an entrepreneur, salary and benefits, and career planning; plus personal time with more than 51 employers who are eager to hire wounded warriors. For the first time, this event was opened up to local severely wounded, injured and ill servicemembers from every military branch.

BG Horne told the crowd that now more than ever he understood how hard the transition was to look for a job post retirement explaining, “I retire in two weeks. I thought I got it until I really got it. I had to maintain my current job, start searching for a new job, and coordinate with the VA. This is hard. The pressure builds up as you go through the process.”

Horne told the Career Expo participants about the new Veterans Employment Transition Program which aims to support career transition efforts for wounded warriors. “This makes good business sense for the Soldier and the local community—the cost to society of not doing this is huge.” He pointed out that veterans as a group are leading the U.S. in homelessness and the unemployment of veterans is twice the national average, but added that, “never before has there been a time when more Americans are supporting local Veterans—we’ve learned a lot since Vietnam. Employers know they get a proven population of leaders from the military.”

Businesses who are interested in establishing an expedited application process for hiring wounded, injured and ill Soldiers, Veterans and their spouses should contact the AW2 Career and Education Team at AW2CareerProgram@conus.army.mil.

Final Symposium Issues, Part 2

Filed under 2008 Symposium, Symposium by jvargas on July 23, 2008 at 9:14 am {no comments}

23 July 2008, 09:14

– By MAJ Deb Cisney, AW2 Operations –

During the 2008 AW2 Symposium the delegates discussed more than 80 issues that were previously submitted by AW2 Soldiers, Family members, prospective employers and others involved in wounded warrior care and transition. During four days of focus group sessions, the delegates worked with facilitators and subject matter experts to combine similar issues and determine which were the most important. At the conclusion of the Symposium, each focus group briefed their top prioritized issues to LTG Rochelle and other Army leadership. The delegates than voted on the top five overall issues of the 2008 AW2 Symposium, which were relayed to you in Part 1 of this blog series.

Now, to quote Paul Harvey, “the rest of the story.” In order of presentation, the rest of the focus group prioritized issues briefed to LTG Rochelle were:

-Career Counseling For Wounded Warriors: Assign each wounded warrior an individual Career Counselor to identify their skills and experiences and assist them with developing and posting their resumes and require Career Counselors to follow-up with wounded warriors 90 days after separation.

-Over Medication of Service Members and Veterans: Provide continuing education to service members and veterans about high risk medications and alternatives to prevent overdose and addiction and require the development and implementation of a lifespan injury pain management plan for service members and veterans.

-Non-Dependent Caregivers Eligibility for Support Services: Authorize Soldier-elected, non-dependent caregivers to receive established support services as deemed necessary by case manager.

-Mental Health Treatment and Confidentiality: Combine mental health and primary care services in the same facility.

-Continuity of Care and Services during Transitions: Develop a new standardized policy for the seamless transition of a wounded warrior and Family and assign a representative to seriously wounded warriors at the time of injury and throughout the life time of the wounded warrior continuum of care.

-Local Community Support of Wounded Warriors: Ensure AW2 Strategic

Communication programs reach all local communities with wounded warriors and hometown news releases are distributed for returning wounded warriors.

-Consistent Medical Care from Active Duty to the Veterans Affairs System: Require the transitional case manager to contact the Military Treatment Facility (MTF) to ensure continuous medical treatment and ensure the service member is concurrently registered in the Patient Administration Division (PAD) and reenrolled in TRICARE at the nearest MTF upon return to their place of residence.

-Timely Medical Appointments for All Veterans: Schedule appointments within 30 days of the original request and provide local treatment at the government’s expense if VHA personnel are unavailable.

The delegates’ work is done (whew!) and now it is up to AW2 to ensure that the issues are addressed. Rest assured that all 13 issues (the 8 listed above plus the top 5 prioritized issues) have been incorporated into the AW2 Symposium Active Issues. You can check the AW2 website and this blog for updates on all of your issues.

Final Symposium Issues: Part 1

Filed under 2008 Symposium, Symposium by jvargas on July 16, 2008 at 9:14 am {no comments}

16 July 2008, 09:14

– By MAJ Deb Cisney, AW2 Operations –

They did it! The 2008 AW2 Symposium delegates used their personal experiences to tell the Army how to improve care for Soldiers and Families. Two and a half weeks ago, 74 AW2 Soldiers and Family members rolled up their sleeves and put their hearts, minds and souls together. This dedicated group spent a week in six different focus group rooms, working through the issues that were submitted to this year’s AW2 Symposium. After much gnashing of teeth and shedding of blood (figuratively), sweat and tears (literally)… the final issues were presented to LTG Rochelle, and other senior Army leaders. It was a job well done!

I am MAJ Deb Cisney and as a member of the AW2 Operations Staff my primary focus is to ensure that the final Symposium issues are addressed by senior leaders throughout our Army, the Department of Defense, and Congress. I am truly honored to serve all of you in this manner.

The top five prioritized 2008 AW2 Symposium Issues are (drum roll, please!):

1.) Alternative Treatment Options for Wounded Warriors–Authorize and fund alternative treatment options for Wounded Warriors.

2.) Support Groups and Counseling for Wounded Warrior Families–Establish an inspectable Wounded Warrior Family Counseling Program including support groups facilitated by clinically trained behavioral health professionals.

3.) Continuation on Active Duty (COAD) and Continuation of Active Reserve (COAR) Process–Authorize Soldiers 90 days instead of 10 days to finalize their COAD/COAR decision and provide mandatory COAD/COAR counseling during the PEB process by someone other than the PEB Liaison Officer.

4.) Treatment of Continuation on Active Duty (COAD)/Continuation on Active Reserve (COAR) Soldiers by the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB)–Exclude all communication of COAD/COAR preference from the PEB Liaison Officer until completion of PEB process and remove block 16 on DA Form 3947.

5.) Eligibility Criteria for Warrior Transition Units (WTU)–Implement stringent eligibility criteria for entrance into and retention within the Warrior Transition Units that are standard across the Army and establish a dedicated independent admissions board comprised of health care professionals to monitor eligibility and retention of Warriors in Transition in order to provide checks and balances.

While these issues were prioritized by the Delegate body as a whole, LTG Rochelle was also briefed on an additional 8 issues to which he paid close attention. Watch for Part 2 of the 2008 AW2 Symposium Issues blog to see where else you told him to go!

Sew Much Comfort

Filed under General by jvargas on July 2, 2008 at 9:15 am {no comments}

– By Jeanne Keffer, Outgoing Inventory Director, Sew Much Comfort –

Our non-profit organization, Sew Much Comfort, was thrilled when COL Rice invited us to attend the AW2 Symposium this year, which was the first AW2 Symposium to include an exhibit hall. We were proud to be there and in the company of other non-profits, veteran service organizations, and Army programs, all sharing a mission of helping the most severely wounded Soldiers and their Families. The event was a wonderful opportunity for us to personally connect with the Soldiers, their Family members, AW2 staff and Army leadership.

Our goal was to get the word out about the adaptive clothes our dedicated seamstresses make for the wounded to use during their recuperation. Currently, our organization has an ambassador that visits Walter Reed to meet with soldiers and replenish their lockers with clothing. At Brook Army Medical Center (BAMC), hospital staff and AW2 advocates make sure Sew Much Comfort clothes are available, as well. However, we wanted all Army locations, VA hospitals, and individual service members to know about us and feel comfortable contacting us about requests to provide them with our shorts, shirts, pants, boxers, and accessories.

From the first evening of the symposium when the delegates came through the exhibit area, we knew our decision to come was a good one. The week was full of memorable experiences for us. We met a soldier and his wife who shared their story with us about using our clothing while at BAMC, and how much it helped them. We received orders for clothes from other delegates who are in need. An Army General came to our booth and got our information to give to his wife, who is interested in volunteering as a seamstress. We also had the pleasure of presenting one of our quilts to a special delegate who will be working with us on perfecting some of our patterns.

The opportunity to be a part of this very important process has given us new insight into the Army Wounded Warrior Program. We were able to witness the interactions of delegates and staff, to share meals and breaks with the attendees, to watch Operation Purple do its magic with the children, and to learn about and from the other exhibitors. We feel honored to have spent the week with this incredible group of people and returned with a feeling of gratitude for being a small part in their transition. The theme of the Symposium that we heard over and over again throughout the week is “I am AW2” and we felt that this also applied to us. Thanks for welcoming Sew Much Comfort as a part of the Symposium and a part of AW2- we will continue to make you proud.

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