please review my latest editorial re": newest Gulf War Illness patients"

[w8liftinglady]

for spelling,punctuation and facts.Thanks,as always :)


As we enter our second decade of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,we need to remind ourselves of the toll our troops endure. Veterans of Gulf War One and veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom share one commonality-the presence of Gulf War Illness.

Gulf War Illness was first recognized as a disease through extensive research performed in the early 1990's at our own UTSW. It took almost 17 years,but the Veterans Administration has finally begun reimbursing Gulf War One veterans for service-related illnesses. This is an improvement when compared to our treatment of the Agent Orange-exposed veterans of The Viet Nam War(almost forty years).

OIF/OEF veterans are now showing the same symptoms of Gulf War Syndrome- (per the VA)
1.Chronic fatigue syndrome
2.Fibromyalgia
3.Irritable bowel syndrome
4.Undiagnosed illnesses with symptoms that may include but are not limited to: abnormal weight loss, cardiovascular symptoms, fatigues, gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, joint pain, menstrual disorders, muscle pain, neurologic symptoms, neuropsychological symptoms, skin conditions, upper and lower respiratory system symptoms, and sleep disturbances.

For many veterans,these diseases are debilitating and affect their daily activities to the point they can no longer hold jobs.

Fortunately,since Secretary Shinseki assumed responsibility for the VA, reimbursements for service-related illnesses have become easier for veterans to qualify for. Deployment "in Country" is now sufficient to qualify for VA service-related assistance.

I strongly recommend all veterans of Gulf War One and OIF/OEF who served in Kuwait,Iraq and/or Afghanistan to register with the VA.

The website is:
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/veterans_public.asp

The toll-free helpline phone number is:
1-800-749-8387 press "2"

If you were previously denied service-related treatment,please reapply. Progress is being made daily by veterans organizations to get the services you earned as a war veteran.
We've got your back.

[w8liftinglady]

1. I'll let you know if there's feedback... now that a new crew is in the House

My neighbors are getting brave again...

[babydollhead]

2. kick