Maine Medical Marijuana Law Changes Help PTSD Patients

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, SuicideLeave a comment

Pot LeafMedical Marijuana Law Changes Help PTSD Patients

Mainers living with post traumatic stress disorder will soon have another option to manage their symptoms. Next week, state law will allow doctors to legally recommend medical marijuana for patients.

“Until I found medical marijuana, I was a ticking time bomb.”

When Marine Corps Sergeant Ryan Begin’s elbow was blown off by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2004, that was just the beginning of his pain. Doctors also diagnosed him with post traumatic stress disorder.

[Video] http://wabi.tv/2013/10/01/medical-marijuana-law-changes-help-ptsd-patients/

Returning combat doctors suffering from PTSD

On By AdministratorIn PTSD, TBI, Mental IllnessLeave a comment

PTSDReturning combat doctors suffering from PTSD

As thousands of foreign troops withdraw from Afghanistan, many soldiers are returning home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. Much of the attention has been focused on infantry troops. But PTSD has also taken a heavy toll on those who were sent to Afghanistan to save lives.

Listen here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-01/returning-combat-doctors-suffering-from-ptsd/4992226

Veterans, caregivers at Bangor event praise law allowing use of marijuana to treat PTSD

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness1 Comment

MMMVeterans, caregivers at Bangor event praise law allowing use of marijuana to treat PTSD

BANGOR, Maine — Former U.S. Marine Sgt. Ryan Begin returned from war in Iraq without his right elbow. A roadside bomb destroyed it in 2004. Begin’s scars weren’t all visible when he returned home.

“You can’t trust anyone,” said Begin, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder in the wake of his service. “Any situation, all you can see is the danger.”

Read more: http://www.mainemedicalmarijuana.org/veterans-caregivers-at-bangor-event-praise-law-allowing-use-of-marijuana-to/

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Releases Annual Statutory Report on Sexual Assault in the Military

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

USCCR LogoU.S. Commission on Civil Rights Releases Annual Statutory Report on Sexual Assault in the Military

The United States Commission on Civil Rights has released its 2013 statutory enforcement report, “Sexual Assault in the Military.”  The Commission releases a statutory report annually on a topic of great significance for civil rights in America.  The purpose of this year’s report was to examine how the Department of Defense and its Armed Services – the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force – respond to Service members who are victims of, or accused of perpetrating, sexual assault.  This topic is of significance and timely, as Congress is considering ways to address the issue.

Read more: http://pr-bg.com/content/view/40411/78/

Programs To Assist Victims Of Military Sexual Assault Remain Running During Shutdown

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Department of DefensePrograms To Assist Victims Of Military Sexual Assault Remain Running During Shutdown

Offices across the federal government remain shuttered for a second week, but doors remain open to victims of sexual assault in the military amid the estimated 26,000 incidents that occur throughout the system each year.

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/security/2013/10/07/2742461/military-sexual-assault-programs-running-during-shutdown/

Navy chaplains to receive more training on sexual abuse

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US NavyNavy chaplains to receive more training on sexual abuse

ST. LOUIS (RNS) Kristen Leslie began her 2003 book, “When Violence Is No Stranger,” with a verse from Psalms, a nod to her training as a theologian.

“It is not enemies who taunt me — I could bear that; it is not adversaries who deal insolently with me — I could hide from them. But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend…”

Read more: http://www.religionnews.com/2013/10/07/navy-chaplains-to-receive-more-training-on-sexual-abuse/

Sex-Assault Victims May Be Eligible for VA Disability Pay

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

Veterans AffairsSex-Assault Victims May Be Eligible for VA Disability Pay

Military personnel who were the victims of sexual assault can seek disability pay for the psychiatric trauma even if they didn’t officially report the incident, a U.S. appeals court ruled today.

Read more: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-09-30/sex-assault-victims-rejected-by-va-for-disability-to-get-review

Fort Bragg Army Soldier Sean Wells Gunned Down in Home by Two Masked Men in Fayetteville, Family Asks for Help Solving Case (2013)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Cold Cases, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their NameLeave a comment
Sean Wayne Wells, US Army (2013)
Sean Wells, US Army

Army Special Forces soldier Sean Wayne Wells was shot and killed in his home near Fort Bragg, North Carolina on October 7, 2013. According to the Fayetteville Observer, Sean was shot by two masked men who entered his home through an unlocked door. They forced Sean’s wife and child into another room. They left driving a white 2012 Toyota Camry. Investigators believe this murder was premeditated and not random. This homicide is under investigation by the Fayetteville Police Department. The family pleads for your help to find the two men who murdered Sean in cold blood. They believe this case is solvable. Got a tip? Crime Stoppers

Related Links:
Man Fatally Shot Inside Fayetteville Home was a Soldier
Family of Murdered Fort Bragg Soldier Appeals for Answers
Bragg soldier killed in Fayetteville home invasion; two sought
Fort Bragg soldier killed in shooting, two suspects on the run
Two men wanted for killing Fort Bragg soldier
Body of soldier slain in North Carolina arrives at Las Vegas airport
4 y/o son runs for help when Ft. Bragg Soldier killed in home invasion
Special Forces soldier shot, killed in home
Family of slain Fort Bragg soldier asks for help solving case

Fear of retaliation: The culture that prevents airmen from speaking up

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USAF SealFear of retaliation: The culture that prevents airmen from speaking up

They accused superiors of assault and harassment, now their careers are over.

Victims “tell me they don’t come forward for a number of reasons. They feel personally ashamed. They feel that they may be blamed for what has happened. They do fear retaliation, sometimes from chain of command, sometimes from their buddies in the unit.”

Read more: http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20131007/NEWS/310070009/Fear-of-retaliation-The-culture-that-prevents-airmen-from-speaking-up

Burned in surgery, Army vet fights VA for PTSD pay

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Veterans AffairsBurned in surgery, Army vet fights VA for PTSD pay

These days, former Army Spc. Stephen Anthony sleeps on his sister’s couch, struggling with the depression, nightmares and anger symptomatic of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Read more: http://www.armytimes.com/article/20130903/BENEFITS06/309030004/Burned-surgery-Army-vet-fights-VA-PTSD-pay