Sometimes, Making it Home is Only Half the Battle

It’s a brand-new year, and for many injured veterans, it’s also the start of a brand-new struggle. Technology continues to change on a daily basis, and yet here we are in 2011, and the care our veterans receive hasn’t evolved to where it needs to be. In fact, according to the Veterans Health Administration, since May 2008:


• 892,848 Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans are eligible for VA healthcare
• 324,846 Iraq veterans have sought VA healthcare
• 41.1% of those veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD and/or a mental illness
• There is a backlog of over one million existing claims

Our Heroes deserve better than this. Ask most Americans, and they’ll tell you they whole-heartedly support the troops. Even still, many troops are fighting an entirely new battle here at home for the medical care that would help them heal. They come home needing certain treatments, only to find that those treatments are either not provided, there's limited access, or they require long waiting times before they can see a physician; and with more than one million backlogged cases, the problem is only getting worse.

The question remains though… in this day and age, why are we experiencing such a build up? Quite simply, the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have created a new generation of injured veterans. With medicine making remarkable advancements over the years, doctors are now mending wounds that would've once been deadly. While we've gotten very good at saving lives, we need to turn our focus on improving our Heroes' quality of life. Because of the advancements in medicine, today’s veterans are suffering from a myriad of injuries and ailments, but there are three injuries that stand out as the most common.

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - Because of its prevalence, TBI has been called the "signature injury" of today's wars, and disrupts the function of the brain. It’s estimated that 320,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans may have experienced a TBI during deployment.
• Along with TBI, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is wreaking havoc on combat veterans. PTSD can disrupt a person's life and make it hard to continue with daily activities. As we saw with veterans returning from the Vietnam War, PTSD can lead to substance abuse, marital and employment problems, homelessness, and in drastic cases, suicide. It’s estimated that 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are suffering from PTSD. If we don't act now and treat these veterans, history is sure to repeat itself.
• Many veterans throughout history have experienced Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). It is a debilitating disorder that dates back to the American Civil War. Long after bullets are removed, or limbs are repaired, the pain remains strong, and in many cases, even more unbearable. Imagine living with a severe burning pain and extreme sensitivity to touch… that’s the reality for many injured veterans living with RSD.


While these are three most common injuries, we at HHN recognize that there are hundreds more injuries that need to be healed. These injuries, coupled with the knowledge that many injured veterans are still in need of care, is the motivation behind Healing Heroes Network, a 501 (c)3 charitable organization. With a nation-wide network of medical providers, HHN can get our Heroes the medical care they need today - not tomorrow. HHN is determined to help heal the whole veteran. That's why we offer treatments in all areas of medicine and rehabilitation. Our nation's Heroes should be able to return to their families and communities as healthy as they can be. They've earned at least this much.

Spread Season's Greetings with Last-Minute Giving

Do you have one of those hard-to-buy for people on your gift-giving list? That Uncle who has everything, or the Grandmother who tells you to save your money? Or, are you strapped for cash, but still want to give something meaningful? Consider giving the gift of health!

Donations to Healing Heroes Network can be made in honor of your Uncle or Grandmother. We'll tell your donation honoree all about the Heroes your gift will help. Heroes like Chad from Virginia who's getting new dental work to save his teeth from the grinding caused from his PTSD; or James from Tennessee who will start the new year receiving Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment for his PTSD and chronic headaches. This holiday season, your gift can give back!

Here's how!

Another letter of support from one of our Hero families!

SSgt. Jose Pequeno began seeing an HHN Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy provider in April 2010. Jose lost the bottom two lobes of the left-side of his brain, and is known as one of the most severely wounded servicemen to come home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. To this day, Jose is unable to care for himself and requires around-the-clock care. While his outlook appears grim, HHN is determined to give this true American Hero every opportunity to regain as much function as possible.


“The treatment that Jose receives from Healing Heroes Network is fantastic and very loving,” said Nellie Bagley, Jose’s mother. “Both my son and I feel like we are welcomed with open arms with the care they provide. Healing Heroes has made a difference in our lives by their accommodating atmosphere, offers and health care. They are willing to try what others are not, and give us the time to gain progress. Healing Heroes is a wonderful network that not only opens their arms and hearts to us, but veterans of all kinds.”

From War in Mortar-Ville to a New War at Home

"Your life can be over in a second."
"You can die from standing in the wrong place."
"Why does one person make it out of there and another person doesn't?"

These are the thoughts and questions that run through Spc. Brian Taylor's head. After heading to Iraq in 2004 with the Washington State National Guard's 81st Brigade, Brian's life was forever changed. His infantry unit was assigned to provide security for an EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) team. As you can imagine, Brian lived through some terrifying experiences.

"I didn't really realize the scope of what I was doing and where I was, until we started carrying our fellow soldiers out in body bags," recalls Brian. Read More...



Help HHN refresh our injured veterans!

Help HHN refresh our Heroes! Today is the 1st day to vote for HHN in the Pepsi Refresh Project. If we get in the top 10...we'll be awarded $50k for our Heroes! Help HHN and vote today & everyday through the month of December!! Here's the link: http://www.refresheverything.com/healingheroesnetwork

Did you know that Heroes & shopping go hand in hand?

Helping injured Heroes heal is now only a few clicks away! As eager shoppers rest up for the mad-house known as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you can get all your shopping done at home, and give the gift of health. For your shopping convenience, HHN has a few ways you can raise money, while scratching off some items on your shopping list...& they won't cost you a thing! Happy shopping!

Click on the link for more information: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/The-Black-Friday-Hero-Connection.html?soid=1103523648356&aid=JHNi4QfPOiA

Honor a Hero this Veteran's Day...and Every Day!

Veteran's Day may be only one day a year, but shouldn't we honor our Heroes every day? Each day of freedom we have, we owe to the members of our armed forces and their families. Behind these brave service men and women, their family members and loved ones share in their sacrifice and provide endless support.

While only a fraction of Americans are in military families, everyone shares in the responsibility of caring for our military families and veterans. Through HHN, you can give a Hero the gift of health, and give their families back their loved one.

101 Things YOU Can do...


It's so simple, but often goes unsaid. This Veteran's Day remember our nation's Heroes, and say 'Thank You' to those who have served and who continue to serve. Check out 101 ways to Thank a Veteran to find an easy way to show your support!

Join HHN in thanking our Heroes and their families this Veteran's Day, and every day.


For the Troops,
The Healing Heroes Network Team
http://www.healingheroes.org/

Happy 235th Birthday USMC!

You don't look a day over 200!


Today is the 235th birthday for the United States Marine Corps...
 
Did you know?
 
During the American Revolution, a committee of the Continental Congress met to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines that would be able to fight for independence at sea, as well as on shore. With the approval of the resolution on 11/10/1775, the Continental Marines were officially formed.

Military Family month is here!

It's time to show your appreciation, gratitude, and respect for veterans, members of the armed forces, and military families. Military Family Appreciation Month honors the sacrifices of our military families. Army families of Active, Guard, Reserve, veterans, and retirees are giving back in a time of need, and sustain and support the Soldiers who defend our Nation. Whether you have a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or are a veteran yourself - it's time to think about the sacrifices our Heroes and their families make every day. You can make a difference in a Hero's life today by making a donation.


Honoring and remembering the enormous sacrifices that veterans have made, and continue to make, is a duty of every American. The courage, valor, loyalty and bravery they have shown throughout history can never be forgotten, or taken for granted. They have safe-guarded our freedoms and continue to fight for the values and beliefs Americans hold most dear - democracy, equality, liberty, and freedom. These things do not come without a price. Our armed service men and women, both past and present, are the Heroes who have upheld these precious gifts and are doing so at this very moment. You can directly help repay their sacrifice by helping them heal.

Army families are important, since the strength of our Heroes comes from the strength of their families. Our nation's Hero families are giving back in this time of need. With thousands of service members deployed, recognizing their daily sacrifices has never been more important. During the month of November, we want to showcase your family. Send us your stories, pictures and videos and tell us in your own words what it means to be an "Strong Hero Family."


For the Troops,
The Healing Heroes Network Team
http://www.healingheroes.org/

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Military-Family-Month-is-Here-.html?soid=1103523648356&aid=BnKsuRMSVfo

It's time for some Hero healing!

Good morning Heroes! We got a few Hero applications the other day and are processing them now. One for Chiropractic Therapy, the others for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Hopefully they'll be on their road to recovery by next week! We love that we're able to help our Heroes...they deserve it so much!

Do you know a veteran who was injured after 9/11/01 in need of medical help? Have them contact HHN today! http://www.healingheroes.org/