Support System

Support System

(Excerpt from The Endless Journey Home by Specialist Joe Collins) Having a support system (family and friends) to be there for you when you are suffering from PTSD is absolutely necessary for recovery. In my own personal experience, there was … Continued
Process Changes Needed When Caring for PTSD

Process Changes Needed When Caring for PTSD

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can happen to normal people who have witnessed a traumatic event. Military training does not cause a person to be immune from trauma. War, by its very nature is a series of traumatic events. Problem: Military … Continued
PTSD Resources

PTSD Resources

VFU is a not-for-profit organization that offers a comprehensive website and resource bank for identifying and helping veterans and families who may need assistance in understanding and coping with war-related illness. Financial resources are not available, but information on how … Continued
Veteran Coping Skills

Veteran Coping Skills

Veterans have amazing coping skills. The war and survival skills that a veteran used to stay alive during conflict and to return home are extraordinary and resulted in him/her doing just that, staying alive and returning home. These skills sometimes DO … Continued
Family Coping Skills

Family Coping Skills

Your family has also developed and learned survival skills while your veteran was at war. These skills helped you to make it through daily life, even knowing the constant peril that your veteran faced and the uncertainty of your future. … Continued
Dealing with Loss

Dealing with Loss

In one way, the previous life together is lost forever. With loss, comes some sadness and grief for which there are predictable stages. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Ph.D. found that all loss includes the following: Denial – examples include thoughts like “Life … Continued
Hope and the New Life Ahead

Hope and the New Life Ahead

Beginning a “new life”. One thing is for sure, the “only person you can change is yourself”. It would be wonderful to be able to wave a magic wand and remove the loss, fear and sense of hopelessness that often … Continued
VFU in the News

VFU in the News

“Vets Deal with Stress Following Service” Nov. 10, 2015, Edmond Sun.  Front page article describes ongoing journey with PTSD and VFU’s involvement with “Rock and Brew” Restaurant. VFU “Tinker Take Off” ad, October, 2015  http://www.pageturnpro.com/The-Journal-Record/68442-15-Combined-Federal-Campaign/index.html#1 Our full page ad appears on … Continued
California

California

California Dept. of Veteran Affairs https://www.calvet.ca.gov/ CalVet is working hard to help veterans get connected with the resources they need. Their goal is to make government more efficient, effective and accountable for all of California’s veterans. Cohen’s Veteran Network –  https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/ For veterans and families in … Continued
Alaska

Alaska

Alaska Department of Veteran Affairs www.Veterans.Alaska.gov From helping veterans to file claims for education, medical or other benefits to assisting them in obtaining earned military awards, Alaska Office of Veterans affairs is here to serve. Their Motto is: “Serving Alaska One … Continued