Physical Disabilities

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• QWhat does vision loss mean for veterans?

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  A Challenge America answered

  Vision loss means the lack of vision where it existed before. For many people, including war warriors and veterans, vision loss can happen quickly (called acute vision loss) or over a long time (called chronic vision loss). No matter how vision loss occurs, the results can be devastating, especially for veterans who lose their vision immediately from an explosion, car bomb or blast.

  The loss of vision during combat is a major traumatic event. Even if the soldier is visually impaired and not blinded, there is still much grieving that must be done to move beyond the event to rehabilitation and restoration. Many believe that whether losing a limb by amputation or one’s vision through a blast or explosion, the soldier will go through the different stages written about by Dr. Kubler-Ross in her celebrated book on the stages of dying.

  For example, the individual who loses vision may go through feelings of denial, blame, anger, sorrow and finally acceptance. Each one of the grieving stages takes time. Some soldiers pass quickly through the stages, while others may take days, weeks or perhaps months to reach acceptance.

  Before rehabilitation can begin for someone with vision loss or legal blindness, a qualified physician (ophthalmologist) must evaluate visual acuity and visual system functioning to rule out the need for surgical or medical correction.

  Resources for veterans with vision loss
  There are many low vision resources that can help veteran’s complete daily activities and responsibilities. Low vision aids may include hand magnifiers, magnifying glasses, books with large print, talking computers and calculators and talking clocks and watches. Audiobooks allow veterans to enjoy hearing the classics or the latest bestselling novels.

  For veterans with low vision, having good lighting nearby can make all the difference between functioning normally or functioning minimally. A bright light in the den may enable the person to read the newspaper. Stronger bulbs in the kitchen and bathroom can make activities of daily living (ADL) such as cooking, personal hygiene, bathing and dressing much easier.

• QWhat is offered to veterans with low vision after combat?

  1 Answer

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  A Challenge America answered

  Operation Peer SupportIn the United States today there are around 160,000 veterans who are legally blind. When you combine the number of veterans with low vision, this total skyrockets to more than one million veterans with poor visual acuity. In addition, the Department of Defense reports that more than 13 percent of all wounded evacuees from Iraq have a serious eye injury or vision problem. Data show this is the highest percentage documented for any war in America’s history for which an accounting is available.

  The VHA Optometry Service
  The VHA Optometry Service provides many services to help veterans, including primary eye care and low vision assistance to Visual Impairment Center to the Optimize Remaining Sight (VICTORS) programs and Blind Rehabilitation Centers (BRCs). Helping veterans with visual impairment or blindness maintain independence is an important goal of VHA optometrists. They achieve this goal by goal setting, assessing problems and evaluating all specialized vision devices that are available to help veterans.

  Vision loss has a dramatic impact on anyone’s life. Not only are there functional losses such as the ability to read or pay bills, but vision loss affects mobility, causing the person to lose the ability to drive or even take walks in the neighborhood. In addition, for veterans with multiple impairments, vision loss can make them unable to self-medicate with life-saving prescriptions necessary for survival.

  During the VHA Optometry Service, optometrists evaluate the veterans’ vision as well as problems with glare and lighting. Then using low vision devices such as hand-held magnifying glasses and prismatic eyeglasses, the veteran may gain an ability to see better, function optimally and live independently again.

  Operation Peer Support
  Operation Peer Support, a new program of the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), is committed to helping wounded soldiers with the process of recovery after a traumatic event that robbed them of eyesight. The BVA believes that just like the grief experienced after the loss of a loved one, blinded veterans must grieve over their loss of sight. Thus, the veterans attending the Blinded Veteran Association convention are encouraged to meet with other OIF and OEF veterans. It’s thought that war veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam may be among the few who really can relate to the young soldiers being wounded and losing vision in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

  While the BVA is committed to helping the younger war veterans in many ways, they said their Field Service Program is the primary way to help service members and their young families during this time.

• QHow long does speech therapy treatment last?

  2 Answers

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  A Jason Bywaters , Speech Therapy, answered on behalf of Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center

  

  Jason Bywaters, MA, CCC-SLP from Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center explains the variations in time involved in treatment for a patient in speech therapy. Watch this video to learn more.

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• QWhat is a speech pathologist?

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  A Jason Bywaters , Speech Therapy, answered on behalf of Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center

  

  In this video, Jason Bywaters, MA, CCC-SLP from Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center explains what a speech pathologist does.

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• QWhat training is needed to become a speech pathologist?

  2 Answers

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  A Jason Bywaters , Speech Therapy, answered on behalf of Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center

  

  Jason Bywaters, MA, CCC-SLP from Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center describes the process of becoming a speech pathologist, including schooling, external placements and more. Watch this video to learn more.

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• QWhat conditions are seen by a speech pathologist?

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  A Jason Bywaters , Speech Therapy, answered on behalf of Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center

  

  Jason Bywaters, MA, CCC-SLP from Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center names some of the most common conditions seen by speech pathologists. Watch this video to learn more.

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• QHow does a speech pathologist help with stuttering?

  2 Answers

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  A Jason Bywaters , Speech Therapy, answered on behalf of Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center

  

  A speech pathologist can help with stuttering. Jason Bywaters, MA, CCC-SLP from Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center explains his role in aiding patients with this condition in this video.

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• QHow do I get a handicapped parking permit or placard?

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  A Betty Long, RN, MHA , Nursing, answered

  Search online using your state name and “handicapped parking placard” for your state's requirements.  From there, most, if not all, forms are available on line and can be printed out for easy completion. Most states, if not all, require that applications be completed and signed by your treating healthcare provider.

  Applicants who are falsely representing their disability or who misuse the placard can be fined.

• QI have heard about adaptive recreation programs, but can we afford it?

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  A CLNGSPN ADMN , Administration, answered

  Many adaptive recreation programs offer scholarships for those who would otherwise be unable to afford them. The types and amounts of scholarships vary, depending on the program and its level of funding. Some programs offer partial scholarships, which may cover a portion or all of the registration fee but none of the travel and lodging costs. Others offer full scholarships to cover all program and travel-related costs for the participant but not for the accompanying family member(s) or caregiver. Still others are able to cover all of the program and travel-related costs both for the participant and at least one caregiver. The key is to ask the question.
  
  Once you locate potential adaptive recreation programs to attend, call each one directly. Tell them which program interests you. Explain to them the disability involved and the financial situation. Then ask if scholarships are available and, if so, how you would apply for one. Remember to ask which costs are covered by the scholarship and which ones you would still be expected to cover.
  
  After you receive or download the scholarship application form, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and pay special attention to any stated deadlines for application. The program staff will be available via phone to assist you should you have any questions about how to complete the application.

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• QDo I need a referral to see a speech pathologist?

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  A Jason Bywaters , Speech Therapy, answered on behalf of Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center

  

  Jason Bywaters, MA, CCC-SLP from Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center explains why referrals are required at this medical center to see a speech pathologist. Watch this video to learn more.