Very sad story of the VA and a Vietnam vet...........

[greenberetTFS]

A Vietnam veteran who is very proud of his service to this country sitting alone in a dark apartment.
A fragile body due to diabetes and ongoing dialysis. Hungry because he cannot shop for or cook food due to his blindness.
Surrounded by unsanitary conditions because he cannot clean due to his blindness.
Unable to safely manage taking his many prescribed medications.
Afraid to open the door for fear of being robbed and/or hurt. He has already been taken advantage of numerous times
Prior to complete blindness, he was able to manage very well in his little apartment. He had great pride in his home and for being self sufficient, although he had little money. It is no longer safe. He needs to be in a residential facility or have a trustworthy caretaker who can care for his daily needs. This is such a sad situation and is at a critical point.
Letters have been sent begging for help for this man to the following personnel at the VA: social worker, chief of social work, patient advocate, VA director. A copy of the letter was also sent to Congressman Palazzo.
Numerous phone calls have been made to the above, including phone calls to the number for “emergency social work services.” No one has been able to speak to a live voice, only a voice mail.
Every letter and every phone call has gone unacknowledged. Even when it was stated over and over that the situation is critical, no one has followed up on the request for help for this veteran.
This is disgusting and disgraceful.
Is there anyone out there who can help this veteran before it is too late? I do what I can, but he needs for the VA to step up to the plate and give him the care that he has earned and deserves.

KATHERINE WILSON

Seriouly guys can anyone offer advice to help this vet?...........


Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/07/27/...#ixzz1TQ7nFhhe

Big Teddy

Sad story. And I can't believe people would ignore calls and letters like that. I passed the word on.

Prayers out for this man.

[CSB]

Has anyone confirmed the validity of this letter to the editor?

I've pinged the author with an email asking for more information.

At the risk of being a cynic ... I'm a cynic.

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by CSB

Has anyone confirmed the validity of this letter to the editor?

I've pinged the author with an email asking for more information.

At the risk of being a cynic ... I'm a cynic.

Seriously CSB did you read the "Read more" that's posted?.......

Big Teddy

[Dragbag036]

Prayers out....letter passed.

DB

[CSB]

Quote:
Originally Posted by CSB
Has anyone confirmed the validity of this letter to the editor?

I've pinged the author with an email asking for more information.

At the risk of being a cynic ... I'm a cynic.

Seriously CSB did you read the "Read more" that's posted?.......
Big Teddy

Uh, yes.
I did click on the "Read more ..." link and proceeded to read a "Letter to the Editor" of a southern Mississippi newspaper written by an individual who claims to be Katherine Wilson and who recites the sad tale of a purported blind and ill Viet Nam veteran.

What I did not see was any confirmation that "Katherine Wilson" exists, or that the Viet Nam veteran exists. Again, it was a letter to the editor of the Sun-Herald newspaper, not an article authored by a reputable writer and the "facts" alleged do not appear to have been verified by any member of the staff of the Sun-Herald.

EDITED TO ADD:

I just got off the telephone with Katherine Wilson. The individual is a 60 year old black male, date of birth December 1950 which would be consistant with Viet Nam service (age 18 in 1968; age 22 in 1972; maybe even a draftee). He lives in Gulfport, MS. She assisted him when she was contacted by her church group and she states that the Veterans Administration confirmed prior honorable service, but since his current ailments are not service connected he is at the bottom of the list for services. She confirmed:
1 - He is blind.
2 - He has no telephone, she has bought three prepaid phones for him but all have been stolen by human scum who have taken advantage of his infirmities.
3 - His kidneys are failing, which required dialysis three times a week (Tuesday - Thursday - Saturday) and the VA does transport him to and from those treatments, but not for any other doctors appointments.
4 - She visits him several times a week, helps with cooking and laundry, but says he is incapable of living without more external support.
5 - Since the letter hit the newspaper, she has been contacted from the assistant chief of social work at the VA, but unless he can find a bed space at an assisted living facility, she literally fears he will die in a home accident, be robbed/murdered, or lose his battle with illness and the next time she visits him it will be to recover his body.
6 -She is herself 63 years old, and lives 40 miles away, so there is a limit to what she can do.
7 - She is totally "unmilitary" and has no idea of questions such as units, MOS, etc.

BOTTOM LINE

Any PS.COM members in the Gulfport area that can raise hell ?

I have a name and address for him that I will PM to anyone who asks.

Sad story, and heartwarming efforts from you guys. Hope everything gets sorted out and this veteran gets the help and care he deserves and earned when he decided to care for his country and do his part to help its efforts.

[CSB]

I received this email from Ms. Wilson Thursday afternoon (July 28, 2011):

Mr. [CSB]:
I received a call from the Assistant Chief of Social Work at the VA this evening to tell me that Mr. Xxxxxxx will be moved tomorrow to the Transitional Care Unit at the Biloxi VA. This is of course a temporary placement. I am sure that he would enjoy a visit from any local veterans who might be able to visit him.
Thank you so much for your concern.
Should this change, I will contact you again. Katherine Wilson

Again, I have the full name and address if there is anyone in the Southern Mississippi area who can drive over or otherwise assist.

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by CSB

Uh, yes.
I did click on the "Read more ..." link and proceeded to read a "Letter to the Editor" of a southern Mississippi newspaper written by an individual who claims to be Katherine Wilson and who recites the sad tale of a purported blind and ill Viet Nam veteran.

What I did not see was any confirmation that "Katherine Wilson" exists, or that the Viet Nam veteran exists. Again, it was a letter to the editor of the Sun-Herald newspaper, not an article authored by a reputable writer and the "facts" alleged do not appear to have been verified by any member of the staff of the Sun-Herald.

EDITED TO ADD:

I just got off the telephone with Katherine Wilson. The individual is a 60 year old black male, date of birth December 1950 which would be consistant with Viet Nam service (age 18 in 1968; age 22 in 1972; maybe even a draftee). He lives in Gulfport, MS. She assisted him when she was contacted by her church group and she states that the Veterans Administration confirmed prior honorable service, but since his current ailments are not service connected he is at the bottom of the list for services. She confirmed:
1 - He is blind.
2 - He has no telephone, she has bought three prepaid phones for him but all have been stolen by human scum who have taken advantage of his infirmities.
3 - His kidneys are failing, which required dialysis three times a week (Tuesday - Thursday - Saturday) and the VA does transport him to and from those treatments, but not for any other doctors appointments.
4 - She visits him several times a week, helps with cooking and laundry, but says he is incapable of living without more external support.
5 - Since the letter hit the newspaper, she has been contacted from the assistant chief of social work at the VA, but unless he can find a bed space at an assisted living facility, she literally fears he will die in a home accident, be robbed/murdered, or lose his battle with illness and the next time she visits him it will be to recover his body.
6 -She is herself 63 years old, and lives 40 miles away, so there is a limit to what she can do.
7 - She is totally "unmilitary" and has no idea of questions such as units, MOS, etc.

BOTTOM LINE

Any PS.COM members in the Gulfport area that can raise hell ?

I have a name and address for him that I will PM to anyone who asks.

I know of one man Major(R) Henry J Cook III..........National Commander,Purple Heart Society,He lives in Diamondhead,Ms. approx. 20 miles from the Biloxi VA Ctr. He's a member in PS.com.............I believe he would get involved and help this vet,that's just the kind of guy he is... Since CSB has gotten all of the details I think he should follow though and contact Henry J and see what he says...............

Big Teddy

[PSM]

Originally Posted by greenberetTFS

He lives in Diamondhead,Ms. approx. 20 miles from the Biloxi VA Ctr.

Coincidentally, the original SunHerald letter writer also lives in Diamondhead.

Pat