Florida congresswomen Gwen Graham recently introduced a new plan that would help military servicemembers recovering from injuries from their time in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Veterans, Education, Training Act would provide veterans with a wider range of resources as they transition into life after service.
More recovery coordinators set to assist injured vets
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, The VETS Act would make it mandatory for the Veterans Administration to aid nursing schools in developing a program in which veteran recovery coordinators are educated and trained. The number of coordinators would also need to be increased.
John Hayes, a retired Marine, said that this program is long overdue. Hayes was wounded while in Afghanistan, losing his legs and shattering one of his arms. He had to undergo 65 surgeries as he spent several years recovering from his life-changing wounds.
"Every day I would wake up and tell my wife to take my boots off, and she would have to explain to me every day probably for about a month that I lost my legs," Hayes told WCTV.
He now lives happily with his family in Florida. He said that he got where he is today due to the VA and its program, which gave him a case manager who aided him as he recovered, tending to his specific needs. Although Hayes admits he is pretty tough, he told WCTV that he never could have accomplished the recovery on his own.
Florida veterans deserve more
There are currently over 25,000 veterans living in the South Georgia and North Florida region. Graham's act would provide more training and resources for these veterans. It would also offer a recovery coordinator to help those who were seriously wounded, like Hayes, ease into life as a civilian.
Hayes noted that having a close relationship with VA staff can greatly assist veterans.
"To get an actual person that calls you back that day that cares about you and your interest is huge," Hayes explained to WCTV.
Graham is currently working with the veterans committees and the armed services in an attempt to officially pass the VETS Act. She believes that the retired servicemembers who fought for their country deserve more resources and helping hands. Transitioning to civilian life after war is not easy and the VA has an obligation to make it less daunting for them.