Americans  Who  Support  PTSD  Veterans

 There are 98,000  "NEW  PTSD  Vets"

These accommodations should be determined by medical specialists; and our federal and state Supreme Courts.

But our federal politicians must bring this major concern to our country's attention now!   Currently, there are no accommodations for the PTSD disabled, reasonable or otherwise.   Don't America's Veterans deserve something in return for their sacrifices...?

Honorable Congressman Scott Garrett

United States House

1318 Longworth

Washington, D.C. 20515                                                                         

Dear Honorable Congressman Garrett,

       As a member of Americans Who Support PTSD Veterans we are writing in concern of the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Veterans. We personally feel that veterans who have PTSD have historically been treated like second class citizens. This is sad for individuals who fought for this great country only to come home and be ignored. We want to address this issue with all of the senators and congressman to hopefully get someone to listen to our plight.

       Veterans with PTSD have been subjected to a stigma where they are considered to be misfits who have no grasp on reality. PTSD is a disability and should be treated as such, especially when it comes to reasonable disability accommodations. Violations of these rights should be considered a federal crime and should be investigated and prosecuted properly. Currently there is a strong focus on discrimination towards an individual’s race or sex which we feel that same focus should be put on veterans with PTSD. PTSD is a real mental illness and should be treated with a high sense of importance.

      Every March in the federal calendar it is stated that: “SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS A FORM OF DISCRIMINATION.” Not taking away anything from Sexual harassment and discrimination, but if harassment is a form of discrimination, why isn't PTSD harassment a form of discrimination? Harassing anyone with PTSD should be a Civil Rights discrimination crime and should be punished as such by the federal government, even if the federal and state governments are doing the harassing.

     There have been some improvements in the Veteran Affairs system but they are simply not enough and more has to be done. For a veteran to get service connected benefits, they have to wade through an eternal sea of red tape and wait years for an answer. Can you imagine not being able to work and left with no means to support yourself? Hence, the huge and growing amount of homeless veterans.

     The claims process should be much simpler than it is now and we feel that the only way that this is going to be done is putting more money into training those that handle the claims. There is a serious riff between veterans and the VA because of the mistreatment that has been historically portrayed. As veterans we also ponder why illegal immigrants get so much of our tax money to feed, clothe and send illegal immigrants to school rather than helping the veterans that provided the way and means for the choice to be made.

     There is always the idea that politicians are bought and sold to the highest bidder. To me this is not the case; rather the issue is that there has never been a push to make sure veterans with PTSD get the treatment and compensation they deserve. With the advent of technology, veterans are able to access information easier and thus are now becoming more vocal about their rights.

Just consider that to date, 98,000 military personnel have come back from Afghanistan and Iraq since the conflicts began and are now diagnosed with PTSD.

      This does not account those that are in denial or have not gone to the VA for help. Someone with PTSD, who has not been informed of the symptoms, begins to think they are crazy, and the world would be a better place if they didn't exist. Due to this there have been too many suicides by suffering veterans. If nothing is done, and the politicians sit by idle, then a big catastrophe is inevitable. Our question for you is where do you stand?

Respectfully yours, 

John “Jack” Cunningham

2 Wilson Road  20B

Sussex, NJ  07461