hello,
I am a caregiver. My son recently returned from multiple deploys. oif/oaf He had sustained 2 blasts 2011 and 3 blasts 2012. He was not evaled until there were problems . He was a malfunctioning unit by the time he was sent to Medical. He is not able to remember much, all stories are from others accounts- I got the after-action reports on some. sadly his battle buddies were KIA- or suicides with in months of the unit return ( I think this really speaks to what this unit went through-no one left)-he will show me a pictures and say that guy killed himself, again and again person after person. He is not able to follow through, nor is able to help himself. It is clear to me the Army took advantage of his condition and just released him. He should have been medically discharged with a care plan. Had I done this to any of my clients I'd be spending my life in jail.
II am trying to get the VA to do neuro testing, as well as create an individual care plan for recovery. He forgets names, names of things all you guys know - he talks around it until I find the name of the item. For example a parking meter- he said the tingamabob that you put pennies in.
My concerns are that with out my help with even day to day activities, self care he would not be able to survive on his own.
He is able to do stimulous response type interactions with others. He will use standard responds to questions, then he gets acting weird. We have to go with him everywhere, as he gets lost in his own tiny hometown. He uses GPS to find home, but when the battery runs out he might come home with no shoes clothing all torn up and no idea where he was or where his shoes are. He reported he got lost in the woods.
He report headaches, is dizzy all of the time, will trip. He can not drive alone as he might drive over the lines or stay at a stop light long after it turns green. I am constantly redirecting him.
My greatest fear is he will begin to resent my involvement.
He is far worse on meds. He can not remember taking them or will repeat actions. Thus I am now putting my life on hold. He has been ok with my interventions so far. I am a former Sped teacher ( special education dealing with children with learning and physical disabilities, and thus am far more aware of disabilities). This was a gifted ( tested into the gifted programs in kinder) and self directed guy- now a functional child.
We are very worried that any interaction with other vets puts him in a mood. He has physical reaction and changes in behavior with social events with veterans. He will stay up for days after any encounter.
He reports no feelings about others "I just don't give a @#$% anymore."
He will follow others, if they are drinking sports drinks he drinks sports drinks, if they are drinking booze he will drink booze. He shows no interest in anything at all. He will go out with us if we actively engage him. Otherwise he is in bed.
I am trying to get the VA to interact with me so I can help him do things that will help him work with his memory, his lack of ability to make decisions. ( he actually spent three hours trying to decide between two plants. ( I finally had to make the decision for him. Day to day self care.
All the posts report some ct stuff, and he had MR but a year after just when they were discharging him. It shows nothing- just as I suspected. How do I get the VA to realize he is currently unable to do any kind of work. He is not able to take care of himself.?
thank you for your kind attention.
aglass