Or, oh men, I should say.  What happened to my focus, drive, discipline?  I must admit I’ve been completely guilty of becoming consumed with a new relationship, or really just the opposite sex.  Simply put, Portland has more men than women.  That’s exactly how it was in the military, which is one of the things I missed.

However, I’ve been taking some art classes (Life Drawing and Painting 101) at Portland Community College.  Here is a drawing of a nude figure from my drawing class.  It was a 15 minute pose, charcoal.

Memorial Day at the Punchbowl Memorial Day Ceremony in Oahu, Hawaii.

I went through a rough patch in December and having to fight and play politics with the VA Hospital to get the treatment I deserve has been a long, long process.  I had such bad experiences with the mental health clinic and the ER there that I was finally able to get them to approve care outside of the VA Hospital and pay for it.  That was no small feat.  And, here’s how you do it:

1.  If you have a bad experience with a care provider there, don’t wait to complain.  Walk directly to the Patient Advocacy Office right after your appointment and, in a very calm and fair way, tell them about your concerns.  If there’s anyone that can make a doctor, nurse, admin, or staff behave, it’s them!  That’s the first step.

2.  If it’s not resolved, then go up, and up, and up the chain of command at the hospital until someone listens and tries to fix the problem and help you. I’ve done this with bosses, co-workers, the government (attorney generals, Congressmen, the White House, activist agencies, the military).  The reason you go to the VA Hospital and sense as though you’re in an IRS office dealing with disgruntled government workers is because they are a government hospital run by politicians, not doctors.  And, you have to remind them who they’re working for- you (the tax-payer).  I’ve also had to remind them that at the end of the day, whatever professional issues they’re having the whole point of it all is to treat me, a disabled veteran.  That’s when they usually take a deep breath and change their attitude.

3.  With the VA, for me, it’s been a constant process of demanding to be treated with respect.  When I go there, there is an overall complete lack of bedside manner, except for the Women’s Clinic, which is amazing and just like civilian care.  You wouldn’t believe the things doctors and nurses have said to me in the other VA Clinics once a witness isn’t around or the door is closed.  I’ve been accused of lying about physical symptoms, playing games with a mental healthcare provider, and the list goes on and on, right down to being screamed at by a janitor for taking too long in the ladies bathroom.

There was a report released by the Government Accountability Office News from June 2011 on the Government Accountability Report stating the problems with rapes and sexual assaults female veterans have experienced at VA Hospitals and Clinics, including forceful exams and so forth. People have a hard time believing the bad experiences I’ve had with the VA Hospitals, and now there’s proof that I’m not the only woman veteran being mistreated.  This is why there is so much attention on the VA and how they should treat female veterans.  When the report was released in Washington D.C., there was complete outrage.

News on Assaults and Harassment at VA Hospitals

4.  If none of this is working, write your congressman or woman.  Do a google search and find out what subcommittees they’re on.  This is how I found Jean Cowan.  She’s not a representative of my area, but she’s still in Oregon and on a subcommittee for female veterans and healthcare.  I work through her office to get the bigger issues handled.

5.  Writing the White House actually works.  Sure, there’s a word-count limit, but I’ve used this and it has been very effective.  I filled out a general feedback form on the White House website about my claim, and within a month the VA contacted me referencing my e-mail to President Obama.  They communicated where my claim was at in the process and what was holding it up.  I took care of the things that were holding it up.  It would’ve taken months for them to communicate this to me.  Then, I got another letter from the Director of the Oregon VA Claims Office apologizing to me for my claim taking so long!  That would have NEVER happened if the White House hadn’t spoken to the VA about my claim.

Amazing!  I was so proud to be an American when I got those letters.  We can’t give up on our government.  We have to do something when there’s a problem in order for the VA to evolve.  You have to be your own activist and then consider helping out the next veteran by having the problem fixed so that they won’t have to go through the same ordeal.  The bravery you had when you served can still serve you as a civilian.  You can do it!  Because, let’s face it, it’s free healthcare for us veterans, and WE DESERVE IT.

White House.gov