When Veterans Are In Crisis, Fight for Their Lives!

We need to stop taking "no" for an answer, especially when we're asking for help to save someone's life. When a veteran reaches the point where they are in crisis and ask for help, do not walk away from the VA! Tell them to either find a bed there or send you some place else.

I actually heard someone say that veterans do not call 911 or show up at an emergency room for civilian care because they do not want to get stuck with the bill. DEAL WITH IT! 

We did! In the 90's they didn't have a bed for my husband but I told them we were not leaving until they found a place for him. They saved his life and we got stuck with the bill because our private insurance wouldn't pay for something the VA doctor said was tied to Vietnam. When we couldn't afford to pay, they took our tax refund for years. Six years later, when his claim was finally approved, we got most of the money back.

It wasn't fair. It wasn't easy. But giving up on him getting the help he needed was not an option. Why it is still happening is beyond excuses from Congress but it is what it is for now until they are forced to fix the problems with the VA. Still don't blame the VA for everything because when you'll deal with the same thing in civilian hospitals. You just have better chances with them since there are a lot more beds in their hospitals.

Wife of veteran says Topeka VA didn’t do enough to help suicidal husband

Travis Patterson died on Jan. 27 at age 26

On Jan. 25, Travis tried to kill himself. The couple went to the Topeka VA’s mental health building. Staff said it was closed and to go the VA emergency room. Rachel said the emergency room doctor took Travis’ vital signs and told them there wasn’t much they could do that night. They were given the option to be admitted and seen in the morning or to go home and come back the next day. They opted to go home.

When Travis Patterson sought care at the Topeka VA after attempting suicide, his wife, Rachel Patterson, said they were told no one could provide immediate help. Two days later, Travis Patterson killed himself at the age of 26.

“He was driven to this because he didn’t get the help he should’ve gotten,” Rachel Patterson said.

Travis Patterson, also known as “Patt,” had been in intense pain since December, his wife said. Much of his physical pain stemmed from his time in the service. Travis was deployed three times — to Iraq, Afghanistan and Nigeria. In Afghanistan, his truck was blown up. In June 2016, he was discharged from the military.

He suffered from bulging disks, nerve pain and migraines, Rachel said. The pain, at times, prevented him from going to work or school, and he walked with a cane. In December, it worsened. Rachel said doctors wouldn’t prescribe a different medication.

“As a veteran, being treated like that, basically treated like you’re a criminal, it hurts your pride. It doesn’t make you feel like you’re a person and that definitely contributed,” Rachel said.

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