Orlando KIA tested and trusted
by Kathie Costos
Wounded Times Blog
May 16, 2013
I never thought I'd be writing about a car dealership on Wounded Times but after what Orlando KIA did for me yesterday, I have to.
I have a 2005 KIA Sportage that has over 90,000 miles on it. Most of the miles came from traveling to film events for veterans groups and visiting veterans in need. They can't afford to make donations and the groups are struggling to find support for themselves, so I am usually last on list to take care of. That leaves me in a constant financial bind. Last year I filmed over 40 events in and around Central Florida and there are many more events coming up, so I really need my car to run right.
Monday I took it into Orland KIA East for an oil change. I always bring it there because of a past history of knowing I can trust them. They are always friendly so I don't mind hanging around. Tuesday I was taking my husband for an eye doctor appointment when he noticed a leak under my car. It was a puddle of oil. I dropped him off at the doctor's office and took off for KIA.
The plug for the oil tank was broken. They replaced the oil and ordered the new tank. Then they told me it was covered. Yesterday I dropped it off and when I went back to get it, Tony in service told me they covered it because it was their fault. I was speechless because they could have lied and I would have been out over $400 for a repair.
That's what KIA does. It wasn't the first time they were totally honest with me.
The event I had to go to last night was in Sanford. It was training for Saturday's Stand Down for homeless veterans that I am scheduled to do.
I told Tony that if ever I can afford another car, it will be another KIA and I will buy it from them. I fell in love with a black KIA Sportage!
There are so few companies getting credit when they can be trusted that I really felt I had to tell what happened. Their slogan is "We wanna see ya in a KIA." So do I.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Rise in Suicides Plagues the U.S. Military not as Battling as you think
Some of the veterans in this great report by Jim Dao of the New York Times came from Wounded Times. I had given up on helping reporters since it became clear they were just looking for an easy way of writing it. Jim is different. I've read enough of his article enough to know that if I helped him, he would do these families justice. I am glad I was right. He did an outstanding job.
Wade's Mom Louise is in my book THE WARRIOR SAW, SUICIDES AFTER WAR and told her story.
The answer is to stop resilience training. Plain and simple.
Non-deployed servicemen and women can in fact be hit by PTSD from training and the rude awakening that combat is far different from computer games and target practice with their Dads. Training by design is breaking them down. Some can't take it. Then there is the factor of sexual abuse on males as well as females. There is the knowledge that they could also be the next to be blown up in combat. It isn't as if they can just give their two weeks notice and go on to another job. Leaving the military stays with them. We also know that less than half of the veterans with PTSD seek help. Resilience training adds to this by telling them they can become "mentally tough" and train their brains to be resilient. What they hear is another story. They hear if they end up with PTSD they are weak minded and didn't train right. Their buddies got the same message, so they will not talk to them about what is going on.
It is the same story when they are deployed but what is fascinating about them is most do not commit suicide while deployed. They refuse to allow themselves to feel that much pain while they buddies are still in danger during combat. They wait until everyone is safely back home.
If the DOD was serious, they would end this approach. The number of forces committing suicide is higher when they become veterans.
THE HARD ROAD BACKWade Toothman Refused to see a doctor about possible post-traumatic stress. “People will say I’m crazy.”
Baffling Rise in Suicides Plagues the U.S. Military
New York Times
By JAMES DAO and ANDREW W. LEHREN
Published: May 15, 2013
After Specialist Freddy Hook, a medic with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, killed himself in 2010, the trail of possible causes seemed long.
He had used illegal drugs: Was it the demons of addiction? His rocky relationship with his fiancée? A wrenching deployment to earthquake-ravaged Haiti or the prospect of an impending tour in Afghanistan?
As with most of suicides plaguing the military today, no one will know for sure.
“There are so many factors,” said his mother, Theresa Taylor, of Lafayette, La. “Everything that was important to him was having problems.”
Of the crises facing American troops today, suicide ranks among the most emotionally wrenching — and baffling. Over the course of nearly 12 years and two wars, suicide among active-duty troops has risen steadily, hitting a record of 350 in 2012. That total was twice as many as a decade before and surpassed not only the number of American troops killed in Afghanistan but also the number who died in transportation accidents last year.
read more here
Wade's Mom Louise is in my book THE WARRIOR SAW, SUICIDES AFTER WAR and told her story.
The answer is to stop resilience training. Plain and simple.
Non-deployed servicemen and women can in fact be hit by PTSD from training and the rude awakening that combat is far different from computer games and target practice with their Dads. Training by design is breaking them down. Some can't take it. Then there is the factor of sexual abuse on males as well as females. There is the knowledge that they could also be the next to be blown up in combat. It isn't as if they can just give their two weeks notice and go on to another job. Leaving the military stays with them. We also know that less than half of the veterans with PTSD seek help. Resilience training adds to this by telling them they can become "mentally tough" and train their brains to be resilient. What they hear is another story. They hear if they end up with PTSD they are weak minded and didn't train right. Their buddies got the same message, so they will not talk to them about what is going on.
It is the same story when they are deployed but what is fascinating about them is most do not commit suicide while deployed. They refuse to allow themselves to feel that much pain while they buddies are still in danger during combat. They wait until everyone is safely back home.
If the DOD was serious, they would end this approach. The number of forces committing suicide is higher when they become veterans.
Double Amputee Iraq Vet says "it's about learning to dance in the rain"
Luis Puertas is the big engine that could
U.S. Paralympics
BY SCOTTIE BIBB
MAY 14, 2013
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Retired Army Specialist Luis Puertas, a native of Orlando, has a mantra he likes to repeat to stay motivated: “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
That mantra has served him well for the past seven years.
On Sept. 20, 2006, Puertas was serving with the 4th Infantry Division in Baghdad when his convoy was hit by an explosively formed penetrator (EFP). Puertas was trapped beneath the 400 pound armored door of the Humvee in which he was traveling.
“I lost my legs instantly in that blast,” Puertas said.
He was airlifted to a hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, and was then transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he spent the next 14 months undergoing operations and rehabilitation.
“I wanted to recover and get out of the hospital, and get on with my life,” Puertas said. “Adaptive sports gave me the initial push I needed to get my engine rolling.”
It looks like Puertas’ engine is running at full speed, as he finished first in the 100 meters, the 200 and the 1,500-meter (above knee amputee) track events today at Warrior Games presented by Deloitte. Puertas is one of the 260 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans participating in the Warrior Games, now in its fourth year.
Prior to the start of the events, when asked how he thought he’d perform, Puertas was more than confident.
“I will win gold in every event today,” he said. “That’s how you have to think about things, in order to get them done. When you see it in your mind, you envision it. You dream about it every day. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t happen.”
Once Puertas decided to envision his complete rehabilitation, nothing could stop him.
read more here
This is from the fundraiser the Orlando Nam Knights had for Luis.
Nam Knights Orlando and Homes For Our Troops Music by Bad Mannerz Two Iraq veterans offer hope after amputations
Jun 5, 2011
U.S. Paralympics
BY SCOTTIE BIBB
MAY 14, 2013
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Retired Army Specialist Luis Puertas, a native of Orlando, has a mantra he likes to repeat to stay motivated: “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
That mantra has served him well for the past seven years.
On Sept. 20, 2006, Puertas was serving with the 4th Infantry Division in Baghdad when his convoy was hit by an explosively formed penetrator (EFP). Puertas was trapped beneath the 400 pound armored door of the Humvee in which he was traveling.
“I lost my legs instantly in that blast,” Puertas said.
He was airlifted to a hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, and was then transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he spent the next 14 months undergoing operations and rehabilitation.
“I wanted to recover and get out of the hospital, and get on with my life,” Puertas said. “Adaptive sports gave me the initial push I needed to get my engine rolling.”
It looks like Puertas’ engine is running at full speed, as he finished first in the 100 meters, the 200 and the 1,500-meter (above knee amputee) track events today at Warrior Games presented by Deloitte. Puertas is one of the 260 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans participating in the Warrior Games, now in its fourth year.
Prior to the start of the events, when asked how he thought he’d perform, Puertas was more than confident.
“I will win gold in every event today,” he said. “That’s how you have to think about things, in order to get them done. When you see it in your mind, you envision it. You dream about it every day. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t happen.”
Once Puertas decided to envision his complete rehabilitation, nothing could stop him.
read more here
This is from the fundraiser the Orlando Nam Knights had for Luis.
Nam Knights Orlando and Homes For Our Troops Music by Bad Mannerz Two Iraq veterans offer hope after amputations
Jun 5, 2011
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Marine to run marathon after doctors said he wouldn't walk!
Marine recovers from brain injury, will run in half marathon
WCTI News
By Kyle Horan
May 14 2013
CAMP LEJEUNE
One Eastern North Carolina man has overcome all odds to recover from post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
SSgt. Ryan Anderson was injured in Iraq in 2006 when he was subjected to 7 improvised explosive device explosions in three days.
The injuries SSgt. Anderson sustained eventually left him nearly unable to walk and his ability to speak fading.
"The doctors told me they didn't think I would be able to walk again," SSgt. Anderson said.
"They didn't think I would be able to stay in the Marine Corps. Here I am six years later, still going strong."
SSgt. Anderson started rehabilitation in 2010 on a hand bike. Three years later, he can now travel up to 70 miles on a regular bike.
read more here
WCTI News
By Kyle Horan
May 14 2013
CAMP LEJEUNE
One Eastern North Carolina man has overcome all odds to recover from post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
SSgt. Ryan Anderson was injured in Iraq in 2006 when he was subjected to 7 improvised explosive device explosions in three days.
The injuries SSgt. Anderson sustained eventually left him nearly unable to walk and his ability to speak fading.
"The doctors told me they didn't think I would be able to walk again," SSgt. Anderson said.
"They didn't think I would be able to stay in the Marine Corps. Here I am six years later, still going strong."
SSgt. Anderson started rehabilitation in 2010 on a hand bike. Three years later, he can now travel up to 70 miles on a regular bike.
read more here
Fort Carson soldiers injured in Humvee rollover crash
Fort Carson soldiers injured in Humvee rollover crash
The Gazette
by DANIEL J. CHACON
Published: May 13, 2013
Two Fort Carson soldiers suffered minor injuries Monday when they rolled a Humvee.
The crash, which motorists could see from Interstate 25, happened on base about 3:30 p.m.
read more here
The Gazette
by DANIEL J. CHACON
Published: May 13, 2013
Two Fort Carson soldiers suffered minor injuries Monday when they rolled a Humvee.
The crash, which motorists could see from Interstate 25, happened on base about 3:30 p.m.
read more here
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