This book will directly help the veterans and the families, friends, and counselors of the men and women who left behind parts of themselves on the battlefield as they kept the rest of Americans safe from terror.
Thousands of American service members are returning from their tours of duty with physical and/or psychological disabilities. Many—if not most—of these service members will need at least some assistance to adapt to their disabilities and learn how to reintegrate back into civilian life. Also impacted will be the spouse, friends, employers, family members, counselors, and community members of each veteran with a disability. The veterans may not be aware of the ways in which their disabilities are impacting them, nor knowledgeable about the resources available to help them cope. In addition, many such individuals feel isolated and reluctant to acknowledge their difficulties or ask for assistance.
The volume compiles and summarizes the information disabled veterans and those with whom they interact will be interested in knowing and using. It describes how disabilities can impact an individual physically, psychologically, and spiritually. It also provides a context of these disabilities to reassure the readers that they are not alone in the thoughts, feelings, and pain, and that others have experienced the same problems and found solutions. The work provides guidance on different forms of treatment that may help the veteran and includes a list of contact information for local VA centers, peer-to-peer counseling services, and other programs, services, and individuals available (frequently for free) for veterans and their families. Brief biographies of disabled veterans and case studies of the ways they reintegrated back into civilian society provide support and perspective. In addition to aiding veterans, the book will serve as a useful reference source for librarians and other information providers.
Highlights
This book will provide veterans with disabilities, their families, friends, and supporters with the knowledge that they are not alone. It will help them understand how the disabilities are impacting them, and guide them to information and resources that will help them accommodate the disabilities and reintegrate back into civilian society.
Foreword Daniel K. Inouye
Preface
Ch. 1: Benefits for Veterans: A Historical Context and Overview of the Current Situation Rodney R. Baker, Ph.D.
Ch. 2: Current Veterans Demographics and Implications for Veterans Health Care Ann M. Hendricks, Ph.D. and Jomana H. Amara, Ph.D., P.E.
Ch. 3: Injuries and Symptoms
Ch. 4: The Physical and Psychological Impact Of Your Injury and Disability John W. Klocek, Ph.D.
Ch. 5: Fitness for Duty, Recovery, and Return To Service Mark J. Bates, Ph.D., Stephen V. Bowles, Ph.D. and Jocelyn A. Kilgore, M.D.
Ch. 6: Finding Employment As A Veteran with a Disability Nathan D. Ainspan, Ph.D.
Ch. 7: Education Options Charles Sabatier, J.D.
Ch. 8: Disability and Injuring Among Members Of the National Guard and Reserves Units Jamie Darwin, PsyD.
Ch. 9: Impact on Family and Friends Shirley M. Glynn, Ph.D.
Ch. 10: Peer Support Services Wayne Gregory, Ph.D.
Ch. 11: The Psychosocial Impact of Disabilities Walter Penk, Ph. D. and Ralph Robinowitz, Ph.D.
Ch.12: Time Line
Reviews
"...should be required reading for any Army Medical Department staff member involved in patient care of wounded warriors, and should also be recommended reading for family members of a wounded warrior. . . . This book has made a valiant attempt to close the gap of uncertainty in how to care for our wounded, while providing a roadmap to better and more meaningful and productive lives for soldiers and their caregivers."—Parameters
"This book offers guidance to those who have returned from military service with physical and/or emotional injuries and disabilities. It is not only for veterans but also for the friends, family members, and professionals who serve and support these brave men and women...Public libraries will want this book for veterans in their communities, and academic libraries will want it for the growing number of veterans attending their campuses following active duty. This book will also support academic programs in public policy, psychology, counseling, and related fields... Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers."—Choice
