Yes. It is January of a new year and in a few short months it will be pothole season in the metro Chicago area. A fact of life to be sure but we know it is coming. One of those monster potholes may catch you off guard.
If you have lived on this Earth for a while, you know we also have bumps in the road in life’s journey. Sometimes there is a big yellow sign that says “BUMP” and we have time to prepare. Other “BUMPS” give us little warning. I have recently experienced my own “BUMP” as I have learned that I need a hip replacement. Although there was no “BUMP” sign to warn me overall, I find myself in good shape.
I am thankful to be living in an area with excellent health services and physicians. I am also thankful that I have taken the time to network and link all of my medical treatments through my family physician, medical specialists and, most of all, the VA.
If you are a Veteran, it is both your right and duty to get signed up for VA Healthcare. Remember the VA budget is based on numbers. Even if you don’t use the VA facilities, you are helping all Veterans by enrolling in the system.
Who knows? Down the road you may have to use VA healthcare. The Hines Community Outreach Team comes to the Judd Kendall VFW Post in Naperville the first Tuesday of every month. They will help you get signed up for VA Healthcare and help you set up appointments. There is also a Veteran Service Officer that will be there to help you file claims.
One of your New Year’s resolutions should be to reach out to a Veteran if you think he needs help. There are 22 Veterans of all eras that commit suicide every day. If you know of a Veteran in crisis, talk to him, listen to him and get him to call the VA CRISIS LINE (800) 273-8255 PRESS 1.
One of my resolutions is to make sure that I help Veterans even more this year than last. The rest of my resolutions don’t really matter. I’ll probably break them anyway.
