Thursday, January 23, 2014

It May Be Nothing To Some But it Is Very Cool To Me.

This Is how determined I am to share my story with the world. I decided to send a message to the president about my book and to my surprise I received a response. Now by no means is this an endorsement or even a  person response. This is just a generic letter probably written by a white house staff member who could care less who I am or what I am trying to do. But all be darn if I did't get a little exited just to get a response. I just want to say to all who are following this journey no matter how crazy everyone says I am I  have faith and will never stop going out on the limb just because I CAN.
Post Trauma: Facing My Pain and Embracing Change
It is worth reading.


The White House, Washington
 

Thank you for writing.  As so many Americans know, Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a pain like no other.  Those who are suffering deserve high-quality care and lasting support, and a country that walks with them on the journey to get well.
Right now, too many people with PTSD are fighting their battle alone.  Millions of Americans are shouldering the burden of post-traumatic stress, and even more of us know someone who is struggling with it.  But even though we know that recovery is possible, there is still a stigma about seeking help.  So all too often, men and women are suffering in silence rather than reaching out.
We see it in veterans who come home with the invisible wounds of war, but who feel somehow that getting treatment is a sign of weakness.  We see it in the tragic epidemic of suicide that leads too many veterans to take their own lives.
To them, and to every American living with PTSD, our message must be absolutely clear:  if you are hurting, it is not a sign of weakness to ask for help.  It is a sign of strength.  And when you reach out, we will be there to lend a hand.
Since I took office, we have poured tremendous resources into this fight.  We are hiring thousands more counselors and clinicians, and ramping up outreach so our veterans and troops know how to get the care they need.  We made it easier to qualify for veteran’s benefits if you have PTSD.  We are making big investments in research to prevent, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions like PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
And whether you are a veteran or not, you have new options and new protections under the Affordable Care Act.  Thanks to the law, insurance companies can no longer deny coverage because of a pre‑existing condition, including PTSD.  More than 60 million people get expanded mental health and substance abuse benefits.  And if you do not already have health insurance, you can go online at www.HealthCare.gov, compare private insurance plans side-by-side, and buy quality, affordable health insurance that works for you.
These are ways government can help men and women who are struggling with PTSD, and we are going to keep working to find more.  But it cannot stop there.  Communities can strengthen support for those who need it, including caregivers.  And more than anything, we can let people with PTSD know that they are not alone, and that help is out there.
Thank you, again, for sharing your thoughts with me.  To learn more about our efforts to address PTSD, or how to get help, visitwww.MentalHealth.gov.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama

Visit WhiteHouse.gov

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