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Angelika (On behalf of my Dad) 29 United States Army
NY United States
My Dad is a retired veteran. He served in the Army for 5 years during the Korean conflict. He was a very active person. Always on the go. Just 5 months ago, at the age of 74, my Dad shockingly had a stroke. A few hours after the stroke, he was doing great clinically, he never lost conscious, he was still mobile and talkative. The Doctor said clinically he's doing great but the cat scan shows he has fluid in his brain. The hospital kept prolonging surgery until the 10th day when my Dad suddenly lost conscious. My Dad had a hemicraniectomy where they removed the right side of his skull and implanted it in his abdomen. After the surgery, my Dad lost his ability to move his left side of his body. His leg & arm on his left side moves involuntary but not voluntary. From having physical, occupational and speech therapy, he has improved tremendously but according Medicare insurance, it's not enough and they do not want to pay for his health care. My family and I thought that with sending him to a VA facility, they will cover him but they do not want to either which I'm having a problem understanding. Their first comment when entering the facility is, come to my office lets discuss finances. I was told that if he wasn't injured in war, he will not be covered. I understand he wasn't injured in war but he served for us and shouldn't he be given the same rights?! He paved the way for some of these soldiers today and should be treated with the same respect, appreciation and acknowledgment. It's not fair and now I have my disabled Dad who still needs help to recover and no one wants to help us. My Dad is willing and able to do the work to recover. He has the soldier mentality of working hard and believing he will get back to where he once was. He hasn't given up, I'm not giving up and I don't want the VA to give up on him either so please... If anyone can give my Mom and I advice, it will be greatly and sincerely appreciated. This is our only hope.
