Battling the Storm Within Blog

As the Author of the #1 Amazon National-International Best Seller War Memoir “Battling the Storm Within” about living 20 years undiagnosed with PTSD, MST and the GWI. My mission is to empower others to address their own personal traumas, be healed, restored and live again. I believe in telling the truth, living the truth and being the truth. I will share the truth for it sets you free. I have battled my storm that was within me and won, so can you! Peace and blessings Sgt. Stephanie J. Shannon

Sunday, September 27, 2015

22 Veteran Suicides per Day is actually 35 per Day

May 24, 2015. Washington. (ONN) With this being Memorial Day weekend, many Americans will spend their time barbecuing, watching old war movies and some just relaxing or working in the garden. But hundreds of thousands of Americans will be doing something more appropriate for the holiday. They’ll be memorializing not the countless American soldiers who gave all fighting for their country over the years, but instead a lost loved one who was one of the 35 veterans who commits suicide every day.

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http://www.whiteoutpress.com/articles/2015/q2/22-veteran-suicides-day-actually-35-day/

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Study: Cell Damage Linked to Gulf War Illness

WASHINGTON -- A new study could provide new clues for doctors struggling to treat a mysterious illness that has affected tens of thousands of Gulf War veterans for decades.
The study, done with Department of Veterans Affairs funding in conjunction with Rutgers University, found that veterans suffering from Gulf War illness have damaged mitochondria, which can lead to chronic fatigue, one of the main symptoms reported by Gulf War veterans.

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http://m.military.com/daily-news/2015/09/11/study-cell-damage-linked-to-gulf-war-illness.html

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For veterans with Gulf War Illness, an explanation for the unexplainable symptoms

One in four Gulf War veterans suffers from Gulf War Illness, a condition characterized by unexplainable chronic fatigue, muscle pain and cognitive dysfunction. New research finds for the first time direct evidence that the cells of Gulf War veterans cannot produce enough energy to run the body, explaining the fatigue and slow down of the body.

In Unit Stalked by Suicide, Veterans Try to Save One Another

After the sixth suicide in his old battalion, Manny Bojorquez sank onto his bed. With a half-empty bottle of Jim Beam beside him and a pistol in his hand, he began to cry.

He had gone to Afghanistan at 19 as a machine-gunner in the Marine Corps. In the 18 months since leaving the military, he had grown long hair and a bushy mustache. It was 2012. He was working part time in a store selling baseball caps and going to community college while living with his parents in the suburbs of Phoenix. He rarely mentioned the war to friends and family, and he never mentioned his nightmares.

Servicewomen Don’t Lean In; They Step Up

Several servicewomen share leadership insights from their hard-earned military experiences.

For the past few years, Facebook Chief Executive Officer Sheryl Sandberg’s book, “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead,” has been a topic of conversation among my female officer peers. Many of them identify with the topics she addresses: leading as a woman in a male-dominated career field, managing the work-life balance, and taking risks in order to pursue career opportunities.

We Still Don't Have an Answer to Suicide Epidemic Among Veterans

All of us who have been in combat have memories we would like to forget. I don't remember every single day of my service in Vietnam, not by any means, but images from the times when I might have died, but by pure chance didn't, are in permanent residence in my memory. Seeing another Marine blown to pieces, literally, is an image I will carry to my deathbed.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-peck/we-still-dont-have-an-ans_b_8185628.html

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Gulf War Veterans: The Finer Details on Undiagnosed Illnesses

The VA is required to grant service connection to a veteran who served in Southwest Asia from August 2, 1990 onward and has an undiagnosed illness. So what exactly is an “undiagnosed illness” according to the VA?

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https://www.hillandponton.com/gulf-war-veterans-the-finer-details-on-undiagnosed-illnesses/?Phtrack=socmed#utm_sguid=145664,382f3e0b-ba2f-eb43-9c02-d595aef14c50

One Photographer Is Showing The Truth Behind Those In The Military

A photographer and student is taking on a task that will change the way you think of veterans and active military personnel.

Devin Mitchell, a student studying sociology at Arizona State University, wants to show the world how much more there is to veterans than just their time spent serving our country.
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http://health.omgfacts.com/news/16774/One-Photographer-Is-Showing-The-Truth-Behind-Those-In-The-Military-ab963-5?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=WHFacebook&utm_campaign=fijifrost&utm_content=inf_10_406_2

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Study: Cell Damage Linked to Gulf War Illness

The Man Behind the Mask: An Advocate’s Perspective on Suicide

After experiencing rape in the military, Brian Lewis struggled with suicide. Don’t let the mask fool you.

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People say they follow me on Facebook. People “know” the supposedly successful military sexual trauma advocate I have become. People come up to me thanking me for making a stand about the bad treatment survivors receive from the Department of Defense and the Veterans Health Administration. People see that I worked with other survivors to found Men Recovering from Military Sexual Trauma to bring light to the knowledge that a majority of service members being raped in the military are men. People know that I have “overcome” the trauma to become a second year student at Hamline University School of Law.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Survey: Women struggle to be seen as 'real' veterans

Women already facing discrimination issues in the ranks confront similar challenges being accepted as "real veterans" in their post-military life, according to a new study released by officials at The Mission Continues on Monday.

The survey of women fellows in the group in April found that about two-thirds did not feel "respected and valued as veterans," because of a lack of respect of their service or assumptions they must be spouses instead of former service members.

That feeling in turn hurt their sense of identity and ability to connect with others.

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http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/veterans/2015/06/08/survey-women-struggle-to-be-seen-as-real-veterans/28698003/

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Bill in Washington aims to improve access to care for female veterans- VIDEO

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A Michigan-led bipartisan bill is aiming to improve access to medical care for female veterans.

U.S. Senator Gary Peters is co-sponsoring the Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act.

According to the VA, as of January, there were more than 46,000 women veterans in Michigan, and more than 2 million nationwide.

The legislation would require the VA to establish standards that focus specifically on women's needs, including full-time obstetricians or gynecologists at every VA Medical Center.

Watch Video...

http://www.wwmt.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Bill-in-Washington-aims-to-improve-access-to-care-for-female-veterans-197596.shtml

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com