Do you live with a physical condition? How does it impact your life?

SN Vivien Roman-Hampton — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 14:01:44 -0400

Please share what your experience is like.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2017 2:36 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 14:36:28 -0400

I have a condition that has been with me since birth. It causes aches and pains and setbacks, but also times of almost euphoria. These range from wonderful to near-tragic. It has a 100% chance of ending with death, and there is no cure. It's commonly known as life.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2017 2:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 14:37:07 -0400

yes almost daily lower back pain and possible TBI that VA refused to diagnose.

Response by 1stSgt Mack Housman made Sep 6 at 2017 3:34 PM

1stSgt Mack Housman — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 15:34:43 -0400

Titanium in femurs and hips, herniated discs in my back, TBI, PTSD, chronic pain from dusk till dawn till dusk. How does it impact my life? It doesn't (as far as you could tell). I refuse to let it keep me down...even though it slowed me a bit!

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Sep 6 at 2017 3:41 PM

SGT Jim Arnold — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 15:41:29 -0400

no right leg below the knee, useless right arm(brachal plexis type injury) and since I can't run anymore my ass is fat and now I'm diabetic but besides all that. I'm just peachy lol

Response by PO2 Robert Nichols made Sep 6 at 2017 10:55 PM

PO2 Robert Nichols — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 22:55:57 -0400

SN Vivien Roman-Hampton severe periferal neuropathy, bottom of my feet burn like they are on fire. Severe pain runs up the outside of my calves when I take a step. It feels like a knife is slicing my leg from ankle to my knee. Lower back pain, migraines, and neck pain (4 vertebrae are fused.) I have asthma and COPD. The worst part is not the pain but not being able to do a lot of things that I want to do. In my mind, I can do anything I want to do,, but...

Response by SSgt Holden M. made Sep 7 at 2017 1:48 PM

SSgt Holden M. — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 13:48:25 -0400

I have chronic knee pain in both knees, chronic right shoulder pain and I do my best to make sure it doesn't slow me down. The biggest thing that is frustrating is I'm not able to get down on my knees and play with my boys like I and they would like me to.

Response by SGT David Petree made Sep 7 at 2017 3:33 PM

SGT David Petree — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 15:33:39 -0400

the hearing aids work parity well . most words are NOT turned around any more . mussel spasm's of the rib cage are under control most of the time . lag spasm`s from hip to ankle are mostly under control . when they are not I could just scream .

Response by CPO David R. D. made Sep 7 at 2017 3:51 PM

CPO David R. D. — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 15:51:46 -0400

Physical condition? Nine months before I retired, I was playing basketball with some scouts from the Scout troop I volunteered with through our church, in Hawaii. Long story short, after stealing the ball and heading in for a lay-up, one of the young scouts took my legs out and I fractured my right hip. Didn't realize it for 8 days, as the initial x-ray did not show the fractured femur. While doing physical therapy for the hip, I was diagnosed with "plantar fasciitis in both feet. What this means, I have foot pain, every morning until the soles of my feet can get stretched out. I'm also still limited on my flexibility from the broken hip, as I have a titanium rod and two screws in my right leg/hip. But I live on a farm, and I take things slow.

Response by SFC Jerry Teichmiller made Sep 24 at 2025 11:28 AM

SFC Jerry Teichmiller — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:28:43 -0400

PTSD is problem one, my VA Shrink has taken good care of me and taught me how to deal with most of it. Still have nightmares and react to crowds, fireworks and most loud noises, I hope to beat this beast and I will. My blood pressure is hard to control, but then again B'ham VA is helping me to win this battle. Macular Degeneration has blinded me in my left eye, not a lot can be done, but I still have vision in the Right. I must learn to fire my rifle right handed. I can fire my hand guns with either hand. I am luckier than most Viet Vets and I will beat these things. Good old Agent Orange followed me home, but I say to hell with it.