Veterans: That’s NOT As Good As It Gets

CPT Tom Aiello — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 16:25:41 -0400

During my exit physical from the Army, the doctor at Fort Hood acknowledged my HUMMV rollover and spinal cord injuries. But when I asked, what do we do to fix it? What do we do to treat it? The doctor just responded, “We’ll that’s as good as it gets.”

It’s funny to me, because we all joined the military with the same idea that “this is as good as it gets.” But we learned that through hard work, teamwork, and advanced technology, we were capable of so much more. The military puts us through hell to show us what we’re truly able to do.

That’s the irony any time someone tells a veteran “that’s as good as it gets.” I’ve heard this story repeat time and again for active military and veterans. The problem with this is that it doesn’t keep up with the veterans who are beating the odds and new medical technologies that challenge those earlier assumptions.

Now, you may not be an injured veteran, but that’s why YOU need to know this. You realize that veterans are less likely to seek help for themselves, but veterans are more likely to help another veteran. That’s why you need to share medical advances and examples of veterans re-defining “how it has to be.”

A great example of this is a low-cost arm device that allows veterans to gain mobility and use from their weakened or paralyzed arm. The MyoPro (hotlink: http://www.veteran.myomo.com) uses the signals the brain still sends to muscle groups to activate the device and restore upper limb mobility. The device is being distributed by VA hospitals, medical providers, and even some veteran non-profits.

It’s estimated that 500,000 veterans could use a MyoPro to regain function of their arm and improve their quality of life. However, at some point after a spinal cord injury, neck injury, or stroke they were told, “that’s as good as it gets.”

So if you know a veteran that has limited use of a weakened arm, have them check out http://www.Myomo.com/veteran. And if you know of a veteran who was told “that’s as good as it gets” on anything from their health to employment, help them to see the veterans who are challenging those odds… After all, military veterans love a good challenge.

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About the author: Tom was disabled from a spinal cord injury he received while serving as an Army captain. After graduating from West Point, he served in the 1st Cavalry Division with deployments to Kuwait, Panama, and Korea. Tom’s civilian career includes Kellogg Business School, Leo Burnett advertising, Monster.com, and Sears Holdings. He’s focused on less talk and competing veteran help efforts and more results. Tom has helped employers hire over 50,000 vets and raised $118 million for community programs, helping more than 110,000 military and veteran families.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Aug 11 at 2015 4:29 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 16:29:39 -0400

It is great that the technology is available. It is too bad that many needing and deserving vets will miss out due to the poor management of the VA system.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 11 at 2015 4:31 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 16:31:10 -0400

Every vet deserve better than that. The doctor should be ashamed he uttered those words. How would he feel if the roles were reversed?

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Aug 11 at 2015 5:03 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 17:03:00 -0400

CPT Tom Aiello Thanks for being an inspiration to anyone who is going through such an uphill battle. I encourage anyone needing support to look into Myomo. This technology is really changing lives and it's great to hear the VA is distributing it to those who need it.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Aug 11 at 2015 7:57 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 19:57:16 -0400

I have spinal injuries, but not spinal cord injuries. I can only imagine how frustrating these types of injuries are. I am glad that there are organizations working to help these veterans...

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 11 at 2015 9:42 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 21:42:42 -0400

First of all a BIG HUGE THANK YOU; AND A BIG HUGE HUG TO YOU: CPT Tom Aiello.
I have invisible injuries: PTSD, mental illness and a stress disorder.
But, you are RIGHT! Not only is it "NOT as good as it gets"; it is FAR, FAR, EXCEEDINGLY BETTER THAN IT GETS!
I am a photographer and a Soldiers' Angel. I have four groups on Facebook: 'Veterans with Mental Health Issues', 'Group for Veterans with Mental Health Issues-or Not', my Group for Suicidal Active Duty and for Suicidal Veterans- http://www.facebook.com/groupforsuicidalactivedutyandforsuicidalveterans , and my FINE ARTS PROFESIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: MARGARET CHRISTIE HIGGINS SHAUN group.
I am always helping veterans at the VA, I have two Foster Children, 10 or 11 Facebook children, 2 grandsons on the internet, etc. etc.
I help my community, my country, and the world.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Aug 13 at 2015 3:08 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 15:08:18 -0400

I know a person born with a disease that causes joint degeneration. He started bodybuilding so that the muscles could take up the slack... and has surprised the "specialists".

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
~ Dylan Thomas

http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/do-not-go-gentle-good-night

Do not go gentle into that good night | Academy of American Poets

The Academy of American Poets is the largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets. For over three generations, the Academy has connected millions of people to great poetry through programs such as National Poetry Month, the largest literary celebration in the world; Poets.org, the Academy’s popular website; American Poets, a biannual literary journal; and an...

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Nov 20 at 2015 10:30 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 10:30:17 -0500

As it says in Deuteronomy - Be strong and courageous...

Response by SSG Keith Fosmire made Nov 20 at 2015 10:38 AM

SSG Keith Fosmire — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 10:38:02 -0500

I was diagnosed with tendinitis in my shoulder when I got out. The doctor said the pain was from my mind because of my heightened senses. That was 5 years ago, I just found out from an x-ray that my shoulder pain was actually from a dislocated collar bone and blade. And that was the end of that discussion...oh yeah he gave me some ibuprofen.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 20 at 2015 2:57 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 14:57:56 -0500

I see two things: 1. Educate the disabled vet on solutions to medical problems. 2. Make sure they have the winning spirit to fight the good fight.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Nov 20 at 2015 6:57 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 18:57:56 -0500

Resiliency is vital to overcoming mediocrity of thought and too often medical prognosis. I sought out an experienced acupuncturist who finally correctly diagnosed a lump in my neck after several VA's misdiagnosed my condition. An Army surgeon later confirmed and removed the cancerous mass. Never rely on one person's opinion (perspective), especially when it involves your quality of life.

Response by PO3 Julia Perry made Apr 4 at 2016 12:45 AM

PO3 Julia Perry — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 00:45:12 -0400

truly impressive

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Feb 9 at 2019 3:13 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 03:13:49 -0500

The humvee rollover mention reminds Me of a similar thing that happened in 1969 with the 366th Security Police Squadron, Da Nang, Vietnam. My supervisor, TSgt Ratliff, was driving in a jeep with his replacement in the front passenger seat. The replacement, TSgt Royce H. Adams I had just met TSgt Adams briefly as I was rotating back to the CONUS. The jeep was great on rough terrain but nor so good on hard surfaces and it rolled over and the replacement was killed. it doesn't sound like the humvee was that good or a safer replacement for the jeeps. The accident in which TSgt Royce died happened approx one week after I arrived back in the US from Vietnam. The Humvee was supposed to be the safer alternative to the jeeps and not prone to the rollovers, so much for that I guess.