Last month I decided to sign up with the Veterans Administration. Forty-five years ago, I was blinded for a month in a missile explosion and had to have two fingers reattached. That story is here.
The 20 year old who got injured in 1973 is now 65 years old. I have no current problems, but my eyes still have a few small bits of shrapnel in them as do my hands and upper body. My vision is fine, but if something goes wrong, I want to make sure I am in the system and can get care quickly.
A month ago I called the VA hospital in Lebanon. I told the person I spoke with when I served and how I was injured. The counselor I spoke with said I should see a VA physician and got that process started. They set up the appointment at a VA clinic five miles from my house.
This week, I went to the clinic, was greeted with smiles. Before I saw the doctor, the nurse who took me to the exam room gave me a folder full of contact numbers in case I had any immediate problems or wanted other VA assistance. I saw the doctor within five minutes of the appointment time--not my usual experience with civilian doctors. The doctor spent 40 minutes with me, going over my service history and service-related injuries.
By the time I left the clinic, I had an appointment with a VA eye doctor. I may never actually need VA care, but if I do the process of getting connected with the VA has been hassle free.
