Veterans tell Durbin of the toll post-traumatic stress

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-durbinvets29.html

Seated at a table with emotional and angry veterans Monday, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) announced he will introduce new legislation requiring the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to expand its treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Veterans hospitals are not equipped to do the job," said Durbin at an American Legion in Bucktown. "They don't have enough counselors and doctors to help these returning veterans and their families."

An estimated 15 percent to 30 percent of all returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan will suffer from the disabling disorder characterized by violent flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety. Nationwide, the VA is treating 244,000 veterans from previous wars who have PTSD, but some experts fear the VA is not staffed to handle the influx of new soldiers.

Veterans from the Vietnam War and World War II, including one man who survived the Bataan Death March, explained to Durbin how their lives have been crippled by PTSD, which wasn't recognized by the VA until the early 1980s.

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[babylonsister]

1. I love Durbin and am glad he's shining

the spotlight on this awful malady.

[suegeo]

2. Kick

The work done with PTSD is important work.

[warrens]

3. I got to spend a few days with Durbin and Obama

While Obama was campaigning through Illinois after the Dem convention. And he is just a great guy, funny as hell. They're going to be a team for a long time, and it just gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to have two terrific senators.

Durbin is a true treasure. And his wife is a laff riot.

[suegeo]

4. This needs to be back on page 1

For the vets