Every cent counts
Donation protected
Hi, I'm Brandy. I'm a separated (10 yrs Active Duty) AMMO troop (2W071)and this is my SITREP.
In October of 2008, while serving this great country, I experienced a series of traumatic events in Iraq that left me with a Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These events were so severe, that I did not speak of them until I sought treatment for depression in October 2012. Since then I have been under the care of the Fargo VA heath system. I was diagnosed with PTSD, and TBI, and a disability claim was opened and completed to where I received 50% disability rating. During this time, I entered myself in a weekly, PTSD specialized therapeutic program at the Fargo Vet Center to facilitate recovery. I also enrolled in Minnesota State University Moorhead as a full time student accepted into the Bachelor’s of Social Work degree program dedicating my focus to veterans in need.
I excelled in my schoolwork, and because I was receiving compensation from the VA, and GI Bill/Vocational Rehab stipend, I could afford to live on my own and even pay down remaining debt from my recent divorce.
In December 2013, everything changed. While seeing a neurologist at the VA for migraines, I was put on a pharmaceutical combination that subsequently caused me to develop Serotonin Syndrome (possibly lethal). I was admitted into the hospital for 1 night. The VA evaluated my medication list and found several medications that I was on that were incompatible. The side effects of this medication change are still present within me today and have continued to worsen over the course of this year.
I had no choice but to withdraw from the classes that I was failing (due to exacerbated symptoms caused by this medication change). The VA sent a letter of recoup for the money that was paid to the school. I appealed immediately for a waiver citing financial hardship, as I was no longer receiving GI Bill stipend. I was denied and with very little notice, $1500 was recouped over the span of 2 months. I immediately applied for a job at The Dorothy Day House of Hospitality (men’s homeless shelter). I was awarded a job as a service coordinator and with this part time position I was meeting my financial responsibilities. During this time I was experiencing gradual worsening of all of my PTSD/TBI symptoms affecting memory, cognition, and more frequent/intense migraine headaches rendering me unable to leave my bed on severe days.
This not only affected my duties as a service coordinator, but literally being at work for 8 hours a day (part-time) was completely overwhelming, and near-constant triggering of traumatic memories. With much sadness, I had to resign my position as service coordinator as I could no longer perform my duties satisfactorily. During this time, I also had to withdraw from my classes again at MSUM due to my lack of cognition, memory, and understanding.
In September 2014, it was discovered that my medication appeared to no longer be working. I was put on another medication to boost the current med. This change proved to be the worst yet, as I am now experiencing the most severe PTSD/TBI symptoms that I have ever experienced. It was found by my psychiatrist at the Fargo VA that I am completely unable to do any work, or school indefinitely.
With the lack of a job, or GI Bill/Vocational Rehab Stipend, I am imminently homeless. I have applied for federal SSI/SSA (denied), Unemployment due to disability (denied), the VA is sending another round of recoup (appealed waiting decision) which will again, leave me with no income. I have reopened my disability claim with the VA (6-8 months turn around). The American Legion has submitted a request for expedition of my claim. I do not meet guidelines for Operation Homefront, Salute Heroes, or Operation Family Fund which I have been referred to by Wounded Warrior Project. I have applied for SNAP but single rate does not allot for much.
I am in dire straights. My income is now $713/mo. The last day that I can stay in my apartment is January 31, 2015. I am behind 1 month on utilities, 2 months behind on my phone and rotating paying revolving debt every other month so as not to completely wipe out my credit score, but it does not look good.
So what now? A very gracious, trusted friend and mentor has offered a safe, therapeutic enviornment for me to titrate off all medication and start from square one. She lives in Savannah Texas and I just need to get there. If I can just get flush with my debtors I can live on what I receive in disability compensation. The amount above encompasses expenses for gas, phone, insurance, subsistance, and vehicle maintenance only. I will find other avenues to appease creditors.
I have wrestled with setting this up. I am the type of person that would always go without if it meant others would not sacrifice. I know that people have lives, homes, families, that require strict budgets. I intend on returning every penny given, if allowed, when I am able to. If given anonymously then I will pay every cent received forward. That is the only way I can bring myself to set any of this in motion.
I'm a little beside myself, because this is my last resort. Please believe that I have exhausted all other avenues prior to this. I was practically forced (lol thanks Alyssa) but also reminded that I am not asking random people. I'm asking fAMMOly.
In October of 2008, while serving this great country, I experienced a series of traumatic events in Iraq that left me with a Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These events were so severe, that I did not speak of them until I sought treatment for depression in October 2012. Since then I have been under the care of the Fargo VA heath system. I was diagnosed with PTSD, and TBI, and a disability claim was opened and completed to where I received 50% disability rating. During this time, I entered myself in a weekly, PTSD specialized therapeutic program at the Fargo Vet Center to facilitate recovery. I also enrolled in Minnesota State University Moorhead as a full time student accepted into the Bachelor’s of Social Work degree program dedicating my focus to veterans in need.
I excelled in my schoolwork, and because I was receiving compensation from the VA, and GI Bill/Vocational Rehab stipend, I could afford to live on my own and even pay down remaining debt from my recent divorce.
In December 2013, everything changed. While seeing a neurologist at the VA for migraines, I was put on a pharmaceutical combination that subsequently caused me to develop Serotonin Syndrome (possibly lethal). I was admitted into the hospital for 1 night. The VA evaluated my medication list and found several medications that I was on that were incompatible. The side effects of this medication change are still present within me today and have continued to worsen over the course of this year.
I had no choice but to withdraw from the classes that I was failing (due to exacerbated symptoms caused by this medication change). The VA sent a letter of recoup for the money that was paid to the school. I appealed immediately for a waiver citing financial hardship, as I was no longer receiving GI Bill stipend. I was denied and with very little notice, $1500 was recouped over the span of 2 months. I immediately applied for a job at The Dorothy Day House of Hospitality (men’s homeless shelter). I was awarded a job as a service coordinator and with this part time position I was meeting my financial responsibilities. During this time I was experiencing gradual worsening of all of my PTSD/TBI symptoms affecting memory, cognition, and more frequent/intense migraine headaches rendering me unable to leave my bed on severe days.
This not only affected my duties as a service coordinator, but literally being at work for 8 hours a day (part-time) was completely overwhelming, and near-constant triggering of traumatic memories. With much sadness, I had to resign my position as service coordinator as I could no longer perform my duties satisfactorily. During this time, I also had to withdraw from my classes again at MSUM due to my lack of cognition, memory, and understanding.
In September 2014, it was discovered that my medication appeared to no longer be working. I was put on another medication to boost the current med. This change proved to be the worst yet, as I am now experiencing the most severe PTSD/TBI symptoms that I have ever experienced. It was found by my psychiatrist at the Fargo VA that I am completely unable to do any work, or school indefinitely.
With the lack of a job, or GI Bill/Vocational Rehab Stipend, I am imminently homeless. I have applied for federal SSI/SSA (denied), Unemployment due to disability (denied), the VA is sending another round of recoup (appealed waiting decision) which will again, leave me with no income. I have reopened my disability claim with the VA (6-8 months turn around). The American Legion has submitted a request for expedition of my claim. I do not meet guidelines for Operation Homefront, Salute Heroes, or Operation Family Fund which I have been referred to by Wounded Warrior Project. I have applied for SNAP but single rate does not allot for much.
I am in dire straights. My income is now $713/mo. The last day that I can stay in my apartment is January 31, 2015. I am behind 1 month on utilities, 2 months behind on my phone and rotating paying revolving debt every other month so as not to completely wipe out my credit score, but it does not look good.
So what now? A very gracious, trusted friend and mentor has offered a safe, therapeutic enviornment for me to titrate off all medication and start from square one. She lives in Savannah Texas and I just need to get there. If I can just get flush with my debtors I can live on what I receive in disability compensation. The amount above encompasses expenses for gas, phone, insurance, subsistance, and vehicle maintenance only. I will find other avenues to appease creditors.
I have wrestled with setting this up. I am the type of person that would always go without if it meant others would not sacrifice. I know that people have lives, homes, families, that require strict budgets. I intend on returning every penny given, if allowed, when I am able to. If given anonymously then I will pay every cent received forward. That is the only way I can bring myself to set any of this in motion.
I'm a little beside myself, because this is my last resort. Please believe that I have exhausted all other avenues prior to this. I was practically forced (lol thanks Alyssa) but also reminded that I am not asking random people. I'm asking fAMMOly.
Organizer
Brandy Beans
Organizer
Moorhead, MN