The moment that changed me happened in our office in Central Florida. I remember one Veteran who stayed behind after his evaluation, sitting on the couch in the lobby. He talked about the years he’d spent trying to manage pain and PTSD with whatever prescriptions were handed his way. What surprised him that day wasn’t the assistance with paperwork or the registration process; it was the simple fact that someone was willing to guide him through it without asking for anything in return. He talked about never feeling judged, and feeling heard for the first time, and that someone truly cared about his well-being. It was the bill he didn’t have to pay that day. The look in his eyes that said, “Why are these people being so nice to me?” is absolutely priceless, and I wish more people would get involved to experience this overwhelming sense of appreciation.
He told me he’d been saving for weeks and that he’d been putting off getting certified for months because money was tight. The bills had lined up, and whatever was left at the end of each pay period was already spoken for. By the time he came to see me, he was down to less than thirty dollars in his checking account, and the idea of adding another expense just wasn’t possible. The cost of the appointment would have wiped him out completely.
When he realized it was covered, no charge, no catch, no “veteran discount” marketing gimmick, his whole body loosened. That was the day I understood how deep this problem runs. Access isn’t just about medicine. For many veterans, it’s about dignity, survival, and the basic ability to breathe without choosing which bill won’t get paid this month.
I’ve …
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Author: Robb Harmon / High Times
