Advocating for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury
Advocating for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury
Resurrecting Lives Foundation is a national nonprofit organization focused on preventing suicides among U.S. service members and veterans by raising awareness of and advocating treatment for undiagnosed or untreated cases of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The foundation connects veterans and their families to resources within their communities to provide health care, education, and employment so that our veterans can have a future after military life.
THIS IS SO ALARMING!
Over 34,000 deaths by suicide in our Veterans from the Global War on Terror - compared to 7100 deaths from combat - And that number is growing - Soon, there will be over 5 times as many Veterans who die by suicide, as opposed to combat - That is a somber statistic that I'm asking all of us to contemplate during September, National Suicide Prevention Month. WE ALL must bridge this military/civilian gap where less than 1% of our nation serves and the other 99% of us, although thanking them for their service, are clueless or reluctant to get involved in those very difficult situations where life and death are literally at stake - SO PLEASE KEEP READING - This is vital information for the 99% of us who can positively affect a Veterans future - and the future of their families - which will ultimately strengthen our nation.
Please note an applicable observation by South African Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu:
“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.”
This is where I feel we are at, no, let me rephrase that comment
THAT IS WHERE we have BEEN - for nearly 20 years - and it needs to end NOW!
Thomas Joiner, PhD, expert and author in the field of Suicide mentions in his noted book - Why People Die By Suicide - that three factors are present in this most final act:
1. A desire to take one's own life
2. An ability to take one's own life
3. A feeling of being a burden
And we all need to swim upstream and EASE the BURDEN on our returning military members and their families; not just to welcome our Veterans home by lip service, but by demonstrating our own SERVICE to them.
Health Care Providers– Diagnose and treat Traumatic Brain Injuries, the signature wound of the Global War on Terror. These horrific numbers reveal that far too many Veterans have no diagnosis, much less a treatment for brain injuries in training and combat. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a chemical brain disturbance where holistic measures often can be utilized to call the brain; soothe the soul; and heal the spirit.
Educators – Open your doors - colleges; universities; trade, and Fuel our Veterans’ passions for life and success and open the doors to their future
Employers – do not just hire Veterans – EMPLOY them; TRAIN them to become the valued members of your team for which they are destined to lead - They are, at their core, team players – Willing to give their lives for their last employer – SO go the extra mile for them – They offered their lives for you.
Citizens – Embrace them and their families in your churches; your community activities; your societies and civic associations – Bring them into your daily life. Encourage new missions such as food security and sustainability – a passion that is consistent with their innate desire to better humanity.
We can all do this together - WE MUST ALL DO THIS TOGETHER -
So jump in the water head first and begin swimming upstream - If you start to falter in your strokes – fear not - Veterans will be there to save you - Will you be there for them?
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7/29/2024 - Our suicide prevention campaign has launched. USAF vet and retired firefighter Patrick Romeo rides 10,000 miles from Florida to Alaska on bike 988 (suicide hotline). He partnered with Resurrecting Lives to raise awareness. Watch the News Nation video with Marni Hughes, Patrick Romeo, and Dr. Chrisanne Gordon."
9/2/2024 - USAF vet and retired firefighter Patrick Romeo finished his 10,000 miles ride from Florida to Alaska on bike 988 (suicide hotline). He partnered with Resurrecting Lives to raise awareness. Watch the News Nation video with Marni Hughes, Patrick Romeo, and Dr. Chrisanne Gordon."
In his transcontinental 10,000-mile Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge to raise awareness and funds for Veterans' suicide prevention.
My name is Patrick Romeo, returning rider 988. In July of 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's 10-digit number was replaced with the roll-out of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Knowing 22 veterans die by suicide daily in the United States and that the VA estimates veteran suicides at slightly more than 1.5 times higher than that of non-veterans (even higher for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Veterans), the fact that the new three-digit phone number and my rider were both 988 seemed more than coincidence. It was too late to enter the 2022 Hoka Hey, so I called Dr. Gordon (Founder of Resurrecting Lives Foundation) to inform her of the 988 connection and that I was once again riding the Hoka Hey in 2024. So, while I will be once again riding for the Resurrecting Lives Foundation and our Veterans, our focus this year will be on Veteran suicides and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline.
Our goal is to raise awareness of Veteran Suicides.
Ways To Help:
Our Donation Challenge Pledge for 10,000- mile Journey:
$10.00/mile pledged =$100,000 (Corporate Challenge)
$1.00/mile pledged = $10,000
$.10/mile pledged = $1,000
$.01/mile = $100
*Our Goal is to raise $50,000*
You can also "Send A Light" - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
*Our Goal is to send 2,000 lights*
Veterans Crisis Line is a Confidential Crisis Support for Veterans and their loved ones.
Contact the Veterans Crisis Line 24/7, 365 days a year: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online, or text 838255.
The Veterans Crisis Line serves Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them. Call 911 in life-threatening situations.
Resurrecting Lives Foundation advocates for veterans with Traumatic Brain Inquiries (TBI) within their local communities, assisting their local hospitals and clinics to provide services and support to families and friends who are helping these young men and women move forward.
We actively partner with other established 501(c)(3) organizations to coordinate programs and resources such as providing job training, career opportunities and other services to TBI veterans following their treatment and during their ongoing recovery.
Resurrecting Lives Foundation is planning events in Columbus, OH, San Diego, CA, and Washington, DC, to raise awareness of brain health issues that contribute to veteran suicides, such as Traumatic Brain Injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The foundation enjoys a Platinum Rating by the GuideStar Foundation, with 90 cents of every dollar being spent directly on veterans. Support our advocacy with a tax-deductible gift today.
Write to your lawmakers & request better health care, employment opportunities, & education for veterans.
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