Returning Wars' Wounded, Injured, and Ill

Book excerpt: Thousands of American service members are returning from their tours of duty with physical and/or psychological disabilities. Many—if not most—of these service members will need at least some assistance to adapt to their disabilities and learn how to reintegrate back into civilian life. Also impacted will be the spouse, friends, employers, family members, counselors, and community members of each veteran with a disability. The veterans may not be aware of the ways in which their disabilities are impacting them, nor knowledgeable about the resources available to help them cope. In addition, many such individuals feel isolated and reluctant to acknowledge their difficulties or ask for assistance. The volume compiles and summarizes the information disabled veterans and those with whom they interact will be interested in knowing and using. It describes how disabilities can impact an individual physically, psychologically, and spiritually. It also provides a context of these disabilities to reassure the readers that they are not alone in the thoughts, feelings, and pain, and that others have experienced the same problems and found solutions. The work provides guidance on different forms of treatment that may help the veteran and includes a list of contact information for local VA centers, peer-to-peer counseling services, and other programs, services, and individuals available (frequently for free) for veterans and their families. Brief biographies of disabled veterans and case studies of the ways they reintegrated back into civilian society provide support and perspective. In addition to aiding veterans, the book will serve as a useful reference source for librarians and other information providers.