HHNetwork News
Volume 2, Issue 1 |
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| Greetings! |
I write to you once again with a grateful heart and an equal amount of excitement for the future. With Hero approvals happening every few days, 2011 is starting off on the right foot.
While our success is measured by the Heroes we treat, the reality is that we have only scratched the surface. The VA itself has estimated that it has more than one million backlogged existing claims; proof that we have a lot more work to do.
With this is mind, I am challenging you to work together in your communities. Help spread the word that our Heroes and their families need help. If we all work towards a common goal, we can ensure that when they do come home, they will get the medical care they so rightfully deserve.
This is an exciting time at HHN and I look forward to what we can accomplish for our Heroes together.
For the Troops,
Stacey Spiegel
Executive Director |
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A HERO Among Us |  Just a few days away from leave, Sgt. Joel Tavera volunteered to take another soldier's duty shift. He soon learned that his life was about to take an abrupt turn.
On March 12, 2008, inside the Tallil air base in southeastern Iraq, Sgt. Tavera's armored SUV was hit by an enemy missile, killing three soldiers. Joel was one of two who survived the blast, but we was burned, blinded and bleeding.
"The last thing I saw was a flash of blue sky, and that was it," recalls Joel.
Read More... |
| HHN Provider Spotlight | |
 Gary Welch, DPT joined the Healing Heroes Network family of providers in March 2010. Dr. Welch is the owner and clinical coordinator for Spectrum Physical Therapy in Patchogue, NY where he offers HHN patients Physical Therapy.
"I wanted to join HHN to provide the best in physical therapy care for those who sacrifice, our troops," said Welch. "I know that many of these soldiers are coming back after receiving combat injuries, and are left with significant musculoskeletal and neurological impairements."
Read More... |
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Heroes Find Hope and Healing | |
Read more about these Heroes
MSgt. Rex Bradburn began seeing an HHN Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy provider in January 2011. Rex developed Reflex Sympathetic Disorder (RSD) after undergoing surgery for an injury that occurred while he was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The pain remained strong after his surgery, causing extreme hyper-sensitivity in his neck, shoulders, both arms and down his back. Wanting something more than a life filled with pain killers, Rex began researching other options. |
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 SSG. Bryan Gansner contacted HHN in October 2010. Bryan served in Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was severely injured by an Improvised Explosive Device. He now lives with numerous injuries including a Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Bryan had tried Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy once before, and saw great results. The problem was, he needed a provider closer to home. After a quick approval process, Bryan now sees a nearby HHN provider, and is able to focus on his road to recovery. |
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SrA. Chad Chase was treated by an HHN Dentist in December of 2010. Chad contacted HHN after repeated attempts to get the dental work he needed, failed. After being deployed to Iraq in 2002, Chad developed severe PTSD, causing him to grind his teeth constantly. Due to the repeated grinding over the years, some of Chad's teeth were on the verge of falling out. That's when he heard about HHN and asked for help. Even though HHN didn't have a provider in his area, we quickly found a professional close by, and got him an appointment. |
| PTSD - Know the Facts | |
There are so many words that describe the men and women of the armed forces. They are all brave, and are all Heroes. Sometimes though, these brave warriors find themselves desperate for help. Learn to recognize the signs of PTSD, so your Hero can get help.
Many soldiers fail to ask for help because of a culture that prides itself on mental toughness. Our Heroes need to know that it is not a sign of weakness to have PTSD or other reactions to stress. In fact, getting help right away can keep more serious problems from developing. Read More... |
| The Sweet Life - An event for the chocoholic in all of us |
Giving medical treatments to deserving Heroes is sweet in and of itself, but a recent HHN event combined the sweetness of chocolate with the satisfaction of helping our Heroes. HHN packed up its stuff on Freedom Day and headed over to a local candy store called City Street Sweets to raise awareness about the help that's available to injured post-9/11 veterans.
Amidst the mouth-watering fudge, HHN's founders met with interested people, and shared how each new day brings another opportunity to heal a Hero and their family. Read More... |
| An Ancient Approach to Healing |
 Veterans face a variety of stress-inducing situations while deployed, and many of them walk away from their service still suffering from stress and anxiety, sometimes severe enough to be considered Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While prescription medications often work in reducing both anxiety and pain, many doctors and therapists often suggest complementary or alternative treatments for these problems. Many of them have proven to be quite beneficial in addressing common complaints voiced by veterans. Two of these therapies are offered to veterans through HHN. Read More...
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HHN Partner Spotlight - Pets for Patriots |
 Pets for Patriots creates unique opportunities for members of the military community to save a life by honorably adopting homeless adult dogs and cats.
Consider a service member returning from deployment, transitioning from active duty or trying to acclimate to civilian life. An honorably adopted adult shelter animal can go a long way to smoothing the transitions and stresses that are a part of military lives.
PFP is determined to make the joys of adult pet ownership achievable and affordable for the men and women of the U.S. military. |
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