WELLNESS BULLETIN

Summer 2024

Hello, summer! Welcome back sunshine, fireworks, flags, and fun!

This season of warmth is a perfect time to soak up the sun and enjoy some outdoor activities with family and friends. It's also a great opportunity to take charge of promoting our own good health and welfare.

Here at The Fund, we consider the well-being of our service members, veterans, and military families to be critical. As you take time to enjoy the weather, we'd like to stress the importance of sun safety and to remind you of the many resources available to you that can help to provide peace of mind. We invite you to embrace the beauty of nature, take time to care for yourself, and find inspiration from others.

Inside This Issue

Self-Care Highlight: Sun Safety
Your Support Team: Traveling Veterans Coordinator
Coming Up This Season: PTS Awareness
Kids Health Highlight: Screen-Free Activities
Kids Corner
Program Highlight: Peter Murphy Sports Program Team Semper Fi
Announcements
Past Issues of Your Wellness Bulletin
Additional Resources and More!

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SELF-CARE HIGHLIGHT

Sun Safety

With summer activities filling up everyone's calendar it’s important to stay safe in the sun! According to the CDC, the sun's UV rays can damage your skin in just 15 minutes. Make sure you protect yourself and your loved ones!

Tips for Sun Safety:

Check NOAA’s UV Index forecast to time your exposure.
Wear protective clothing and hats.
Apply and reapply SPF 30 or greater broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Stay in the shade as much as possible.
Wear sunglasses.
Drink water to stay hydrated.

Click here to get tips from the EPA about sun safety.

YOUR SUPPORT TEAM

Traveling Veterans Coordinator

If you plan on traveling or relocating this year, a little planning can ensure that the VA will be with you every mile of the way.

A Traveling Veteran Coordinator makes sure that your care is coordinated (per your provider’s request) through the Traveling/Relocating Veteran Consult. This consult helps register you at the new VA and provides a handoff to your new facility.

The Traveling Veteran Coordinators at both sites will work to ensure your care needs are ordered locally and that scheduling occurs in a timely manner. Notifying your healthcare team 4-6 weeks before travel is highly recommended to ensure seamless care, particularly if you need medication refills or regular medical appointments.

Resources for Traveling Veterans

Use of Secure Messaging within the My HealtheVet (va.gov) portal is an easy way for traveling veterans to access care from their assigned VA healthcare team.
Need emergency care while traveling? Be ready for anything and learn about VA’s emergency medical care program.
Veterans are encouraged to contact the Foreign Medical Program when traveling outside of the U.S. and U.S territories.
Don’t forget to update your address on file if your mailing address is changing. Updates can be done on VA.gov.

Click here for more information on seamless care for traveling Veterans.

COMING UP THIS SEASON

Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) Awareness

Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) is a mental health condition that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-altering or life-threatening event such as combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault.

It's normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or experience trouble sleeping after a traumatic event. At first, it may be challenging to feel like returning to normal daily activities, going to work or school, or even spending time with those you care about. Most people may start to feel better after a few weeks or months, but if it’s been longer than a few months and you're still having symptoms, you may have PTS.

For some, PTS symptoms may be delayed, start later, be related to an activity or stimulus, or come and go over time. PTS can be treated, and there are a variety of treatment options.

Typical Responses to Stressful Situations

IMPORTANT: If any of these symptoms persist for several months, you may have PTS. Speak to your medical team to discuss concerns of PTS.

KIDS HEALTH HIGHLIGHT

Screen-Free Activities

Summer is an exciting time for kids: no school, no homework, nicer weather, and plenty of rest and relaxation. Sometimes that extra time is filled with technology and lots of staring at screens. Here are some ideas for how to keep kids occupied and happy - and away from their computers, iPads, tablets, video games, televisions, and smartphones.

Parks: Look up parks in your area and try one you've never been to before.
Picnic: Pack lunch and eat outside.
Library: Summer reading lists and different events may be hosted at your local library.
Community Pool: Sign up for swim lessons, swim team, or open swim at local pools.
Bike Ride/ Skate Park: Check out a new trail, ride around the local parks, or try the jumps at a skate park.
Hiking: Spend some time exploring nature and seeing new places you can't see from the road.
Camping: If you don’t have time to go somewhere, you can set up the tent and have a camp out in the backyard.
Indoor Play Places: A trampoline park is one popular example of an active indoor activity.
Day Camp: Search your local parks and recreation resources for possible day camps.
Sports Camp: Search local parks and recreation resources and the websites for professional, minor-league, and college sports teams for summer sports camps.
STEM Camps: Search local parks and recreation resources for science-based camps in your area.

KIDS CORNER

Making memories and breaking up a typical at-home routine can be fun!

Here are some ideas for activities to do at home.

Click each image for more information and directions.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

Peter Murphy Sports Program

Team Semper Fi

Named in honor of the late Peter Michael Murphy, this program provides:

Professional instruction and clinics from former and current Olympic and Paralympic athletes
Adaptive equipment
Mentorship
Coaching
Entry fees
Travel expenses
Physical outlets through activities

Activities include,

but are not limited to:

Cycling
Mountain biking
Snow sports
Water sports
Triathlon
Fishing
Team sports

Who Can Be On the Team?

The team is made up of service men and women of all abilities who have overcome significant challenges in their service to our country and who have embraced the athletic spirit on their road to recovery. Service members dealing with life-changing injuries, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress, or critical illness are encouraged to join a Semper Fi & America’s Fund sports program.

Are You Interested In Joining the Team?

If you're interested in joining Team Semper Fi, please talk to your Case Manager and they will provide more details.

SEASONAL RECIPE

Nice Cream

Click here to get the recipe.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“There’s a reason why your windshield is 100 times bigger than your rearview mirror. The past is behind you by design. Look where you want to go. And look back… but don’t stare. You’re welcome!”

-Joesph McClendon III

ANNOUNCEMENTS

VA Clothing Allowance

If your clothing has been damaged by your prosthetic or orthopedic device (such as a wheelchair) or by the medicine you’re taking for a skin condition, you may be able to get money each year to help you buy new clothes.

To get an annual payment, or if you want to apply for an additional clothing allowance, you’ll need to qualify by Aug. 1 of that year. The VA collects applications throughout the year and holds them until the Aug. 1 closing date. If you qualify, you’ll receive your payment between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31.

Click here for more information about the clothing allowance.

National Park Pass

While traveling, take advantage of the United States’ 400+ National Parks. Disabled veterans are eligible for a free National Park Service Lifetime Access Pass.

Enjoy 25% Off

To celebrate Military Appreciation Week, our friends at Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, and Moores are offering our Fund Family a discount on their next in-store purchase!

From June 29 - July 6, present the coupons with a valid ID showing active duty or veteran status for 25% off at checkout.

Be sure to share a photo of you wearing your new suit on social media and tag us!

Click here to claim your coupons.