Sgt. Eddie Ryan

Could your parents afford to pay for your needed therapy - after a Traumatic Brain Injury - on $108.00 a month?

This post isn't intended to cast a poor light on the Doctors and Nuses who tend our wounded. This post is to help shed some light on something that is mostly kept in the dark. The aftercare and therapy that is not happening when Dr's hands are tied. The VA does what it can on the level of the Dr's and Nurses. How can we help change this? Below is the chart that shows how our men and women are compensated after they get out of the Military due to an injury related release. Did you know that they are releasing TBI (traumatic brain injuries) with little to ZERO follow up care/therapy. Then so many of them are only qualifying for 10% disability? The politicians need to step up and do something with the funding. Please, let your local and State Politicians know, this type of aftercare is unacceptable.

Disability Compensation
Contact your Veterans Service representative or VA Seamless Transition program representative to calculate your service-connected disability compensation. There are a number of factors that affect the amount of compensation you receive, i.e. injuries, number of dependents, years of service, etc. The charts below provide a sample calculation.
Compensation for Service Connected Disability (VA)
Monthly Rates of Compensation
Effective Dec. 1, 2004
10%........................................
Veteran Alone $108

With Spouse & Child $108
20%........................................
Veteran Alone $210

With Spouse & Child $210
30%........................................
Veteran Alone $324

With Spouse & Child $391
40%........................................
Veteran Alone $466

With Spouse & Child $555
50%........................................
Veteran Alone $663

With Spouse & Child $775
60%........................................
Veteran Alone $839

With Spouse & Child $973
70%........................................
Veteran Alone $1,056

With Spouse & Child $1212
80%........................................
Veteran Alone $1,227

With Spouse & Child $1406
90%........................................
Veteran Alone $1,380

With Spouse & Child $1581
100%......................................
Veteran Alone $2,299

With Spouse & Child $2523
* There are additional amounts of compensation available for veterans based on the type of injury sustained. Additionally, Marines whose service rated disabilities are rated at 30% or more may be entitled to additional compensation.VA Compensation Rate Table
Calculating Disability Retirement Pay

E-3 with over 3 years of Service and 40% Disability
E-5 with over 6 years of Service and 40% Disability
Two Methods - Select whichever is most favorable to you

Length of Service Method Basic Pay x 2.5% (0.025) x Years of service

$1641.00
x 2.5%
x 3
------------
$123.07/month


$2205.30
x 2.5%
x 6
------------
$330.79/month

Percent-disability method Basic-Pay x Percent Disability

$1641.00
x 40%
------------
$656.40/month


$2205.30
x 40%
------------
$882.12/month

Severance Pay = Base Pay X Yrs of Svc X 2
$9846.00
$26,463.60
Note: Figures calculated using average of "high-three" basic pay. Assumptions are that the Sgt was a Cpl in 2003 and Lcpl was a PFC in 2003. Each disability retirement will be accompanied by a line-of-duty investigation. If the disability is not due to your intentional misconduct or willful neglect, and if it was not incurred while AWOL, then you are entitled to disability severance pay in the amount of two month's basic pay per year of service to a maximum of twelve years.

I Have Been Cheating

Yes. I have been cheating and I am sorry.

I have been cheating on my posts. Craziness is exactly what it has been here for a while now. My J.O.B. is taking more time along with all of the social events, Tri's, etc going on - craziness. So, I have been shortchanging all of you on my posts. Sorry, but posting with lots of photos has been a quick way to let you all in on the goings ons around here. Cheating. I know. Sorry.

In addition, because of my short amount of time, I have been skimping on the comment love. I am still reading everyone's posts but I find myself clicking on the next because I am always so pressed for time. I am still stopping in to see everyone as I always have but have been skipping the comment love. Cheating. I know. Once again, I am sorry. Truly. Bear with me through my busy season and I'll be back in full swing.

This is a sample of what I do for a living. This home was a newly built home. The clients moved here from Chicago. They had no furniture at all for their home. So, I came in and created this -

This is a "during" shot. This client ordered the sofa and decided she loved the Tiger pattern so much, she wanted more. So, I painted the pattern onto the face of her kitchen bar.

And in her art "niche"

For those of you who have asked -There is a tiny peek into what I do for a living. I do it all. Custom furnishings, draperies, bedding, carpets, floors, faux finishes, you name it. Right now I am about to install a beautiful copper ceiling in a home that is being built. It will be so stunning. Stunning.

Right now, in my world, everyone loves me. They don't love me because I am charming and beautiful. Well...maybe that's it....yeah, it probably is, but in reality, they love me because I make their homes beautiful. Just in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Right. ( I am laughing very hard out loud right now)

If it was to be done before the Holidays, they should have started in July. Swear. Custom upholstery, drapes, bedding, it all takes time. These days, more time than before. You see, in the effort to meet Americans' desire for nice look for little price, everyone has gone overseas for their product. So, those fabrics that used to be milled in North and South Carolina no longer exist. The mills are all closed down and the fabrics are now coming from China. This means, lots and lots of wait time if the fabric isn't in stock. Well, no one ever picks a fabric that is in stock. Trust me. So, custom is defined as: Wait. Period. Please. Don't shoot the messenger.

Okay, enough of my bitch session. With all of that said, I am still insanely busy. I like it that way. My days are not so easy and they are very long more often than not. But, I really do like it this way. So, please forgive me if i cheat a little for a bit on my posts. Please?

We partied at the Bigun house this past weekend. It really was a fun filled evening. I felt like the Bride again. The house was full and I barely got to spend time with anyone person for more than 5 minutes at a time. ExcelMan and Green Eyed Lady joined in the festivities along with 20 other people. My life is so full of beautiful people. I truly have wonderful friends. TriFeist came over for a bit. It was so much fun to meet her. I feel guilty that I didn't spend more time learning about her. I have no doubt we'll see her again. Her Hubby was working so she was flying solo. I smell a dinner coming on...

In addition to work and regular home things I have been working on various projects in my home too. My walls have been painted and repainted more than once in more than one room. The Guest suite is almost done. I have to finish putting the bed together. I had the bed frame in there but now have a beautiful carved black poster head board and foot board to add. The delivery guys forgot to leave the rails, so the bed is not put up yet.

Finally finished painting the hall bath - it is metallic gold. LOVE it. It looks fabulous with the red curtains in there. In addition to that I redid our bedroom too. Bigun recovered the headboard a while ago and i finally put the new bedding on the bed. It's red, mingled with gold and bronze. The bedding. It looks so gorgeous with the red sofa in there. Stunning. I still have to finish the venetian plaster in there and the painting. It'll happen, just don't know when. I am also building some built-in bookcases in the office. The painting is done and the desk and credenza are in but the book cases are only about 1/3 of the way finished. I'll finish them in between putting the final layer of glaze on my Dining room walls. Are you seeing a trend here yet? Many projects, little time and millions of ideas... that's me. Oh. I work too. Cook often. Take care of the dogs, try to keep up with the house ( not always successfully either), work in laundry every now and then as well. Thank the Lord I don't have children too. I would be three stories up at the asylum. How you women with kids do it, I'll never know. My hat is off to you all.

Oh. I almost forgot. I read too. I read a lot. It's my get away. My sanctuary. Books. I love them. I love the way the ink smells on the pages when you crack that book for the first time. If I fall asleep with ink smudged fingers at night, I feel good. I just finished a couple of books. One in particular,

"In an Instant" . Bob and Lee Woodruff.

Editorial Reviews
Book Description

In one of the most anticipated books of the year, Lee Woodruff, along with her husband, Bob Woodruff, share their never-before-told story of romance, resilience, and survival following the tragedy that transformed their lives and gripped a nation.

In January 2006, the Woodruffs seemed to have it all–a happy marriage and four beautiful children. Lee was a public relations executive and Bob had just been named co-anchor of ABC’s World News Tonight. Then, while Bob was embedded with the military in Iraq, an improvised explosive device went off near the tank he was riding in. He and his cameraman, Doug Vogt, were hit, and Bob suffered a traumatic brain injury that nearly killed him.In an Instant is the frank and compelling account of how Bob and Lee’s lives came together, were blown apart, and then were miraculously put together again–and how they persevered, with grit but also with humor, through intense trauma and fear.

Here are Lee’s heartfelt memories of their courtship, their travels as Bob left a law practice behind and pursued his news career and Lee her freelance business, the glorious births of her children and the challenges of motherhood.Bob in turn recalls the moment he caught the journalism “bug” while covering Tiananmen Square for CBS News, his love of overseas assignments and his guilt about long separations from his family, and his pride at attaining the brass ring of television news–being chosen to fill the seat of the late Peter Jennings.

And, for the first time, the Woodruffs reveal the agonizing details of Bob’s terrible injuries and his remarkable recovery. We learn that Bob’s return home was not an end to the journey but the first step into a future they have learned not to fear but to be grateful for.In an Instant is much more than the dual memoir of love and courage. It is an important, wise, and inspiring guide to coping with tragedy–and an extraordinary drama of marriage, family, war, and nation.A percentage of the proceeds from this book will be donated to the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury.

Please read this book. It brings to light a serious issue facing our nation, it's soldiers, it's families. People may not agree on the war in Iraq and they may not agree with why we are there or the policies of our leaders. It doesn't matter. Our men and women are still there. Support them. Supporting our soldiers is what matters. Freedom isn't free and the men and women who are there, in Iraq, they know this. Does your personal freedom depend on the war in Iraq? I don't know. I won't presume to guess either. What I do know is that a tyrant who murdered his people and tortured many more is now gone. Our men and women are there to help the ones left behind in the debris.They are there to help them put their lives back together. To gain their freedom. The daily struggles they face, both our soldiers and Iraq's citizens, will be a long and hard road.

I did not want to turn this into a "heavy" post, but I am compelled to say this-

Our men and women who are returning home with missing limbs, post traumatic stress disorders, brain injuries, and more, they need our help. They need OUR help. What can you do?

Sgt. Gonzalez from Alpha Company of 1/38 Infantry Regiment patrols Baqubah, Iraq, on Oct. 3.
ALEXANDER NEMENOV / AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Mr Flexeril is my new best friend

Forgive me fellow Bloggers. It has been 11 days since my last post.

It has been crazy around here. Lots of things have been going on in the Bigun Household. As most of you probably already know I missed Biguns "Shamrock 10k". Due to a flare up of pain in my neck from 3 herniated disks. I just couldn't get out of bed. Miserable is an understatement. Unbearable for other people is a little more accurate. I needed to spare any and all who may have come in to contact with my irritable, pain inflicted, un-charming personality. Yes, I too can be a leetle bitchy at times.

Thankfully for all of those who know me, my Doc had prescribed Flexeril and Oxycodone for "those really bad days". Admittedly, Without Mr. Flexeril, I don't think I could have managed. I try to avoid adding drugs to my system. Taking Tylenol is a big deal to me. Last weekend though, Di's drug induced stupor was best for everyone.

Enough about that. I am feeling worlds better and moved rapidly through the rest of the week to Wednesday. An old friend of mine, Lisa, and her two teenage daughters from North Carolina came to visit.

When my girlfriend Lisa was pregnant almost 18 years ago with her oldest daughter I was there. She had a real schmuck for a husband who walked out on her and her soon to be new baby girl ( best thing that could have happened to her then). Lisa was only 2 months pregnant. So, as friends do, we shared her pregnancy. She had a tough go of it towards the end and was restricted to "bed rest". I don't think she ever really obeyed the whole bedrest thing. So, to keep her in a state of "rest" so to speak, we watched Topgun. Over and over and over. I watched Topgun more times during her pregnancy than I ever dare admit. I still cannot watch Topgun without remembering sitting on the floor of her apartment rubbing her belly while we watched Val Kilmer flaunt his awesomely HAWT bod. Sick. We ate a lot of popcorn too. I no longer eat popcorn. I do still drool over Val Kilmer though. Love a man with a flat top in a uniform. Too hot.

Lets not forget, he was hot in The Doors....... oh and he is definitely the BEST Doc Holliday the silver screen has ever had....remember that scene where he twirls his tin cup? Hot. Oh and lets not forget "I'm your Huckleberry" SO.HOT. He can be my Huckleberry...Wait, this post isn't about Val. WTH am I doing?

So, let me finish the story I was originally telling....

It didn't take Lisa long to meet a really great guy who loved her and her beautiful daughter. They married and share another amazing and beautiful daughter who is now 15. Bigun and I had a house filled with the chattering, bickering, laughing, wonderful voices of the 17 and 15 year old girls for the last 3 days. On top of that, I don't think Lisa and I ever stopped talking either. Bigun was inundated with women. Ouch.

Thursday night I had to leave the 3 girls to their own devices. The girls shopped, Bigun and I attended the annual West Point Founder's Day Dinner. It had been 6 years passed since we attended one of these dinners. I enjoy getting together with everyone and meeting new people. Bigun would rather have his teeth pulled. The dinner was really nice. We had a delicious meal. Talked with people we hadn't seen in a while and made new acquaintances with people we'll be seeing again soon. Right around dessert The Commandant of West Point stepped up to the podium. I expected to be bored out of my mind. Truly, I did. Been there. Done that. To my surprise, boredom would least describe my experience. Not only was General Hagenbeck personable and interesting. He came across as genuinely driven in the task of making West Point the best it can be. The programs they have introduced and the opportunities they are offering to the future leaders of our Military and our country are astounding.
For those of you who don't know, I grew up in a military family. I married a military man. Although Bigun and I are now civilians, my friends- lifelong friends - are Army and Army wives.(beat navy) My life doesn't revolve around the military but the military is an intrinsic part of who I am. I am proud of and hold my head up high to that fact. The USMA , West Point, understands that the future of our Country and it's freedom rests on the indelible fact that we will need strong leaders. They have stepped up to the plate and plan on holding themselves accountable to the future of the United States of America and it's Citizens - Americans. You. And me. The faces in this photo ARE our future protectors.

Making a political statement on my blog is not my intention. I don't wish to rial anyone's feathers. If what I am about to say causes anyone to stop reading my blog - so be it. This I must say - I agree with John McCain on something very important. McCain does want to see an end to this war. We all do. Our men and women are dying at the hands of cowards who fight behind women, children and car bombs. This is not something I want to see continue. Like John McCain, I believe that if we do not "win" this war before we leave Iraq and Afghanistan, we WILL be fighting a war of terror on our own soil. These cowards will come to our country in droves and kill as many of our citizens as they can. The death of America and her Citizens is their life mission. The Terrorists believe in their mission to abolish Americans, our government, our lives. This will be the difference if we leave now without a true "win" over terror. You won't know who the terrorist is until they kill you or someone you love. These cowards will not be walking through our streets in uniforms with weapons slung over their shoulders. They are NOT soldiers. They are NOT brave. They'll be hiding in the shadows and will strike when we aren't looking. They'll shoot us when our backs are turned. They'll bomb our places of business and our schools. They'll kills thousands more men, women and children who have no fight with the terrorists or their religious beliefs. They WILL kill Americans who are just living their daily lives. Hoping for a peaceful night of sleep will be the farthest from your worries.

I will not apologize for what I believe. My point is - the Founders Day Dinner boosted my hope in the future of our Country and the men and women who will be it's future leaders. I'm proud to be affiliated with such an outstanding Institution. I am proud of being an American and I am proud of the men and women who are putting their lives on the line for us every moment of every day.
On a lighter note- we came home from Thursdays dinner to my girlfriend and her daughters. Bigun had to hit the sack. I on the other hand climbed into the Minivan with Lisa and the girls for a midnight run to Steak and Shake. LOL I can't remember the last time I went out for a midnight run ( in my nightgown and sweat shirt) for a shake. All of us were in our jammies. What a sight for the poor fellow at the drive thru!! We had so much fun this weekend. We ran the gamut of rollercoasters at Busch gardens on Friday. Shopped, literally, til we dropped on Saturday. Enjoyed a great dinner last night and a friend of Lisa's family, Adam, came over from Orlando to join us. Adam is smitten for Lauren, the 17 year old. There is no doubt, Lauren feels the same about Adam. This is his first year at College and I have no doubt you will all see his name one day with the likes of Sam Raimi and Steven Spielberg. He is a motivated young film student with the brains and work ethic to get where he wants to go. He is such a nice, genuine young man. I can see why Lauren adores him.

Alex, the 15 year old is boy crazy. Surprisingly she didn't suffer any whiplash this weekend. I was certain that as much as she spun her pretty little head to check out the "hotties" she would need a neck brace by Sunday. They are both amazing young women. Lauren is soft spoken, easy going and sees the beauty in everything. Alex is as saucy and strong willed as her Mother and is full of ideas for her future.

The girls left this morning to drive back to NC. 10 minutes out the door and I was already missing them. I kept hoping Lisa would turn around and come back for today and leave tomorrow morning. It didn't happen. That shit only happens in the movies. The rest of us real people, we know we have to work on Monday. WTF?

Now. This week Bigun's Mom is coming down for a visit and will be joining us in the fun and festivities of Bigun's 43rd birthday party this coming Saturday. The house is a wreck. It was a wreck before the girls all arrived. They didn't mind that fact at all. Bigun and I have to motor to get the house in shape for the party. In addition to working, daily activities, Bigun training, we have to put the dining room back together, wash laundry, move furniture, and try to get in some sleep.

Talk to you again in another 11 days!!!