Knowing Your Purpose

I know I was supposed to write about the different types of disability claims today but two things happened to me that changed my mind.  Let me start by saying I was ready to stop writing this blog.  Even though I have been only writing for three days and I have gotten quite a few page views I had begun to think that veterans issues were not what I was supposed to be writing about.  When God gave me the vision for this blog I assumed that it was just going to take off without me having to do much work.  Boy was I wrong.  I know that in order for an dream to come to fruition you have to put the work in and not give up.  That is my lesson for you all today; if you have a dream in your heart do not give up on it.  Just because things don't look as if they are going to happen in the time frame that you want them to does not mean they won't happen.  You must keep on going.

As I said above there were two things that happened to me today.  I will share them because they are a lesson to all veterans.  A young man came up to me today in Church because he needed help getting a job.  He was an 8-year Army veteran with a BA degree and no experience.  He had recently purchased a vehicle and the transmission had gone out on it right after he bought it.  He is receiving 40% disability and that is what he has been living on.  How many of you are aware that the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program will pay for auto repairs and in some cases purchase you an automobile if you have at least a 30% service connected disability?  He didn't know this either.  All the time he has been going to the VA for disability he was not aware that they also assist you in obtaining employment.  All he needs to do is go to eBenefits and apply for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits and they will set up an appointment for him, and unlike disability benefits they move much faster.

The second story occurred later today.  As I was pulling up into my driveway a church member called because she was concerned about her ex son-in-law.  He is currently in a rehab center recovering from a stroke.  They told him that he has to be out of their center no later than October 28th, even though he still cannot speak or walk very well.  He suffered a heart attack a few years ago and since then he has not taken very good care of himself.  Now his family is concerned about where he is going to go for medical care.  He is a honorably discharged veteran who has no idea that he is still eligible to receive medical benefits.  While I don't know if anyone will take him to sign up, at least they now know that they can.

I shared these two stories because in each instance someone came to me because they thought that I would be able to help them and each case I was.  Please know that everything I have learned I learned from the VA website and from personal experience.  I don't claim to know everything but I promise if you ever have a question I will do my best to get an answer for you.

Thank you for your support.  Tomorrow I will share the different types of disability claims.

TTYL!!!