Cheater, Cheater, Pumpkin Eater

Yesterday I read a post from a fellow veteran that just bothered me to my core.  It was a scathing rebuke against the one of the Facebook veterans' assistance groups that I belong to.  In his post he called out the website for teaching people how to cheat the VA out of money through their disability claims.  In his view the site promoted cheating and dishonesty.  He also felt that it was rude of those individuals who have received 100% to post it.  In his eyes they were bragging and rubbing it in the faces of those who were still struggling to get their 100%.

Of course I see things totally differently.  For me these groups are great at assisting individuals with their legitimate claims.  They offer advice, assistance, and comfort to those who are struggling with their claims.  They also offer a place for those who are suffering in their pain on a daily basis to share their accomplishments.  I have read about individuals who have overcome alcoholism, as well as those who suffer from anxiety and have finally been able to leave their homes, even if it's just for a short period of time.

And to those who have the audacity to screenshot their 100% I say thank you for sharing and thank you for the encouragement.  You see, there are many of us who are still working to get where they are.  And, believe me their stories aren't fairy tales.  Many of them have fought for years to get to this point and in my humble opinion I think it is wonderful for us to be able to celebrate these milestones with them.  They give me hope that if I keep going I will eventually get what I deserve and that the pain I suffer everyday has a purpose to it.  While I don't know if I want to get to 100% because that means I'm in some way serious pain, to those who have it and deserve it, I say, "It's about time".

Now does this mean that no one is going to take advantage of the advice that is given and use it to cheat the system? Of course it doesn't.  But does this mean that just because there are some that are going to cheat the system that these types of groups should be stopped and thereby ending the resources that those of us who aren't going to cheat the system receive?  To that I say a resounding "NO".  I appreciate the time that my fellow veterans take out of their day to help me and offer suggestions that may work for me.  As a blogger I appreciate the various stories that they tell because it gives me more information to share with my readers.

To those who do cheat the system I would offer you a word of caution.  The VA is cracking down on frauds and when you are caught, the possibility of prison looms heavily.  I recently read a story about a man who cheated the VA for years.  He pretended that he was going blind and even went so far as to face his eye exams.  Now he is serving two years in Federal prison and has to pay back over $650,000.  Now I don't know about you but my freedom is priceless.

Finally, to the person who wrote the post mentioned above, whatever it is that is causing you to have such negative thoughts, I pray it is removed from you.  Facebook groups are a great resource and I'm sure the number of honest individuals in them far out way the fraudulent ones.

As always, thank you for time and support.

TTYL on Monday. - Be blessed.