THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2008
Reaching Out To Veterans
Kotowski, Alexian Unveil Program Aimed At PTSD
By TOM ROBB
Journal Reporter
A new program to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for returning veterans was unveiled at Alexian Brothers Hospital Wednesday.
State Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-33d) of Park Ridge attended. His bill helped fund the program.
Physicians at Wednesday's press conference explained that new state of the art equipment recently brought online at the hospital is helping doctors tell the difference between PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.
"The one thing we can agree on is that we need to honor our veterans in a better way," said Kotowski.
Kotowski said the Pentagon identified 40,000 veterans who have sought treatment for PTSD. He explained that some groups estimate the true number of veterans suffering the condition is closer to 300,000.
Kotowski said through technology PTSD can be detected physically and not just through psychological examination.
The hospital also announced that it received $2 million from the federal government's National Institutes of Health for its veteran's center.
The veterans' center includes drop in counseling services and works closely with Veteran's Administration staff who work at the hospital to help navigate the red tape.
Many at the press conference stressed the need to let veterans know that these resources exist. Hospital administrators said that the new programs would solve a frequent problem they see of veterans coming in once and dropping out.
Brother Daniel McCormick of the St. Alexian Order said there is a great need to help returning veterans coming back from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said his son is back in the United States after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"He brought 54 (soldiers) over and brought 54 back. Now he spends his time getting his men the help they need," said McCormick.
Kotowski helped pass legislation, now signed into law, in 2007 funding outpatient programs for returning veterans suffering PTSD and expanding skills building opportunities through the newly created Veterans Conservation Corps.
Responding to questions, Kotowski said he would fight to see that the program remains funded.
The most recent version of the state budget contains a $2 billion hole that Gov. Blagojevich has said he will fill by cutting spending through his amendatory veto.
Kotowski said he would fight to keep these and other veterans' assistance programs and was confident that on this issue the legislature would override any veto.
Blagojevich has not given any indication that the veterans' programs may be on the chopping block.
One of the newest tools at Alexian Brothers to help doctors differentiate between PTSD and traumatic brain injury is the Illinois Magnetoencephalography Center called MEG. It uses a new machine that can map brain activity charting brainwaves that show if the brain has suffered an injury. Together with other brain mapping technology Dr. Jeffrey Levine said doctors could have a clearer picture of the condition of the brain.
Kotowski also discussed other benefits for veterans including grants that can help families through financially difficult times.
Beth Byersdorf of Arlington Heights was on hand at the conference to tell her story. Her husband was in the reserves and was activated after Sept. 11, 2001 to serve at the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
She said when that happened the family's income was cut by 65%.
She said, "We refinanced our home and borrowed money from our parents."
One of Kotowski's bills would provide grants to help returning veterans fill some of those "gaps."
Many at the conference, including Kotowski said, "Government can't do it all," but said programs like this are a good start.