The Broken Soldier

Tonight I received an email from CPT Gunnar Kiersey.  Attached was a letter authorizing treatment for five physical therapy visits at the same physical therapy clinic at which I’ve already received care (as part of my already approved 12 physical therapy visits).  That one I could accept.  The Army is horrible at communicating information.  I guess typing memos and articulating complex ideas is tough when you’re accustomed to communication through grunting and pointing and pitching feces.  The second attachment was less funny.

I’m supposed to travel to Fort Knox, KY, close to 1,000 miles roundtrip from my home, to get an X-ray for an injury for which I already have an MRI (and confirmation from no less than four separate medical professionals that my symptoms correspond perfectly with the results of that MRI).  I am to take a plane, rent a car, and travel from the airport to Fort Knox, approximately 40 miles.  My unit, State Health Services, and the Adjutant General’s Office know that sitting upright, as one does when either driving or sitting in Couch, let alone walking distances or carrying baggage, exacerbate my neurological symptoms.  Symptoms that include those of a humiliating nature like bowel and urinary incontinence, to those of a dangerous nature like losing feeling and motor control in my right leg (the leg I use when driving to press on the gas/brake pedals).

This is standard operating procedure if you’re an asshole.  If you tend not to think of human beings you outrank as persons with feelings and moral/legal standing.  To the Guard and the Army my concerns, inconveniences, and the very real harm and danger this unnecessary trip creates aren’t relevant.  I’m like a roll of toilet paper or a screwdriver or a pack of Whiteout to them.  A commodity to ship from here to there if defective.  Well my friends, the Army and the Guard are in for a rude awakening.  This commodity can harm them and their negligently sadistic way of doing things.  This commodity has a 5 Z-score on the WAIS.  This commodity has a triple degree from a tier one school.  This commodity has friends in high places.  This commodity has already shared his story with the media in front of a live audience.  This commodity has the ear of a senior member of Senate Judiciary Committee, and  a pledge from a popular (with the 17-35 demographic) international broadcast media group and an equally popular international magazine to promote, coordinate, and fund a benefits concert to pay for the medical care the Army and the Guard won’t - and to broadcast/write up a full account, naming names, of my experiences.

I’ve given them full warning.  I’ve given them every opportunity to do the right thing.  I’ve made my intentions to take this as far as I am able to, as of yesterday, even if that means harming them and their recruiting (which, as this media group and magazine are popular with military recruit-aged demographics will happen).  Some people can’t do what’s right without punishment.  Usually really dumb people.  There’s no shortage of dumb people in the Army.  The mistake they made was in thinking (using that term in its loosest possible construal) I’m dumb and impotent like they are.  If it takes a skull crack and abolishment of Feres to realize this error and to make them fly straight, so be it.