Recently, I had the opportunity to present and attend a conference titled the United States Special Operations Command Warrior Care Program. The focus of the program was to look at the enduring warrior care challenges that the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration have in meeting the needs of those injured in the line of duty.
It was an honor to be part of this program and learn about the important work being done to assist the men and women of the US Military when they are wounded or diagnosed with a medical condition. As part of the program, Recovery Care Coordinators are assigned to the person and their family to make sure they receive the care and resources needed to meet their needs. The Recovery Care Coordinators are in place to break down barriers so that those in need can focus on recovery and when possible reintegration back to active duty. If the person cannot return to active duty, the Recovery Care Coordinators assist them with the transition out of active duty and into the VA System.
I met so many people who worked in this program and found them caring and passionate professionals who are laser focused on their duties. The Recovery Care Coordinators ranged in rank and experience, but all had a common purpose; to ensure each serviceman and women they worked with had what they needed to be the best they could be. The program is a model that all of us on the civilian side could emulate.
As I listened to the various speakers, I learned about the history of the Recovery Care Program, some of the challenges found within the system and about various programs that are making a difference while helping service men and women re-invent themselves after a life changing injury. One such program was the Adaptive Sports Program that inspires physical and emotional recovery by focusing on the person’s abilities versus their disabilities and helps those who participate set goals to strive for in a competitive yet caring environment. There were several members of various sports teams at the conference who shared how these programs help with their physician and emotional recovery. These programs are making a difference in helping those wounded to recover and re-integrate back into life while finding their ‘new normal.’
As a leader in the field of case management and patient advocacy, I was proud to have a front role seat to learn about the important work being done to assist our men and women who serve to protect us, have a program such as the Recovery Care Coordinator Program when they need help.
Regardless of what you read in the paper, or see on the news, please know that there is a tremendous amount of work being done for our men and women who make up our military to provide care, resources, and support for injured or ill.
As I left the program, I felt proud to be able to impart my experience and expertise to such a dedicated group of professionals.
Here are some resources you might want to read about to learn more about this outstanding program.
Recovery Care Coordinator Program: http://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/wounded-warrior-resources/recovery-coordination
Adaptive Sports Inspire Physical, Emotional Recovery at the 2016 DoD Warrior Games: http://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/2016/06/13/adaptive-sports-inspire-physical-emotional-recovery-at-the-2016-dod-warrior-games
Wounded Warrior Project Invictus Games: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/featured-campaign/wounded-warrior-project-partners-with-the-invictus-games-orlando-2016
CMSA Today: Case Management for Those who Serve and Have Served. Military Case Management http://www.nxtbook.com/naylor/CMSQ/CMSQ1416/index.php
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