Tony Neff is a 22 year old Army veteran, now disabled, who served in South Korea, Kuwait and Iraq. This Frederick, Maryland native, from a military family, was trained as an arc welder, but is also an excellent, clear writer. Recently he took the time to write out the story of what happened to him since his injury, and it offers a very compelling, straightforward look at the life of a disabled veteran.
Tony's original injury, while service-related, may not reek of the glory of combat, but his story nevertheless shows how completely life up-ending a disability is in one so young. It also shows how not getting the care you need in the field, or even afterwards, can result in a progressively worsening condition. Tony's original back injury, never properly diagnosed or treated, has reduced this big, strapping, and need I re-emphasize, young guy to first a cane, now a wheelchair. Now back in the U.S., but still being treated by the V.A. system, this weekend he went to the Emergency Room, because he'd lost feeling in his leg. Perhaps almost as hard, this hard-core truck enthusiast had to give up his beloved Dodge Ram SR10 truck because he couldn't afford the payments. Really, who could afford anything on the miserly $212 a month Tony currently gets for what seems like fairly complete disability? Reading his story, you're struck by how, in the civilian world, Tony would have a great case for medical negligence, with the possibility of a jury payout that would far exceed his being able to get his truck back. In the military, though, no such luck. Tony now suffers from PTSD, as a result of his combat experience, in addition to his injury, so he's currently undergoing a new round of evaluations for his PTSD disabilty as well.
Take the time to read Tony's story, written in his own words, and see if you don't agree with him that what this soldier wants is only what he deserves. And with an umpteen billion dollar budget for warfare, can't we find more than a measly $212 a month for this injured soldier? It's just plain wrong and un-American to separate a man and his truck! Download tony_neff.pdf
Editor's Note: Tony's pic is up on the Frederick News-Post online, as a hometown hero. Follow this link to go there. Tony is also an ardent supporter of the National Fallen Heroes Memorial, and would appreciate your support for that good work. Click here to follow that link.
