MSI Press Blog

Happy Fourth of July, 2020! In celebration of this day, we present an excerpt from Joanna Romer's popular book, Helping the Disabled Veteran . Excerpt: Holidays The holidays may be a poignant time for your veteran, perhaps more than you realize. If he or she lost a friend in battle, or simply during the course of military service, your veteran may be reminded of that friendship with sadness during the holidays. Even though you’ve never met this friend, you should respect your veteran’s grief—the friendship may have been very close. Your veteran may feel guilty if unable to do Christmas shopping. If they are confined to a wheelchair, for instance. You can offer to help—either by buying the items he/she picks out or by setting your veteran up on the computer to do some online shopping. It goes without saying that lending a little extra cash during this time would be welcome. On the day of the holiday itself, don’t be surprised if your veteran wants to stay in his/he...

  This excerpt comes from  Helping the Disabled Veteran  (Joanna Romer) Drive down any major thoroughfare in a medium to large-sized city, and you’re bound to see this sign at an intersection: “Homeless Veteran. Please Help.”  The sign is usually being wielded by a man between 20 and 70 years old, bedraggled in appearance and wearing a helpless expression on his face. Sometimes the sign says, “Will work for food,” especially if the Veteran is on the younger side. Sometimes the sign bearer is disabled, with just one leg, standing on crutches or in a wheelchair. What do we do when we see such a person? The light changes and we drive on through the intersection; or, if we’re feeling charitable, we put a dollar in the outstretched cup. Sometimes if we get a look at the veteran’s face, a tear may come to our eye: there’s something very wrong about this situation. The more cynical among us may posit that the whole thing is an act—that the man with the sign is jus...

This excerpt comes from  Helping the Disabled Veteran  (Joanna Romer)      Homeless Veterans Drive down any major thoroughfare in a medium to large-sized city, and you’re bound to see this sign at an intersection: “Homeless Veteran. Please Help.” The sign is usually being wielded by a man between 20 and 70 years old, bedraggled in appearance and wearing a helpless expression on his face. Sometimes the sign says, “Will work for food,” especially if the Veteran is on the younger side. Sometimes the sign bearer is disabled, with just one leg, standing on crutches or in a wheelchair. What do we do when we see such a person? The light changes and we drive on through the intersection; or, if we’re feeling charitable, we put a dollar in the outstretched cup. Sometimes if we get a look at the veteran’s face, a tear may come to our eye: there’s something very wrong about this situation . The more cynical among us may posit that the whole thing is an act — that the ...

Review from MidWest Book Review, April 19, 2019 Reviewer's Choice Helping the Disabled  Veteran Joanna Romer MSI Press 1760-F Airline Hwy, #203, Hollister, CA 950243 http://msipress.com 9781942891789, $14.95, PB, 124pp, www.msipress.com/shop/ "Helping the Disabled Veteran: How to Assist Your Disabled Veteran's Adjustment to Civilian Life" by Joanna Romer suggests 'real world practical' ways to assist disabled veterans leaving the military and trying to integrate back into mainstream society in spite of their disabilities. The chapters comprising "Helping the Disabled Veteran" contain recommendations, suggestions, and practical suggestions, based on a large number of wide-ranging interviews with disabled veterans about their experiences after returning from war. Impressively informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Helping the Disabled Veteran" should be a part of every community, college, and university library collection ...

  PTSD is often described as a disorder of memory — the past refusing to stay in the past. But for many people, especially (though not exclusively) former military service members, PTSD is also a disorder of survival . The nervous system stays on high alert long after the danger has passed. The body keeps bracing. The mind keeps scanning. And over time, that constant vigilance can become unbearable. It’s in that unbearable space that suicidal thoughts sometimes take root. What the Research Shows People living with PTSD have significantly higher rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts than the general population. The risk increases when: trauma was severe, prolonged, or repeated symptoms include hyperarousal, nightmares, or intrusive memories PTSD coexists with depression, anxiety, or substance use the person feels isolated or misunderstood the trauma involved moral injury — a violation of one’s core values Among former military service members, the risk is shaped ...