Thousands of American service members are returning from their tours of duty with physical and/or psychological disabilities. Many-if not most-of these service members will need at least some assistance to adapt to their disabilities and learn how to reintegrate back into civilian life. Also impacted will be the spouse, friends, employers, family members, counselors, and community members of each veteran with a disability. The veterans may not be aware of the ways in which their disabilities are impacting them, nor knowledgeable about the resources available to help them cope. In addition, many such individuals feel isolated and reluctant to acknowledge their difficulties or ask for assistance.The volume compiles and summarizes the information disabled veterans and those with whom they interact will be interested in knowing and using. It describes how disabilities can impact an individual physically, psychologically, and spiritually. It also provides a context of these disabilities to reassure the readers that they are not alone in the thoughts, feelings, and pain, and that others have experienced the same problems and found solutions. The work provides guidance on different forms of treatment that may help the veteran and includes a list of contact information for local VA centers, peer-to-peer counseling services, and other programs, services, and individuals available (frequently for free) for veterans and their families. Brief biographies of disabled veterans and case studies of the ways they reintegrated back into civilian society provide support and perspective. In addition to aiding veterans, the book will serve as a useful reference source for librarians and other information providers.

This book will directly help the veterans and the families, friends, and counselors of the men and women who left behind parts of themselves on the battlefield as they kept the rest of Americans safe from terror.

Foreword Daniel K. InouyePrefaceCh. 1: Benefits for Veterans: A Historical Context and Overview of the Current Situation Rodney R. Baker, Ph.D.Ch. 2: Current Veterans Demographics and Implications for Veterans Health Care Ann M. Hendricks, Ph.D. and Jomana H. Amara, Ph.D., P.E.Ch. 3: Injuries and SymptomsCh. 4: The Physical and Psychological Impact Of Your Injury and Disability John W. Klocek, Ph.D.Ch. 5: Fitness for Duty, Recovery, and Return To Service Mark J. Bates, Ph.D., Stephen V. Bowles, Ph.D. and Jocelyn A. Kilgore, M.D.Ch. 6: Finding Employment As A Veteran with a Disability Nathan D. Ainspan, Ph.D.Ch. 7: Education Options Charles Sabatier, J.D.Ch. 8: Disability and Injuring Among Members Of the National Guard and Reserves Units Jamie Darwin, PsyD.Ch. 9: Impact on Family and Friends Shirley M. Glynn, Ph.D.Ch. 10: Peer Support Services Wayne Gregory, Ph.D.Ch. 11: The Psychosocial Impact of Disabilities Walter Penk, Ph. D. and Ralph Robinowitz, Ph.D.Ch.12: Time Line