Homeless Veteran Finds Help through VA

by Dianna Suslow, LCSW

Betty is an Air Force Veteran who served from 1979-1983. She was proud to have served her country, and of her accomplishments, but while in the service, she suffered two sexual attacks that left her with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from Military Sexual Trauma (MST). After being in the service, Betty went through a violent marriage and lost a baby to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.  She had nightmares, flashbacks, and mood instability. She turned to substance abuse to deal with the pain.

As her symptoms got worse, she found it harder and harder to work as the years went on.  She also has a chronic pain problem in her hips and back; the result of a fall during her service, and years of Certified Nursing Assistant work.

“I did not know what was happening to me,” she said.

Betty became homeless in May of 2006. She went through the inpatient and outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Programs at the Carl T Hayden Medical Center in 2007.  During this time, Betty was putting her life back together.

“If I had not come to terms with my MST, recovery would not have been possible,” she said.
She received help with substance abuse, back pain, and trauma.

Betty did not have the financial resources to pay for housing. She also wanted to help her son, who (now, 19 years old) was living with his sister who is two years older. They barely had enough money to cover basic needs.  Betty was unable to help them due to her circumstances.

So housing for Betty was provided through the Housing and Urban Development/VA Subsidized Housing program in 2009.

Even though this was a help it was difficult for Betty at first, because her only source of income was her general assistance, which was cut due to the housing grant.

She subsided on zero income for a number of months.  But recently her benefits from the VA for PTSD came through. She felt that she was finally being validated for what she went through in the military.

“If it was not for taking advantage of the all programs of the VA, especially the homeless program, I would not be here,” said Betty.

Betty has now been clean and sober for four years. She is moving in to a two-bedroom apartment, so her son can live with her while pursuing his education. She also has a close relationship with her daughter and grandson.

Betty is now ready to take her life to the next level. She is pursuing recreational and social activities. With the help of the VA, she is feeling better emotionally, and has the basic resources she needs to live comfortably.