Many of these veterans face challenges negotiating the minefield of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims process- a process that includes a lengthy application and strict deadlines.
There are many nonprofit organizations out there that try to help raise money for post-traumatic stress disorder research for the wounded warriors. An example of a nonprofit organization would be hope for the warriors. Hope for the warriors has the goal of enhancing the quality of life for post 9/11 service members and families, and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds while in the line of duty. Hope for the warriors were founded by a group of military wives in 2006. They stood together as they witnessed, firsthand, the effects of the war on service members and their families. While founded in North Carolina, the organization maintains offices in New York, Washington D.C., Virginia, and Florida. The leadership of the organization still remains in the dedicated hands of military wives. "Hope for the warriors are dedicated to restoring a sense of self and restoring help for our service members and our supporting military families" (Bernstein)." Together, we can continue restoring: Self, Family, and Hope" (Bernstein). Although there are many resources helping the wounded warriors, there are many that are just not able to treat them like they should, due to lack of resources and money.
Captain Leslie was sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky for treatment in 2004 after being flown out of Iraq. Capt. Leslie said "The living conditions were the worst I'd ever seen for the soldiers." "Paint peeling, mold, windows that didn't work. I went to the hospital chaplain to get them to issue blankets and linens. There were no nurses. You had wounded and injured leading the troops." (Hull).
