http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2010/07/28/opinion/doc4c5059017e970590765990.txtLETTER: ‘Help for our troops’
Published: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 11:37 AM CDT
To the Editor,
The Veterans Administration recently announced the designation of $2.8 million towards three 2-5 year research studies on possible treatment for SOME Gulf War illnesses seen by military serving in the Persian Gulf from Aug. 2, 1990 – Feb. 28, 1991. This is a small pittance of the actual benefits that these veterans need and deserve.
They have been neglected for 18 years, only recently being recognized as having something that existed outside their own minds. One person who realized this is a Dallas physician, Dr. Robert Haley, who has tirelessly researched GWS at UTSW and been a vocal advocate for these veterans.
I’d like to share his research as an inspiration for the rest of us to keep speaking out, to never give up, when our troops and veterans are in need.
Dr. Haley, an epidemiologist, began his research in 1994, stating there was a definitive disease which he called “Gulf War Syndrome.” The disease, he stated, was related to troop exposure to multiple organophosphates and pyridostigmine, which were intended to protect the troops from nerve gas.
Troops from other countries did not use this combination and saw fewer symptoms. A wide range of acute and chronic symptoms have included fatigue, loss of muscle control, headaches, dizziness and loss of balance, memory problems, skin problems, immune system problems and birth defects. Although this affected one in four veterans of Gulf War 1, the Department of Defense and VA took 17 years to acknowledge the existence, leaving many veterans without help. Dr. Haley was also responsible for identifying a disturbingly high incidence of Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), a progressive neurological disease that is ultimately fatal. On veterans of Gulf War 1 Dr. Haley found that all victims had previously suffered from Gulf War Syndrome.
Dr. Haley was vocal in his insistence that the government take these symptoms seriously. He was truly bothered by the refusal of the government to recognize these symptoms.
Fortunately in 2008, with a new government in place, VA Secretary Anthony Principi approved full benefits for Gulf War veterans diagnosed with ALS based on initial findings of the two studies. Unfortunately, they have been much slower in recognizing the GWS veterans, with the VA only now reviewing their claims. Please contact your Congress members and encourage them to expedite the settlement of these claims. These veterans don’t have forever to wait for us to recognize their sacrifice.
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