My Letter To The Governor General-Commander and Chief

Monday, 5 March 2012

To the Governor General of Canada

From: thebobs1@sympatico.ca
To: info@gg.ca; christelle.legault@gg.ca; marie-eve.letourneau@gg.ca
Subject: DND / VAC / Privacy Issue
Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2012 22:13:01 -0500

Your Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada: My name is Captain (R) Michael I. Cole. I retired from the military in 2007. The reason I retired was that, I could no longer follow the current leadership. The start of my issues with the Senior Officers are indicated in the attachment below. 

Since you are the Commander and Chief of the Canadian Military, I must inform you of my current situation reference the documents signed on behalf of the Queen. The Department of National Defense claimed they could not be located anywhere. Because this legal document was lost, VAC denied my initial application for benefits.

I have been in a constant battle with DND and now VAC for over 15 years. During my struggle, I became so beaten down, I was given a 10% chance of living. I am sorry Sir that I have to bring this to your attention but, this endless battle must conclude.

With all due respect Sir, could you look into this. My old service number was R10 090 530. My VAC case number is K6705156 and I have yet to be given a file number for my Formal Complaint being handled by the Privacy Commission.

I was the pilot who had the privilege of flying the "Unknown Soldier" home from France to Canada. I have proudly served in many conflicts around the world on behalf of this country. The one thing I can't allow is the continued mistreatment of our injured Veterans. I always have and will continue to, be an honourable loyal and truthful, Officer.

I hope the brief summary (ATTACHMENT) of what is really going on out there, will be a helpful start for you as Commander and Chief.

ATTACHMENT       http://michaelcole9112010.blogspot.com/

For The Media and Other Veterans - This Person is Me

About this person: Started in the Reserves in the early 80's. Flew the CP 121 Tracker on coastal patrol. Liked the military life so much that he joined the regular forces in the late 80's. He finished the year long Tutor Course in 3 months and was given a jet to fly to his Hercules Course, before his Grad Parade from Moose Jaw, Sask. In Trenton, this fellow excelled as a pilot. Quickly became an Aircraft Commander. His qualifications grew. They were: Tactical, Search and Rescue, Instrument Check Pilot, Squadron Flight Safety Officer, Chief Check Pilot, Special Operations and Chief of Squadron Standards.

This individual was not satisfied with just this, he wanted to do more. In the mid 90's he set out to create a fund raiser. This was all done on his own time and with his own money. Many companies and organizations thought the idea was a good one and signed on. Dignitaries, like former Canadian Generals' and even US politicians supported the idea. One person didn't. This person was of a Senior Rank to this guy. The fellow's career and jobs given suffered. Suspecting this Senior Officer was behind it, this guy followed the orders as written and finally submitted a formal complaint against this Senior Officer.

Now the story get's interesting. Through the miracles of military justice, this Senior Officer (yes, the same one who the formal complaint was submitted against) was put in charge of adjudicating whether he was guilty of the offence. To make sure that everything was above board, he employed he right hand person, the senior administrator to investigate and report their findings to him. He of course was this administrators boss so that would not be a problem either.

So: let us re-cap. A Senior Officer had a formal complaint filed against him. He puts himself in charge of adjudicating this same complaint. He hires someone under his direct command to investigate for him. Clear yet? Wait it get's better! I realize that this will come as a shocker to you but amazingly this Senior Officer who had the formal complaint filed against him, as his own Judge, found himself not guilty. He would not give himself any punishment or reprimand. He sure was a lucky guy not finding himself guilty. I'm sure it was real close. I'm sure you do too.

Although this poor fellow had done nothing wrong but try and do a fund raiser, his job situation got worse. Thinking to himself and carefully studying the orders as written, YOU CAN"T ADJUDICATE YOURSELF. Kind of common sense don't you think? The orders agreed with this thought too. This fellow therefore went forward with his complaint to the next higher ranking officer, in accordance with the orders. Hold on to your hat! You are about to get another shock. The next higher ranking officer who reviewed the case saw nothing was done wrong. I can just imagine now that this poor guy has scratched his head so much in disbelief that he should be damn near bald by now.

Quickly moving forward in time, the top General in the CF, the Chief of Defense Staff, wrote an Open Letter to the troops regarding these sort of things. Somehow, this guys complaint and subsequent investigations ended up on the CDS's desk. Finally someone could really do something. This little junior officer had to argue his own case to the top General and present it himself. Now I may be strong but the intensity, stress, anxiety of putting your whole moral character, job, financial security and pension on the line, must have been unbelievable. To make a long story longer, he won. This means in military terms that, he continued to get the shaft and that other senior officer, the one who adjudicated himself in violation of orders, got promoted. Not just once, he got promoted all the way to the top levels of the military. Now that should say something about the military justice system.

So, another re-cap: Person who filed a formal complaint, wins but continues to get the shaft. Senior officer who directly violated the orders as written, gets promoted several times to the top ranks. Sounds fair? Not yet it doesn't. It get's even better.

Having to continue to work and fly, which is stressful enough, this fellow slipped deeper and deeper into depression. Finally he couldn't take it anymore and retired in disgust. He started drinking and finally ended up in hospital with a 10% chance to live. Somehow he made it through. He realized that the cause of all his depression and anxiety was initiated by his complaint and it's outcome. He sought help. There are angels out there and lucky for this guy they came along at just the right time. They were the untainted ones at the bottom of the VAC food chain.

Having been through hell, this guy thought that it was only right that VAC help him with his depression. When this guy won his earlier complaint against this Senior Officer, he had to sign an agreement between himself and the Government of Canada on Behalf of the Queen. He could not speak of this agreement/complaint unless it had pension implications.

The response back from VAC reference his claim came back stating: NO. Not sufficient information to justify the claim. Now hearing this, the guy became even more depressed but, he could now appeal and go forward. He informed the Bureau of Pension Advocates and asked for help. Nine months later, this guy gets informed that his case is too hot to handle. He now must file his own Departmental Review. He supplied VAC with over 100 pages of documentation substantiating his claim. He finally won. I wish that was it, but there is more ahead for this poor guy.

He applied to the Privacy Personnel at DND about the documents such as; The letter to him from Canada's top General and this agreement between him and the Government on Behalf of the Queen. They didn't exist, was their response. If they didn't exist, then he couldn't use them for his case with VAC. Such a shame. The poor military member. If it did actually happen as he said, then where is the paperwork? DND didn't have a clue. These type of insignificant documents such as those from Canada's top General and Government documents on behalf of the Queen are always going missing, aren't they?

So, Re-cap again: Highly qualified military pilot, quits military out of disgust. Develops severe depression and anxiety. He almost dies. Files a VAC claim. DND can't find paperwork that this guy claims is there. VAC claim denied due to lack of evidence (insignificant papers lost - 1 from top General and 1 from Queen).

This story isn't even warming up yet. It is funny to hear reporters say that when they do any story about the military, they get inundated with calls. Welcome to the club. Sorry for taking so much of your time but there is just a little more. As I said before, after this fellow had to file his own Departmental review, he won. He got what is called a Decision Date.

Definition of Decision Date: The date at which you produce the documentation that DND said didn't exist. You compile a written explanation to them even a child could understand. They have delayed your claim as long as possible until there is absolutely no way they can say you have lied. That's right, you heard it here first. VAC assumes you are lying about your injuries until you prove to them that it was caused by your service. Once they can't delay you anymore, they give you your Decision Date. The date at which they state you are not lying to them. This has nothing to do with the date you filed your claim. You were lying back then. The Decision Date is the date they can't disprove your case. Sad and Shameful.

Thanks for reading

Rumblings About the 29th March - Boots?

Word on the street is a bunch of Veterans are thinking about going to Parliament Hill. I heard something about Veterans are 80% happy, with the service they are getting from VAC.

You just know I had to re-cap this one; Veterans don't want cuts to the VAC budget, they just want better service. This sounds like like a reasonable position to take.

In my case, the system was there for itself and not for the average serving member or Vet. In my case, Senior Officer after Senior Officer failed to help me as they were required to do, as per the Orders.

After that, when I made a claim through VAC, there was no documentation regarding this whole situation. When I asked DND Privacy for the paperwork to support my case, it went;"missing in action." My case was denied because they lost a letter written by the CDS and another from the Government, on behalf of the Queen. These things go missing all the time, don't they? Just insignificant pieces of paper. No value in keeping those,ah?

I wrote to the Commander and Chief (the GG) to let him know what's been going on. I wrote to the Privacy Commission reference the lost, insignificant papers from the CDS and Queen. I hope to hear something soon.

( As we all know, "soon" means; 120 days, 16 weeks, 4 months or 1/3 of a year - before you get your first rejection letter. It seems that the new norm is, send in your request and immediately, start working on your appeal because you know the answer will be "no!")


I know the public supports our Troops. I know that the Government supports our Troops in words and statements, to that effect.

Veterans having first hand experience should be making decisions about the well being of our wounded. No buisness model works here. Unless you have lived it, you can't judge it or decide it.

I will re-post my earlier thoughts on this subject

Benefits / Entitlements - A Little Heads Up

> > 'Entitlement' my ass, I paid cash for my social security insurance!!!! Just because they borrowed the money, doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout !! Government benefits, aka free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, 20 weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days, now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to call my retirement, an 'entitlement' !!!!!!

What the HELL's wrong with us??? 

WAKE UP CANADA !!!!

Someone please tell me what the HELL's wrong with all the people that run this country!!!!!!

We're "broke" & can't help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless etc.,???????????

In the last months we have provided aid to Haiti , Chile , and Turkey . And now Khanistan , Pakistan ......home of bin Laden. Literally, BILLIONS of DOLLARS!!!

Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed income' receive no aid nor do they get any breaks while our government and religious organizations pour Hundreds of Billions of $$$$$$'s and Tons of Food to Foreign Countries!

They call Social Security and Healthcare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives and now when it's time for us to collect, the government is running out of money. Why did the government borrow from it in the first place? 

We have hundreds of adoptable children who are shoved aside to make room for the adoption of foreign orphans. 

CANADA: a country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed hungry, elderly going without 'needed' meds, and mentally ill without treatment -etc, etc. 

YET......................

They have a 'Benefit' for the people of Haiti ships and planes lining up with food, water, tents, clothes, bedding, doctors, and medical supplies. 

Imagine if the *GOVERNMENT* gave 'US' the same support they give to other countries. 

Sad isn't it?

99% of people won't have the guts to forward this. 

I'm one of the 1% -- I Just Did. I fed millions in Ethiopia and worked for the UN in the Central African Republic of Congo. Worked in Rwanda, Kenya as well as Monsurat. Both Gulf wars and Yugoslavia.

I'm having trouble getting VAC entitlements/benefits. You?

VAC in Action - Almost

I called up the Ombudsman's Office to get some answers to a few questions. My first question was have they made a decision yet on my medications. To give you a little back ground, I was authorized 6 pills per month of 20mg medicine. The Specialist doctor gave me an option of either 6 (20mg) pills or a lower dosage daily pill (5mg). When I went to order my pills the Treatment Authorization Unit (TAC) said that they would cover the lower dosage daily pill but, I could only have 6.

I do realize that I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer but, it is nice to know that there are duller ones than me at TAC. So to re-cap TAC will authorize 6 pills only. This is regardless of strength. To them a 20 mg pill is the same as a 5 mg pill. Six(6) is the one and only thing to be fixated on.

After some extensive personal investigation on the most complex of issues, I discovered some amazing facts. The length of time it took me, totally untrained in medicines, found out that 20mg pills are 4 times stronger than 5 mg pills. To complete my investigation I did one of those most unbelievable things you could imagine doing at VAC, I asked a question, in person too. The person I asked was helpful, they indicated that surprisingly the 6 20 mg pills cost almost exactly what the daily 5 mg pills cost.

A final summation. I thought about 20 vice 5 mg's and verbalized a question relating to cost and had my answer. Total time invested by me, 15 seconds at the most. To call 1-866 (we know nothing) and ask them to ask TAC (because you can't actually talk or ask a question to a person, this is too time consuming and takes away their time for writing rejection letters) about this issue, write a fax, contact VAC 1-866 (again for an answer) - two weeks later, plus now 4 weeks later and still no answer. Sad. I wonder what the hiring criteria is for TAC? I think my other brother Darrel can get a job there.

Let Us Make a Positive Difference - What's your story

By telling others what is really doing on, is the little guys way of saying, enough!!! The use of catchy little phrases that sound good but are just empty, you know the ones the Federal Departments use such as:
"The health of Veterans is very important to Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and we are committed to providing clients with health care benefits to contribute to their quality of life"

After reading what I have blogged already, I myself would be hard pressed to stand behind that statement.

A Re-Cap To Date - DND / VAC

Some have indicated that a "Readers Digest" type of summary might be helpful. I will attempt to outline the history and current situation so you, the reader, can have some appreciation of my situation.
1. Complaint filed by Captain against Colonel in 1997 in accordance with the Canadian Forces Administrative Orders (CFAO). Colonel adjudicated himself with the Base Administrative Officer Investigating on his behalf.
2. Colonel found himself not guilty.
3. Captain (me) requested further review of my case because of the way it was adjudicated. (You can't be your own Judge). These requests were again filed in accordance with CFAO's.
4. No Senior Officer all the way up the Chain of Command would accept my argument that you can't judge your own case. No Senior Officer (very many) would help.
5. Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) wrote an "Open Letter" to the lower ranks and indicated that if you as a lower rank were not being treated fairly, he wanted to know about it.
6. The CDS was given my case to look at by another Junior Ranking member. He did find in my favour. Through mediation a deal was struck. (This should have been the end of it). My career was for all intents finished and the Senior Officer, Colonel was promoted up to I believe the Deputy Chief of Defense Staff. (DCDS). I believe this person who didn't follow written orders back in 97, along with the other Senior Officers who would not help, were now making decisions or recommendations about the new F-35 among other important issues. In this case, the Orders appear to only apply if they are used from the top down and not, even though written for good reason, working from the bottom up.
7. Upon completion of my service I was in definite need of treatment for several issues. This being only one of many. When I filed my Veterans Affairs Claim, the answer was no. This decision was based on the information that they had available. Not knowing what information they had, I had to wait to find out exactly what they looked at. Through the Bureau of Pension Advocates (BPA), I found out that they basically looked at nothing because there was nothing in any file.
8. After having my case for nine months, BPA decided that it was too hot to handle and wanted me to go directly to a Tribunal. A Tribunal is the final stage of Appeal. I refused and filed my own Departmental Review Request. I myself compiled over 100 pages of documentation as proof. I won my Appeal.
9. My "Decision Date"-the date they can't disprove your claim, was now almost 2 years later and I was unable to claim any expenses during that time because they didn't believe me when I initially filed. In other words, the longer they can delay you, the more money they save.
10. Currently I am waiting for 3 consequential decisions and every request for Blue Cross POC 10 drug coverage has been initially denied (approx 15 requests). After lengthy battles with the Treatment Authorization Unit - Pharmacy, three(3) remain outstanding and one request for special footwear has been denied.
11. I investigated as to why VAC could not find any documents on me was because items such as the CDS's Letter to me and others didn't exist and my agreement between myself and The Government of Canada on Behalf of the Queen, was not to be located anywhere. This is one reason my claim was delayed for an excessive period.
12. I wrote an email to the Governor General, requesting his assistance as Commander and Chief of the Canadian Military. (03 Mar 2012)
13. I filed a Formal Complaint with the Privacy Commission about the lost / missing documents from the CDS and Queen.

From the Office of the Governor General

• DND / VAC / Privacy Issue‏

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Reply  ▼

 GG2

To thebobs1@sympatico.ca, Info, Christelle.Legault@gg.ca

Thank you for your email. It has been forwarded to our Correspondence unit.

03/03/2012

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 Michael Cole

• 

  

Your Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada: My name is Captain (R) Michael I. Cole. I retired from the military

Proposed Vac Legislation Changes - Positive

SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THE VETERAN

I am sure the Veterans want to work with the Government on putting forth positive changes to the New Veterans Charter. Changes to the old Charter were done for reasons of changing circumstance. I would like to put forth some suggested changes that would help the Veterans but still keep the central theme of the New Charter intact. These proposals are;

1. Assume that the Veteran is telling the truth when they file their initial claim with VAC. In other words, make a point in time (that is the date of filing the claim), a neutral date. This would freeze time as far as both the Government is concerned and the Veteran. There would be no added advantage for either side. Once all the proof is in and all appeals have been exhausted, then a final decision would be made. This could still be referred to as the "Decision Date" but, would not be the "Effective Date", as it pertains to monetary issues. As it has been shown, since installing this New Veterans Charter, that it does take in some cases an excessive amount of time. This is somewhat a manpower issue and bureaucratic item but, neither side would be penalized for the time it takes to get the decision right. Getting it right, is all the Veterans are asking for.

2. Treat the Veteran as a whole person. Because they may be injured in one way physically, that problem could cause other consequential conditions. If the Veteran believes that this is the case, they can take positive steps to prevent further injury thus, pro-actively, keep costs down for all.

3. In the case of medication and their side effects, these are all well documented. If confirmed by a physician, these side effects are and should always be, classified as consequential to the initial claim.

4. The process itself is extremely difficult to manage and navigate for Veterans. With the multitude of different departments, the flow of information can easily be slowed. Upon making an initial claim, the Veteran should be given a "Case Manager" who's sole responsibility is, to work with the different departments within VAC and be able to contact the other units directly for answers. The Veteran may not even know what department or form they need or where to address it to, when trying to work with the system. The 1-866-522-2122 line is, most of the time, less than helpful. It is not that they are not trying to help the Veteran but, confusion, frustration and comprehension of the system and how it works, is so complicated, no wonder the Veterans get frustrated. The way it is now, every day that goes by is another day away from the "Decision Date".

SO TO RE-CAP: Make the claim filing date, the effective date for compensation purposes. The "Decision Date" will remain as is except, it will have no bearing on compensation.

The Military and RCMP are used to a, "Chain of Command." They understand that and can comprehend it's value. For VAC, create a," Case Manager" position, that has direct access to all departments so that VAC people can talk to VAC people to solve issues using common sense. As we were told while serving, the book is only a guide and is no substitute for common sense. By having this one "Case Manager", able to talk to all departments, the member would have a single point of contact just like they were used to while serving. The "Case Manager" could get the proper forms together and be able to quickly forward them to the correct person. This would greatly reduce the need for the 1-866 number and have only VAC departmental personnel talking to VAC personnel. Veterans would be taken out of the loop, so to speak.

For Privacy Issues, the Veteran would have to sign a blanket authorization for all departments to be able to respond to the "Case Manager" and between themselves, to solve problems on behalf of the Veteran.

Reference Blue Cross Coverage. Since most medical and physical issues a Veteran may have, need to be arranged for that particular Veteran. No one Veteran has exactly the same needs as another. Physicians and medical Specialists, should have the freedom to try whatever is at hand to treat the Veteran the best and most expedient way possible. The rules on Formulary and other medical aids, would not apply until the Veteran, as a whole person, is taken care of. In the interim, the "Case Manager" could work with these medical professionals, in an attempt to indicate possible ways to save. Once fully stabilized and after the "Decision Date" is in effect, attempts at cost savings over the long term could be looked at.

Now that all the Veterans immediate health concerns have been dealt with, both financially and medically, the Veteran would then be handed off to a "File Manager" who just takes care of occasional changes in circumstance.

The Veterans would understand a system to help them that mirrors the system they are used to. A Single Point of Contact. The VAC workers could now work amongst themselves, to solve problems for the Veteran without the Veteran having to be in anyway involved. The Case Manager would be the one and only contact for the Veteran. In an emergency, the 1-866 number would still be available or a regional office approach could be taken, should anything of an urgent nature come up.

A WORKABLE PLAN - SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT (OPI - for those RCMP or Military types)

For The Media and Other Veterans - This Guy is Me

About this person: Started in the Reserves in the early 80's. Flew the CP 121 Tracker on coastal patrol. Liked the military life so much that he joined the regular forces in the late 80's. He finished the year long Tutor Course in 3 months and was given a jet to fly to his Hercules Course, before his Grad Parade from Moose Jaw, Sask. In Trenton, this fellow excelled as a pilot. Quickly became an Aircraft Commander. His qualifications grew. They were: Tactical, Search and Rescue, Instrument Check Pilot, Squadron Flight Safety Officer, Chief Check Pilot, Special Operations and Chief of Squadron Standards.

This individual was not satisfied with just this, he wanted to do more. In the mid 90's he set out to create a fund raiser. This was all done on his own time and with his own money. Many companies and organizations thought the idea was a good one and signed on. Dignitaries, like former Canadian Generals' and even US politicians supported the idea. One person didn't. This person was of a Senior Rank to this guy. The fellow's career and jobs given suffered. Suspecting this Senior Officer was behind it, this guy followed the orders as written and finally submitted a formal complaint against this Senior Officer.

Now the story get's interesting. Through the miracles of military justice, this Senior Officer (yes, the same one who the formal complaint was submitted against) was put in charge of adjudicating whether he was guilty of the offence. To make sure that everything was above board, he employed he right hand person, the senior administrator to investigate and report their findings to him. He of course was this administrators boss so that would not be a problem either.

So: let us re-cap. A Senior Officer had a formal complaint filed against him. He puts himself in charge of adjudicating this same complaint. He hires someone under his direct command to investigate for him. Clear yet? Wait it get's better! I realize that this will come as a shocker to you but amazingly this Senior Officer who had the formal complaint filed against him, as his own Judge, found himself not guilty. He would not give himself any punishment or reprimand. He sure was a lucky guy not finding himself guilty. I'm sure it was real close. I'm sure you do too.

Although this poor fellow had done nothing wrong but try and do a fund raiser, his job situation got worse. Thinking to himself and carefully studying the orders as written, YOU CAN"T ADJUDICATE YOURSELF. Kind of common sense don't you think? The orders agreed with this thought too. This fellow therefore went forward with his complaint to the next higher ranking officer, in accordance with the orders. Hold on to your hat! You are about to get another shock. The next higher ranking officer who reviewed the case saw nothing was done wrong. I can just imagine now that this poor guy has scratched his head so much in disbelief that he should be damn near bald by now.

Quickly moving forward in time, the top General in the CF, the Chief of Defense Staff, wrote an Open Letter to the troops regarding these sort of things. Somehow, this guys complaint and subsequent investigations ended up on the CDS's desk. Finally someone could really do something. This little junior officer had to argue his own case to the top General and present it himself. Now I may be strong but the intensity, stress, anxiety of putting your whole moral character, job, financial security and pension on the line, must have been unbelievable. To make a long story longer, he won. This means in military terms that, he continued to get the shaft and that other senior officer, the one who adjudicated himself in violation of orders, got promoted. Not just once, he got promoted all the way to the top levels of the military. Now that should say something about the military justice system.

So, another re-cap: Person who filed a formal complaint, wins but continues to get the shaft. Senior officer who directly violated the orders as written, gets promoted several times to the top ranks. Sounds fair? Not yet it doesn't. It get's even better.

Having to continue to work and fly, which is stressful enough, this fellow slipped deeper and deeper into depression. Finally he couldn't take it anymore and retired in disgust. He started drinking and finally ended up in hospital with a 10% chance to live. Somehow he made it through. He realized that the cause of all his depression and anxiety was initiated by his complaint and it's outcome. He sought help. There are angels out there and lucky for this guy they came along at just the right time. They were the untainted ones at the bottom of the VAC food chain.

Having been through hell, this guy thought that it was only right that VAC help him with his depression. When this guy won his earlier complaint against this Senior Officer, he had to sign an agreement between himself and the Government of Canada on Behalf of the Queen. He could not speak of this agreement/complaint unless it had pension implications.

The response back from VAC reference his claim came back stating: NO. Not sufficient information to justify the claim. Now hearing this, the guy became even more depressed but, he could now appeal and go forward. He informed the Bureau of Pension Advocates and asked for help. Nine months later, this guy gets informed that his case is too hot to handle. He now must file his own Departmental Review. He supplied VAC with over 100 pages of documentation substantiating his claim. He finally won. I wish that was it, but there is more ahead for this poor guy.

He applied to the Privacy Personnel at DND about the documents such as; The letter to him from Canada's top General and this agreement between him and the Government on Behalf of the Queen. They didn't exist, was their response. If they didn't exist, then he couldn't use them for his case with VAC. Such a shame. The poor military member. If it did actually happen as he said, then where is the paperwork? DND didn't have a clue. These type of insignificant documents such as those from Canada's top General and Government documents on behalf of the Queen are always going missing, aren't they?

So, Re-cap again: Highly qualified military pilot, quits military out of disgust. Develops severe depression and anxiety. He almost dies. Files a VAC claim. DND can't find paperwork that this guy claims is there. VAC claim denied due to lack of evidence (insignificant papers lost - 1 from top General and 1 from Queen).

This story isn't even warming up yet. It is funny to hear reporters say that when they do any story about the military, they get inundated with calls. Welcome to the club. Sorry for taking so much of your time but there is just a little more. As I said before, after this fellow had to file his own Departmental review, he won. He got what is called a Decision Date.

Definition of Decision Date: The date at which you produce the documentation that DND said didn't exist. You compile a written explanation to them even a child could understand. They have delayed your claim as long as possible until there is absolutely no way they can say you have lied. That's right, you heard it here first. VAC assumes you are lying about your injuries until you prove to them that it was caused by your service. Once they can't delay you anymore, they give you your Decision Date. The date at which they state you are not lying to them. This has nothing to do with the date you filed your claim. You were lying back then. The Decision Date is the date they can't disprove your case. Sad and Shameful.

Thanks for reading

The Personal Journey

Angelina's  Leg - We still have to smile

The decision to get into one of these three professions is a very personal one. It takes great intestinal fortitude to be able to even qualify for training, let a lone finishing. There is a great deal of pride in your accomplishments and you continuously strive to improve your skills. One of the most seriously misunderstood ailments these professionals sometimes get is, a mental health issue. Using myself as an example, I never lived in one time zone. I was always flying somewhere and being a heavy transport pilot, my destination was never close to home. It would be daylight there and night here and my body never got a circadian rhythm. That rhythm I spoke about is, going to bed at night and getting up in the morning. Eating 3 times per day, usually at or near the same times, your body clock in otherwords. Shift workers have this problem too but, someone on call, never knows what time they have to go to work or what time they will be home. Tough on you and your family.

When a mental health issue comes up, these self driven individuals feel that it's nothing, and they will work through it. Strong as they may be, this one they can't beat alone. It would be so much easier if I were missing a leg or arm. Then at least people could understand the hurt and pain. The problem comes when there are no outwardly signs of physical trauma. All the damage is internal. PTSD is evident when the person's coping abilities are overwhelmed. They resort to ways to release the pain. I was struggling badly. I was so disgusted with the military and how I had been treated, I had to leave, get out. A pilot with 8,000 plus hours of heavy transport flying combined with the multitude of qualifications I had, in monetary terms, was worth millions and millions of dollars to the military. Having to go out this way, was devastating to me. I didn't even want to pick up my commendations from the Prime Minister, I just wanted to go away and forget everything bad that had happened. When I was at the end, I had a slim 10% chance to live.

This type of situation is very serious and the person hurting has to be treated as a whole person. In other words, My particular coping techniques were caused by a culmination of very traumatic situations. None I could talk about. Some because of legal reasons others because they were unbelievable to the every day person on the street. Over time, it wore me down. I was more afraid of seeing the doctor because once you say you have a problem as a pilot, you lose your job. Your dream. The one thing you love to do. I would have rather flown through a Thunderstorm rather than see a doctor. Sad but true. In my case I couldn't ask for help because it would be the end of my career. An impossible position to put a person in. Totally unfair to the individual on so many levels. They give you everything they have and more and if in mental distress, can't ask for help because they loose everything they worked their whole life for. If you could only have job security while you get better, I'm sure the stats in mental health would go up dramatically.

The picture shows the long lonely journey each of us in these professions must walk by ourselves. Either to get into our profession or recover from the effects of it.