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Veterans returning from serving their country at times can encounter a number of unseen complications involved with civilian life. Disability, money trouble and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are just some of the problems returning military men and women may have to endure with their families or alone. “Our House Foundation” is an organization that provides assistance to returning veterans and their families in need. KSMU’s Matthew Barnes has details.
The mission statement of the organization says that it’s dedicated to helping restore the shattered lives of military men and women returning from war. It was founded by Dr. Rita Spilken in 2004 after she realized the difficulties veterans would face after returning from war and adjusting to regular life.
“I had this overwhelming feeling that when they pulled down Saddam Hussein’s statue something was going to happen. And in my head I just felt that there was going to be a human tsunami coming back of military people having huge problems. Basically, we are acting as a referral service yet we also provide lots of love and support to families that are in crisis. You know it’s you meet people over the phone and by talking with them and by learning of their problems and by helping you grow closer,” says Spilken.
Rory Lynn, a marine who was discharged around 2001 suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He contacted the foundation, which connected him with a dog training program.
“I got a disability discharge because I really couldn’t keep up with the rest of the marines. It started off as a physical disability then I started having nightmares, started hearing voices and hallucinating and I would try to run real fast to get rid of them like I could out run them and that contributed to me getting a heat stroke,” says Lynn.
The foundation helps veterans connect with services they need and runs several programs. One program, still a work in progress, is A Listening Ear, a phone line for veterans and families to call for help dealing with the stresses of returning.
“For example if the mother comes home from deployment and she is abusive, the husband who is stationary here at the home front can call and say hey I got a problem here. And we can talk to them we can suggest and we can help them get the help that they need,” says Spilken.
“Our House Foundation” not only helps with people suffering from PTSD after returning from the war ,but also with the day to day things such as paying bills. Chrissy Dean was a 911 operator for the Air Force military police in Japan who has received help from the foundation.
“My family was having a little bit of financial problems, and it was close to Christmas and I called everybody I could think of and nobody would help me. And I ran across Dr. Rita’s phone number in the phone book and she was the only one who sat down and listened to what I had to say and understood. And she help me not only get my rent fixed for that month, but also helped with my family at Christmas time with gifts and donations and things like that,” says Dean
While the foundation is not large, its volunteer base is diligent.For anyone who wishes to contact the foundation they may call 889-7452.
For KSMU News I’m Matthew Barnes.
Matthew Barnes is a media production major at Missouri State University. Originally from Florissant, Missouri, he moved to Springfield for college and a change of environment. His hobbies include improv comedy and biking.
