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of the government and the Gulf War, can be very healing and energizing.  These are some options to help yourself and your family cope and live with chronic illnesses:

Exercise - Exercise may sound impossible, but don't think of what you considered exercise before you became ill.  Think of a new goal that is realistic now, such as walking to the corner and back or climbing the stairs.  Just the fact that you are moving, making goals and trying to meet them is helpful.

Reduce Expectations:  Give yourself permission to say no and set new limits.  Get the "shoulds" out of your life.

Stress Reduction Excursuses: This can include deep breathing, physical exercise, meditation, yoga, tai chi, visualization, laughter, or just taking a hot bath.

Create a Bigger Box:  Examine and change your beliefs about pain and your life.  Considering pain as energy makes it less fearsome.

Treat Yourself:  Once a day do something you look forward to.  It's ok to have fun even when you're in pain.

Notice Problem Areas:  Notice places in the day where you loose energy or have more pain.  What is going on during these times?  What can you do to minimize discomfort?

Change Your Diet:  Hidden food allergies are a common source of headaches and discomfort.  The better your eating habits, the stronger your body will be to counteract damaging influences.

Create Healthy Boundaries:  Spend your energy on healing, not on those who don't believe you are ill or who are constantly demanding things from you.  Learn to create healthy boundaries.

Naps and Sleep:  Often a powerful avenue to healing.

Doing Good: There is tremendous healing power in doing good.  Make a point of performing ordinary acts of kindness that will move you out of self involvement.

Reach Out:  Call a phone buddy who knows what you're going through.  Or, even better, join a support group of vets and families who are ill.  If there is none in your area, start one.  Call the NGWRC for guidance or ask an administrator at the nearest vets center to help.  Also, your local hospital or community may have support groups established already for people with chronic illnesses like CFIDS, lupus, MS, etc.  Often they welcome others who have a similar, but different, chronic illness.

Counseling: See someone who specializes in chronic illnesses.  They can help you learn coping strategies that work.

Social Security Benefits Hotline: 800-772-1213

Given the failure of the VA to grant disability compensation to most veterans with Gulf War Syndrome, it is important to know that other federal programs are available.  The Social Security Administration offers both disability compensation and supplemental security income benefits.  The amount is well below VA compensation levels and you must be unemployable (unable to work 40 hours per week) to qualify for benefits.  In some cases, veterans can receive both SSA and VA disability compensation.  Some veterans who were denied VA benefits have been able to secure SSA benefits.  SSA claims can take several years to process so, as with VA claims, begin the process as soon as possible.

Family members and civilians who have Gulf War Syndrome, or birth defects related to the Gulf War, are not eligible for VA programs and thus need to explore other options.  Unfortunately, there are not many other options beyond Social Security programs.

What To Do:

1.  Apply for SS benefits as soon as you become disabled. There is no waiting period.

2.  Schedule an appointment for an interview at your local county Social Security office.

3.  Fill out the following SS Forms and bring them to your appointment:
a. Form SSA-3368-BK -- Disability Report (22 pages)
b. Form SSA-3373-BK -- Function Report (5 pages)
c. Form SSA-827-OP1 -- Authorization for Source to  Release Information to the Social Security  Administration.  Fill out a separate Form SSA-827- OP1 for each medical doctor, medical clinic, hospital,  or emergency room you have been seen in for the  disabling condition.

3.  Provide as much medical documentation regarding your disability as possible.  VA doctors reports are acceptable.  Make copies of any and all medical records you have regarding your condition and provide them to the SSA. 

4.  Keep a log of all information provided to the SSA and any coorespondence with them.

5.  As with the VA, initial denials are common.  Don't become discouraged -- file an appeal immediately.

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Second Edition - Fall 1997          Page 19