Dirk:
You’re an amazing American. That’s an indisputable fact.
We are hopeful the readers who do not know you will trust our opinion because sir, you’re also a selfless soul, a damn good man, and nothing but a Teddy Bear.
You’re also a member of a very special group here in the United States because you and your bride Amiee were part of the ‘less-than-one-percent” who were held truly accountable for the freedoms we all enjoy. You went to war, you were badly injured, and it changed you. Forever.
Returning to the land you defended wasn’t easy either, and depression, anger – sometimes rage – and suicidal thoughts have haunted your existence and led to legal issues and, on a very, very bad day, a pistol in your mouth. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – it’s very real, and, when it comes to military veterans, the affliction includes flashbacks to crippling experiences only combat veterans suffer.
You witnessed it. You heard, smelled, and felt it. You did it, too.
No two cases are the same. The terrors differ from one to another. And, on an average today, about 22 American veterans decide each day to take their own lives.
But then, Dirk, you found something called TMS, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and those magnetic pulses have worked miracles and, damn straight, you’re happy to be alive again.
That’s why you’ve founded “Operation Veteran Payback,” a non-profit you hope will be able to offer EVERYONE everywhere the opportunity to investigate TMS so they can find out if the treatments are helpful for them like they have been for you. You’ve benefited from the science at a medical facility in Texas, and many more military veterans, members of local law enforcement agencies, and others have been treated when the TMS therapy clinic in Barnesville was operational.
Today, though, the clinic Barnesville is closed. Equipment was moved to the Youngstown area. There’s more demand there, you’ve been told.
But have no fear, Dirk is here. Right? And you’ve called “B.S.”
That’s why you’re fighting for funds so the technology can be purchased, installed, and utilized throughout this region. Your success in Harrison County has been lifesaving, to claim the least, for veterans, yes, but for many other individuals, too. Trauma, unfortunately, isn’t very picky or predjudice when it comes to negatively impacting people, and that’s why TMS therapies is something that needs to spread not only here in our valley but throughout our country, as well.
The TMS program, in fact, should be the last leg of the overall mission for every soldier returning home from “over there,” and it should be purchased and distributed by the American government and made available to ALL in need.
Let’s pray we get there, Dirk, and in the meantime, please keep being you, and please continue your “Payback” mission. We’re here to help.
Sincerely,
We Salute You
