Lansing native trio continues its marathon effort to raise awareness/funds for PTSD

For the second consecutive year, Denise Becker of Lansing and her daughters, Jennifer Becker and Jessica Verdon, ran the Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon in Chicago, IL in an attempt to raise awareness and funding for veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
With the help of family, friends and local businesses the trio was able to raise a total of $1,815, and with Becker Electric matching the donations they were able to give a total of $3,630 to the Allamakee County Veterans Affairs Office. The money is designated for helping veterans who are having trouble with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
"The efforts of Denise and her daughters are immeasurable," said Heather Homewood, Director of the Allamakee County Affairs Office, who was presented the donated funds by Bob Peters, father of Denise Becker and a retired Marine. "Not only did she raise a monetary donation to help veterans and their families with PTSD and TBI education and awareness, she also gave us her finisher medal from the marathon to display in our office. I think this medal, as well as her donation, means more than could be imagined. Her medal is a symbol of a mother's love and dedication to her son, to all service members and all veterans. It symbolizes her family’s long struggle to ensure that veterans get a fair PTSD evaluation before discharge, and for the fair treatment that a veteran should receive after their discharge. I feel honored to have this medal hanging in my office, as her first medal hangs in the office of Congressman Walter Jones of North Carolina."
Becker worked with Congressman Jones on the pre-discharge evaluations for PTSD and later he had language signed into law in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act concerning treatment for returning troops suffering from PTSD and TBI.
Homewood explained that the funding raised and donated through the efforts of Becker's family this year will be used to purchase materials that focus on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), another key injury that troops are returning with. "We have seen a considerable increase in cases of TBI and PTSD in the past few years and feel that these are topics that people should all be aware of," Homewood explained. "Family members should especially understand what returning veterans are going through and help them in their transition into civilian life. It is also helpful to have support in any recovery they may need, as that support is a much-needed part of their healing processes."
Similar funding raised last year by Becker and her daughters in their inaugural marathon effort was used to purchase quick books on such subjects as PTSD, Stress Management, Suicide Prevention, Anger Management, and Depression for veterans and their families, as well as to pay for the shipping of the "Tears of a Warrior" books distributed by the Veterans Affairs Office. These books are available to veterans and their families to help them understand signs and symptoms, as well as provide some resources for help and coping strategies.
In trying to do her part to help veterans, Becker places a firm belief in a statement once made by Robert F. Kennedy, which reads, "Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope... and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."
"There is still such a stigma surrounding the diagnosis of PTSD/TBI and there is a long way to go before all branches of the Armed Forces recognize these diagnoses and treat them appropriately," Becker commented. "So until then, we as a society have to take care of our own, be their 'tiny ripple of hope' and help them fight the fight to knock down the walls of resistance."
To further support the need for continued focus on PTSD and TBI issues, Becker cites recent studies that show one in three veterans now suffers from PTSD or major depression, where three years ago it was only one in eight. She further cites statistics from the Department of Veterans Affairs that state there are over 1,000 suicide attempts monthly by this country's veterans and 18 of them are successful.
"The stress related to extended and repeated deployments is taking its toll," she explains. "Did you know that, according to studies, 78% of Marines and soldiers have witnessed the death of a friend and 56% of them have had to kill another person?"
Becker says the wait to be seen by the Veterans Affairs Department is yet another bump in the road to recovery, pointing out that the federal courts have ordered the Veterans Affairs Department to “dramatically overhaul its mental health system”. "I wish there was more we could do, as there are so many soldiers and Marines suffering from PTSD/TBI, but if we can make a difference in just one life it will be worth it. (The 1/2 marathon distance of) 13.1 miles seems so insignificant compared to the daily struggles they endure," she explains.
Anyone who knows of a veteran or veterans family who may be struggling with PTSD/TBI and is not receiving the appropriate care is asked to call Becker at 563-535-3098 or their local Veterans Affairs Office for assistance in guiding them to the appropriate path for treatment.