Profiling Veterans with PTSD
After serving our country and defending the freedom of this
nation, Veterans are faced with PTSD profiling. The stigma accompanying service-related
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a difficult obstacle for our Vets. Inaccurate and demeaning images of veterans
in the media are casting an undeserved shadow over our nation’s heroes. Veterans need our utmost respect and care,
instead of chastising them for injuries received while fighting our country’s
battles.
Earlier this year Kevin Bowlus’ case was dismissed in
Illinois after his testimony on being treated for PTSD.
“When she found out I was fighting for
my stepson and was being seen at the PTSD clinic she dropped representation the
day before a court hearing.”
-Kevin Bowles
Veterans often have their diagnosis used against them in
court violating their rights.
Kevin, a Navy Veteran is fighting for custody of his son and
his stepson due to an alleged unsafe environment caused by the children’s
mother. Absent till now, the biological father of the child has come forward. The child has been under Kevin’s primary care
since he was eight from infancy, till now.
In May, Kevin decided to end his alleged abusive r In May,
Kevin decided to end his alleged abusive relationship with his wife and the
children’s biological mother. Despite
the marriage ending, he still wants to continue as primary caretaker for the
children. He filed for a protective
order against the children’s mother and it's proving difficult for the courts
to see beyond the stigma and misunderstanding of his diagnosis. Not his actions, if it were for that he would
have his children.
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Photo courtesy of- www.umkc.edu
“The police didn't believe I was a
victim”
-Kevin says
After appearing before the judge, Kevin was awarded an order
of protection. When the police
attempted to serve her with the order of protection they
discovered she took the children. They
found
her in Kentucky with the biological father. The mother signed over her rights to the
biological father 10 days after the order of protection. Kevin’s estranged wife
was then severed the order of protection and Kevin was able to retrieve the
children. Kevin adds, “Thankfully the police here blocked their attempt to
recover my stepson citing the protection order.”
“I have been
attempting like hell to get help for these kids from all avenues of government
but here in Illinois stepparents have no rights.”
Kevin states
Image
courtesy of stopsoldiersuicide.org
Kevin is awaiting a hearing for the order of protection in
Illinois on July 8, 2014. Both children
are in Kevin’s custody pending the results of the court appearance. He expresses deep concern about the upcoming
court date stating, “It is boiling down that I may have to let this child go
with a person with a violent history, and no one willing to protect him.”
As of Friday, June 27th Kevin was still in search of an attorney
to help with his upcoming case in Indiana. “I am still scrambling to find
another one and with no funds that is kinda hard,” Kevin explained. Thankfully a caring team at the Veterans’ PTSD
Project and an anonymous donor has come together and to help cover the cost of
Kevin’s legal fees. This act of kindness from fellow Veterans and the donor
allows Kevin to have the proper legal representation in his pending case to
secure the custody of his son and stepson.
We are still awaiting the outcome of Kevin’s Bowlus’
upcoming court appearance. The fight for
this Veteran’s children could potentially boil down to the stigma of his
service-related injury overshadowing his ability to parent and care for his
children. As Americans we need to band
together and follow the lead of the Veterans’ PTSD Project and anonymous donor
and take a stand to help veterans in need. It’s time to stop profiling veterans and start
supporting America’s heroes.
Written by Rebecca
Monahan
Blogger & USMC
Wife
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