ANN REEDER
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27550 Hillcrest #3M E-mail annmarie610@hotmail.com My name is Ann Reeder a disabled veteran that “suffers” with PTSD and other disabilities. I served in the U.S. Army from 1982-1987. I am also a survivor and currently in therapy for Military Sexual Trauma. I am a member of the Veterans of West Los Angeles Alumni Association and founder of the “Women Veterans Esteem Program” under this Organization. I have recently began a Women Veterans Unity Support Group that meet every last Thursday of the month to provide support and unity among women veterans. I am a life member of AMVETS, a member of the Citizens for Veterans Rights (CFVR), and a student at Saddleback College, with a major in Human Services: Drug and Alcohol and Women Studies. From the time of the MST incident in 1984, my life and my status as a woman in the armed forces took on traumatic changes. I found ease and comfort with alcohol. It was a 20 year battle that ultimately lead to drug addiction. I spent 10 years in and out of V.A. psyche wards, homelessness, rehabilitation and jails. I must admit the V.A. offered me what was available, but unfortunately there were no women resources or specialized medical facilities available. Therefore my issues became compounded with the lack of treatment available for women. I was recently discharged from the V.A. on January 5, 2005, and it was as difficult as my past admittance. Women are not able to lock or secure the doors to the rooms that we occupy. The only thing that had changed was the fact that we now have an active women’s clinic. However it is shared with other clinics, so when I walk in, there are times, where men are monopolizing the clinic. It is important that the public and all entities of working America get involved and provide contributions and support to prevent homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction and give immediate attention to gender issues in the veterans community. I am firm in my stand to do what I can to provide the past, present and future women of the armed forces, with resources and a intervention plan for the women to have a way to cope with any issues during the transition from military to civilian life. It is also my mission to ensure that the women who have served are prepared and receive empowerment to cope with communities and neighborhoods . There has to be changes in the Veterans Administration System, whether disabled, distressed, despondent, helpless, hopeless, or homeless I believe that women veterans need to have an abundance of resources, information, awareness, and support without encountering discrimination in their access to care. 27550 Hillcrest #3M E-mail annmarie610@hotmail.com
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