Why Judge My Book By My Cover

Here is a link to my blog at the White House  http://www.whitehouse.gov/champions/blog?page=1

 You can also read it below. It was an amazing experience. I will blog soon about the other Award winners and amazing Women Veterans I met last week.

I was a U.S. Army Nurse Corps officer and trauma nurse. I loved and valued the times I was able to care for seriously wounded soldiers, and remember vividly the lives my team and I saved in Afghanistan. I also conducted presence patrols in and around the city of Ghazni, Afghanistan. Situated on a plateau in the central region of Afghanistan, Ghazni has a population of about 140,000 people and a long history of military invasions.

On one patrol, I was the figure of intrigue. A small tribe of local school girls approached me and giggled as I patrolled the area. Their eyes ranged in color from deep blue to light green and seemed large, hidden behind their head scarfs. They were fascinated by my appearance. I was female. My brown hair was tucked and braided under my kevlar helmet. I wore boots and had two weapons. Although I was able to smile at them briefly, I knew that my job was to help my fellow soldiers and scan for potential threats while patrolling the province.

With the interpreter at my side, the girls followed us for hours asking questions such as what my patch meant, had I gone to school, for how long, was I married, did I have children? I was probably an odd spectacle in their life. Yet I hoped with every answer I gave, that they too would be encouraged to go to college, become women leaders, and maybe even be nurses.

When I left the Army and transitioned to my new life as a veteran, I took those experiences and promised myself that I would continue to pursue my personal tradition of service in my community. I became a board member, then vice chair, of Cuidando los Ninos (CLNKids.org). CLNkids is a non-profit dedicated to address the needs of homeless families and ending childhood homelessness in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I work with legislators and local community members to educate them on homelessness and its far reaching effects in the community to include health and educational disparities, the rise of violence and PTSD, and how to work together as a community to end homelessness.

In addition, I am currently the vice executive director of the national organization American Women Veterans. The core mission of American Women Veterans is advocacy on behalf of military women, veterans and their families. Through speaking engagements and interviews with various groups, I explain the role of military women, as well as advocating for veteran issues such as PTSD and women in combat on a national and state level.

I enjoy the mentorship that comes with working with this organization. Through this advocacy work, I am able to connect with other service women, including amazing women like Genevieve Chase, our executive director. Genevieve is full of thoughtful ideas, challenges, and goals, such as how to build our board of directors or how to become more involved with advocacy at various leadership conferences around the nation. These suggestions sometimes overwhelm me and at other times inspire me to accomplish more, such as when I helped with the New York City Veterans Day parade.

In November of 2012, I helped coordinate American Women Veterans participation in the New York City Veterans Day parade. I gathered over twenty women veterans from various cities across the country. Throughout the day we marched, passed out fliers, stickers, and mementos, and were greeted along the streets of New York by other women veterans lost in the crowd of smiling faces, searching for a glimpse of recognition that they too served in the military side-by-side with our brothers at arms.

Often women veterans go unrecognized in the general public. While male veterans often wear hats proclaiming their service, women have no badge or insignia to signify their service, but instead work to find a balance between career and home life, while finding a new identity as a veteran and civilian. At times their transition can be lonely.

Most women are not recognized as serving in the military, let alone serving in combat. This can also cause delays in treatment when going to the Veterans Administration. I once experienced the frustration of overhearing an older male at the VA hospital while waiting for a dental exam. He said, “look at this young girl, probably here for her free teeth cleaning after doing her four years.” I was angry initially: who was this man to judge me? I am a veteran just like him, having served in multiple deployments. Why judge my book by my cover?

During the Veterans Day Parade, I was able to chat with Vickie, a fellow American Women Veterans member and United States Navy Veteran. Vickie is very involved in her community and is one of the first women I ever met at American Women Veterans. Whenever I see her, she calls me “little one,” like an older sister would. She continues to volunteer in and around NYC and at the VA in Bay Bridge. She works in counseling and understands, as I do, the challenges women veterans encounter. She wears a US NAVY ball cap to events we attend together and I can tell that, in her own way, she tells the world “I am a veteran.” She continues to remind me why I work so hard to advocate for change.

If Genevieve, Vickie, and I do not speak out for women veterans, I sometimes wonder who will. They, as well as other mentors in my life, serve as my personal motivation to keep working and striving, and to be that voice and advocate for change. All in a day’s work for this veteran.

White House

Leaving Sunday for my trip :)

I'm so excited! I will post everything on the 19th. Remember, it's women's History Month. Here is a good website to check out:http://womenshistorymonth.gov/

Many mentors inspire me. Who inspires you?

March is Allergy and Asthma Month

March is Allergy and Asthma Month

Allergies and Asthma

Here is a recent article I wrote for my new job. Enjoy

The Ides of March are rapidly approaching and with them the dreaded allergy season. Even saying the words make my eyes start to water and images of my sneezing in rapid succession come to mind. Allergies also referred to as seasonal allergies, such as Hay Fever and Allergic Rhinitis occur at certain times of the year. Most are caused by pollens from trees, grasses or weeds. At times mold spores can grow and cause additional problems for those who suffer from allergies. Common allergens in Albuquerque include: Arroyo willow, black willow, box elder and ash-leaf maple, annual ragweed, biennial wormwood, coyote brush and Bermuda grass to name a few. Pollen counts change daily. My go to spot to review the daily pollen count is www.pollenlibrary.com.

Most people breath in allergens and have no problem or minor symptoms but as many as 20% of people in all age groups have allergic rhinitis. Symptoms can range from nasal itching, discharge, sneezing, sore throat, hoarse voice, and itchy red eyes all of which are not conducive to having a great day.

The first thing everyone is cautioned about is to avoid their specific allergen. However, short of wrapping yourself in a bubble, it is difficult to go about your daily life and enjoy the great outdoors and avoid allergens. My suggestion is to do a little detective work. Try to identify what is your specific trigger. Is it the pollens (trees, grass, ragweed, tumbleweed) and insects in your local area (house dust mites, cockroaches, or ladybugs)? Are there animal allergens (skin, fur, feathers, saliva) or even molds in your home you were unaware of?

Your primary care provider will work with you to help identify triggers and can often suggest one or more medications.  These can include nasal glucocorticoid sprays, and antihistamines.  Your provider can also work with you to help find the best treatment, taking into account not only your allergy symptoms and severity, but also keeping in mind any other preexisting conditions you have that may exacerbate your symptoms such as asthma.

If symptoms are severe or persist, patients can be referred to an allergy specialist for further testing to identify the specific agent or agents causing the allergens. Allergy Shots can also be helpful for a certain group of patients. Allergy shots are injections that can make you less likely to have allergy symptoms. They are generally made to order, for each patient’s allergen triggers. They contain tiny amounts of elements that trigger and your allergy(s). Allergy shots are most effective for allergies to:

• Pollen from trees, weeds, and grasses
• Mold spores in the outside air
• Tiny insects found in dust also known as dust mites
• Tiny Flakes also known as dander from the hair, skin or fur from dogs or cats
• And stings from bees; honey , yellow jackets, hornets, wasps and in some cases even fire ants

It is important to know that Allergy Shots are NOT used to treat allergies to Latex, Medications or Food.

For many people Allergies and Asthma go hand in hand. Asthma is a disease that attacks the bronchial tubes. These tubes are responsible for carrying air in and out of the lungs.  Irritants and allergens can trigger these spaces to become inflamed, spasm and produce mucus.  These irritants can cause the airways to be narrowed and result in difficulty moving air in and out and subsequently breathing more difficult. Common symptoms of asthma include:

• Frequent cough, especially at night
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing

• Chest tightness, pain, or pressure

While not everyone with asthma has the same symptoms, it is important for patients to know their “triggers” and keep them to a minimum if possible.

Keep in mind early signs of an Asthma Attack:

• Losing your breath easily
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling very tired or weak when exercising, in addition to wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath
• Decreases or changes in peak expiratory flow; a measurement of how fast air comes out of the lungs when you exhale forcefully
• Signs of a cold or other upper respiratory infections, or allergies
• Frequent cough, especially at night
• Difficulty sleeping

Mild asthma episodes will usually respond to use of a rescue inhaler. More severe symptoms, or episodes that last longer require immediate help and you should be treated in the nearest urgent care or emergency department. 

I hope everyone goes outside, reads some Shakespeare and enjoys the day.