Some Iraq Veteran

So I go to the VA hospital today, and it’s the first time I’ve been there.  I have to visit the main hospital first, and man let me tell you, it’s the saddest place I’ve ever been in.  From the very moment I walked in I saw just a sea of people – vets from all eras, in a variety of conditions.  The place is very large, but it’s not large enough.  They have attempted to maximize the space, and have resorted to rather creative means to do so.

I was just there for X-Rays, but I’ve heard and read the horror stories of dealing with VA staff.  I looked over the throng of people and made out the information desk off in the distance.  The two people there looked very busy, but it only took a few moments for me to move up in line.  As I stood waiting my turn I observed how helpful and patient they two were in dealing with the older vets in front of me.  When my turn came the helper even managed a short laugh, commenting that from the expression on my face he could tell where I needed to go – and he was right.  He gave me directions and off I went, wondering how he managed to stay chipper with all that he dealt with.

I made my way to X-Rays and was greeted immediately by another helper.  She took my information and told me to have a seat.  I settled in, thinking “this is the government, it will be awhile.”  Less than five minutes later the guy who takes the X-Rays (radiology techs?) called my name.  He was older than me, maybe mid to late 40s, and very pleasant.  He was training someone that day, and I could hear him behind the screen saying things like “you see, these poor guys have to carry tons of weight for years, and it all settles here on this spot” (presumably he was pointing at a spot on my x-ray), and “the beating these guys get on their bodies is rough, so you have to take the pic this way” (guess he meant aim the x-ray thing a certain way).  He said it loud enough for me to hear him, and I think he meant it to demonstrate the respect he had for the service members he worked on.

The guy also has tremendous passion for his job.  He kept talking about getting the “money” shot on certain x-rays, and would retake them.  Now granted, hearing the term “money shot” while one is lying on one’s side on a bed, with pants down around knees, in the fetal position, knees to chest, is a little bit alarming.  But again, he was referring to the quality of his work and it’s obvious he loved his job.

Great, so far.  My experience with the main hospital was sad, but I was overjoyed with how I and the people I observed were treated.

Now, fast forward two hours later.  I have an easy appointment over at a brand new clinic.  The place is so lax that there are maybe 10 cars in the front of the lot, and I park right up front.  I walk in and there’s one older vet waiting and myself.  I look up and behind the counter is a creature I am far more familiar with: the pinched expression, wrinkles around the mouth from too much smoking and frowning, the condescending demeanor, the ubiquitous bouffant hairdo – this, my friends, is the stereotypical low-level government employee.  They may be beaten by their spouse at home, raising a grand-baby because their 16 year-old daughter ran off with a dealer; their son is in prison, and the employee herself has considered eating a gun on more than one occasion, but when they step behind that government-issued counter they…are…God.  “Crikey” I thought.

Rather than engage this creature directly, I simply handed over my paperwork.  I no longer say “good afternoon,” “how are you,” “how they hangin,” etc. to this type and I don’t expect them to use such niceties on me.  I was not disappointed.  The creature took the paperwork and started typing.  A few minutes later the paperwork was returned to me and I was instructed to have a seat.

As I sat there, I got the chance to see the creature in action.  First, one of the nurses/doctors came out with a patient and instructed the creature to reschedule her follow-up at a different time.  The creature proceeded to tell the nurse/doctor how upset another department would be, so the nurse/doctor stood there explaining to what is essentially the receptionist all the reasons why the rescheduling was necessary.  The nurse/doctor was obviously too young to simply say “Because I fucking said so.”  So I got to see the tug-of-war go on, with the creature finally muttering “well they won’t be pleased.”  Then I got to hear a phone call from a guy who had moved to the area recently and needed to transfer (or whatever it’s called) his benefits so he could see a doctor here.  The creature rattled off what sounded like a rule that had to be followed, and the phone number to call, and seemed exasperated the vet didn’t already know it.  There was no empathy, compassion, care if he even actually understood what she was saying.  Finally, a guy came in and needed an adjustment on his hearing aids and the creature initially told him no, because he didn’t have an appointment.  After a few moments, the vet remembered the name of the rep that told him to stop by and her response was “Well, he doesn’t have hours here so he has no business telling you that.”  She then goes on about how it’s putting everyone out by having to find time for someone to see this old vet.  Shit, I’m looking around and there’s me and one other guy there, and it’s only 2:00 p.m.

Why these people exist is beyond me.  Absolutely no care for the increased stress they cause in the lives of people who, quite frankly, don’t need it and sometimes aren’t in the best of shape to handle it.  She wasn’t the most awful employee or worst person I’d ever encountered, she was just the most prevalent government employee.  And that kinda sucks.

Blowing off steam, sorry.

-Dacker