I grew up on a small farm in Illinois. I joined the Army in April of 1977, 4 months after turning 17 years old. Being only 17 years old, I had to sign up for 6 years. I did 3 years of active duty and 3 years of inactive reserves. I chose to be a helicopter mechanic for my profession. After basic training at Ft. Knox, KY. I went to Ft. Rucker, AL. for AIT, (Advanced Individual Training) and then to Fliegerhorst Kasern ( The Flyers Nest ) in the Hanua area of Germany. I was in Germany during the Iran hostage ordeal in 1979, I was 19 at the time.
I joined the active reserves in 1983 and was stationed at Scott AFB, IL. I went to Camp Shelby, MS. for PLDC, Primary Leadership Development Course where I was an honor graduate, I missed one question, I then went to Ft. Eustis, VA. for my second helicopter school also graduating with honors, a 99% average.
I had applied for a civil service job working on helicopters at Scott AFB and kept updating my application to boost my rating. I was called in several times for weeks at a time to help either my unit or the facility (civil service) when they were overloaded. The man that did the hiring for the facility called me into his office and told me the job was mine but he had to wait for my name to come down on a list, he had turned down 3 lists of names because I wasn't on them.
An injury to my neck and shoulder ended all of that in a blink. It was a freak accident but one that changed my life in so many ways. I have not had a pain free day since about 6:00 am on August 17th of 1989. My neck and shoulders were swollen, I couldn't look up or down or turn my head for 8 or 10 months. I had some physical therapy during my 11 day hospital stay. I didn't mind the soft tissue stretching when done by hand but traction was a whole other matter because it felt good while I was having it done, the after effects was beyond belief, severe pain and blinding headaches for days.
It took me another several months to get my muscles to relax and the swelling to go down. I finally got most of my mobility back but I was dealt a devestating blow in June of 2003. I found out that there were 6 bad disks, 3 in my neck and 3 in my lower back. The 3 in my lower back are from a fall I took while my neck and shoulders were still swollen. I almost went down a flight of 13 stairs head first when my knee buckled. I tried to sit down but my feet went out from under me and I bounced down about 7 or 8 step before I grabbed the rail. By that time I was going pretty fast so when I stopped, my whole body lifted and then dropped on the edge of a step.
Besides the 6 disks that I know about, I have osteoarthritis in both knees and shoulders. They're calling this DDD, Degenerative Disk Disease, I know that one day in the near future I'll be in a wheelchair or worse. I'll take another fall, move wrong or maybe just wake up and not be able to move on my own. That scares me and it makes me extremely angry, which is why I have chosen to write my book, set up a foundation and force the government to make changes in how things are done by V.A. I don't care how long or what it takes, I don't care if I have to stand on the floor of the House, the Senate or in the Oval Office. I've never been to Washington so let's get on with it!!!!!
Anyone that wants to add me as a friend can feel free to do so. I came here for the opportunity to advertise, network, make some friends and business contacts. In the few hours since I joined, I have had almost 30 invitations to be friends, a few personal messages and an invitation to join a forum, not too bad in my opinion. You can also join my forum by going thru my profile. By becoming a member of my circle of friends now, you will be able to say, "I was friends with Steve when he could barely afford to pay attention", after I'm famous...LOL.
PS: This is for all of my new friends. I am preparing for the fight of my life with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. I have another hearing in St. Louis on April 5th, I am in the process of setting up and incorporating my Foundation. I have been in contact with my Senators, Congressman and a Springfield Missouri news anchor among other things. If you invite me into your circle of friends or to a forum please be patient, I am not ignoring anyone. Now if you will excuse me, I have some elected officials to annoy...hehehe.