Thank you for inviting me to your forum.

I had to learn other ways to deal with pain ... I refuse to consume corporate pills ...

My on/off chronic pain began in October 1975 ... training accident at Fort Monmouth, NJ in 1975 ...

... initial sick call treatment for injury was botched (I did not see a physician; window cleric relayed my complaint to a doctor who sent her back to receptionist office window with a prescription of penicillin (the first time in my life swallowing them) ... I suffered an allergic reaction about two days later and just stopped swallowing them ...

... the following weekend; my fiancé (we married after my Honorable Discharge) took me to an outpatient Veterans clinic; where I was evaluated by a doctor who told me I had a spinal injury ... the doctor kept the pills I was given and gave me medication for pain and a muscle relaxer

... the Veterans outpatient physician gave me a profile (disabled to do any physical activity) and highly recommended I immediately seek medical attention for my injury

... Mother and my fiancé contacted folks in their networks and I was Honorably Discharged, within 1 week

... in 1976 I was granted compensation for my injury and immediately join DAV Chapter 14 in Philadelphia