Welcome to
In January of 2005, “Our House” Foundation (OHF) was brought into existence and before long we legally became a 501(C)(3) non profit organization. Dr. Spilken, the Founder and CEO, quickly realized that the demographic that needed the most help was our newly disabled veterans.
Soon after deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan , many of these young men and women’s lives are suddenly and purposefully devastated by a plethora of exploding devices and assorted mutilating incidents. Worst of all, there are still not enough real support structures in place to help them re-acclimate successfully back into a healthy civilian life.
Although there are veterans’ hospitals in the state for the “more involved/serious” problems, the hospitals have not been able to transition the veteran from a war-time state of mind to a peace-time consciousness with its day-to-day stresses and concerns. Some organizations have implemented programs to help the disabled veteran however, their ideas have enjoyed limited success because the “entire / whole” of the veterans’ circumstances are not incorporated into their rehabilitation.
"Our House" seeks to restore the shattered lives of the men and women of our military who have returned home with serious disabilities. Through re-orientation and rehabilitation, "Our House" desires to educate, inspire, and empower.
The difference in our approach is in the environment. OHF’s mission is addressing the whole person – mind, body, their expression of spirit. Offering an experiential component will allow the veteran men and women the necessary freedom and time to heal, restore their life-equilibrium and self-esteem essential for their return to a more independent and productive life style..
03-03-2008
Public release date: 3-Mar-2008
Contact: Kelly Connelly
kconnelly@baycrest.org
416-785-2432
Head injuries result in widespread brain tissue loss one year later
May provide important clue to why patients are left with behavioral handicaps
Toronto, Canada – In a rare, large-scale study of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients who span the full range of severity from mild to moderate and severe, Canadian researchers have found that the more severe the injury, the greater the loss of brain tissue, particularly white matter.
15-02-2008
Soldiers Dying Of Accidental Overdoses
Recent Suicide Reports Casts Harsh Light On Prescription Drug Use In Treating The Wounded
The Army said officials had determined that among those troops there have been 11 deaths that were not due to natural causes between June and Feb. 5.
That included four suicides, three accidental overdoses of prescribed medications, three deaths still under investigation and one motor vehicle accident, the Army said.
15-02-2008
NPR - February 15, 2008
Soldier Loses Custody of Child After Tour
by Brian Mann
Brian Mann for NPR
National Guard member Tanya Towne says that losing custody of her son, Derrell, was "punishment" for serving in .
Morning Edition, February 14, 2008 · Advocates for military families say a growing number of soldiers are losing custody of their children, not because they're bad parents but because they've been deployed overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan.
A bill signed by President Bush last month strengthens protections for service members and their families. But legal experts say some military moms and dads are still vulnerable.
11-02-2008
Dear Friends and Defenders of Our Military and Country,
Abraham Lincoln spoke these words 145 years ago as the Civil War waged on and, they are as viable today as they were then:
“Let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.” President Abraham Lincoln, 2nd Inaugural Address
“Our House” Foundation believes there are ample reasons; benefits and economic justification for the Model Transitional Community: the center for excellence to be located and built in Springfield, Missouri. What are the reasons? Please continue reading.
On November 13,2007 CBS aired an investigative report entitled “An Epidemic of Suicide”. For the year of 2005 there were actually 6,256 suicides of those who served in the Armed Forces which is an average of 120.3 suicides per week in one year.
Read more...
22-01-2008
Partners of Veterans with PTSD: Caregiver Burden and Related Problems Jennifer L. Price, Ph.D. & Susan P. Stevens, Psy.D.
Introduction
A number of studies have found that veterans' PTSD symptoms can negatively impact family relationships and that family relationships may exacerbate or ameliorate a veteran's PTSD and comorbid conditions. This fact sheet provides information about the common problems experienced in relationships in which one (or both) of the partners has PTSD. This sheet also provides recommendations for how one can cope with these difficulties. The majority of this research involved female partners (typically wives) of male veterans; however, there is much clinical and anecdotal evidence to suggest that these problems also exist for couples where the identified PTSD patient is female.
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