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ALTON WILLIAMS, 42, ROBERSONVILLE
Health restored at the Greenville VA
When Alton Williams became sick in 2013, he struggled to breathe, to speak, and to swallow. He returned to his eastern North Carolina home, and in 2014 began receiving care at the Greenville VA Health Care Center. Specialists in physical and speech therapy, among others, helped him regain his ability to speak, to walk – and to live again.
“I am a whole lot better,” Williams, 42, says. “I am very grateful. Greenville offers doctors, and services, and that’s a big plus, not just to me, but to the community of Greenville.”
Williams served in 1993-1996, and after discharge, worked in the Carolinas before he was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in 2013. Sarcoidosis occurs when clusters of tissue form, often in the lungs. It causes symptoms like fatigue, fever, and difficulty breathing. For Williams, the condition also affected his nervous system.
After seeing time in Europe, and Turkey, Williams is glad to have the medical care he needs, without traveling long distances.
“I’m still recovering, and it’s a slow process,” he says, adding, “Before, I couldn’t even walk. Now with the help of the VA, I’m doing better. It’s a big help to us veterans.”
PETER JOHNSON, 71, EDENTON
New treatment eases pain
Vietnam War service meant Peter Johnson experienced tropical conditions, long periods of time on a river boat, stress, and exposure to chemicals including Agent Orange.
Although the war, and his service, ended many years ago, he still experiences the effects. Fortunately, he’s found innovative treatments at Greenville’s VA Health Care Center to provide relief for his pain and stress. The discoveries that are helping him, will also advance care for other veterans.
Johnson served from 1965 – 1969, when he experienced a head injury, in addition to exposure to Agent Orange. Those years affected him physically and mentally.
Spinal stenosis left him in severe pain that was unresponsive to traditional treatments. At the Greenville VA, he began an innovative program called “battlefield acupuncture.” This type of acupuncture uses small metal pins in the ears that relieve pain. He’s hoping this approach can be used for other veterans in pain.
He marvels at the improvement in his life since he began receiving care in Greenville. He went from unable to walk, to using a walker, and now, he’s “off the walker.” He’s fixed his deck, even painted his house. These activities were impossible when he suffered crushing pain.
“My doctors have gone above and beyond the call of duty,” he says. “The entire staff, whether they’re behind a desk, or greet you at check in, or check out, and the nurses at every clinic — I’ve never met more qualified and caring people. They can change veterans’ lives.”
GABRIELA GONZALEZ-SANTIAGO, 50, GOLDSBORO
Specialty care and online portal make all the difference
After her medical discharge, Gabriela Gonzalez-Santiago received care through the VA Medical Center in Durham, which required driving long distances. Follow-up appointments, and referrals, could take a full day, since she had to travel to them.
Since the Greenville Health Care Center opened, she says, “it’s awesome.”
The building offers visitors a positive ambiance – “it’s light and open” - but its location, and the specialties it houses, mean quicker access to the care veterans need.
Gonzalez-Santiago, who works as a veterans representative with the NCWorks Career Center, is the local veteran’s employment representative and disabled veterans outreach specialist.
“If I have a referral to another physician, it happens quickly, rather than after a long drive,” Gonzalez-Santiago says. She also appreciates the online portal, My HealtheVet. “I can refill my prescriptions when I need to, or change and appointment or ask a question using secure email,” she says. “You don’t have to wait on a phone call.”
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