Sick Call:The Sick, Lame, and the Lazy!

Do you remember what sick call was like? For me, it was a nightmare that I lived through too many times. In Basic Training, the Drill Sargent would always refer to anyone that was hurt or sick, and went on sick call, as the Sick, Lame and the Lazy, and now, society still looks at it that way, if you miss a day of work, get hurt, or anything else, everyone still talks about you.

As much as I hate to, I have to say it, there are a lot of people who do fit in the Lazy group, and, it is probably the same in the VA, but as of yet, I don’t think I have met anyone like that. Military people in general are the hardest working, most team oriented people in the country, but yes, we do tend to party a bit too much, and that has added to our problems later in life, but, if anyone can overcome it, we can.

Anyone that thinks the government should control health Care in this country, needs to go ask a veteran at the VA how it is working for them, the one asking would quickly change their minds, but, I do not blame the doctors, nurses, or most of the people who work there, it is simply the size of the bureaucracy, the red tape, rules and regulations. I know that I appreciate what I get, even if it takes a long time, I am unable to work, have no income, but do not qualify for, nor would I accept, Medicaid, being able to go to the VA is something every veteran has earned, we bought and paid for it by giving our time, and for many, our body parts in service to our country.

Now that I am older, and in the VA system, I see first hand how many of us there must be, that have gotten old and out of shape, but I believe than almost anyone can get healthier with better eating habits, and some form of excersize, even if it is just moving a few feet at a time, yes, age, and health conditions do prohibit many from any serious activity, myself included, but, we can get better. Getting fit, does not mean that you have to pass a PT test, but, losing body fat will help anyone that is “over weight”, I hate that term, because weight is not what matters, it is that we are “over fat”! Remember that, lose fat, which is actually very light in actual weight compared to muscle, but, it adds weight in places that cause our posture to get bad, which by itself can cause injuries to feel worse than they actually are, I am hoping that is the case for me and that by losing fat, and exercising, I will once again be able to walk and stand for extended periods of time, which will add even more fat burning power to what I am able to do now.

If you are considering starting any type of activity, and you have health concerns, always talk to your doctor first, and if you experience any physical problems during exercise, go back and tell your doctor, he or she may be able to give you information that can help prevent injury, so just be safe, but get off your butts and move something!