We’ve just lodged a formal complaint with the Commonwealth Ombudsman regarding DVA (Department of Veterans Affairs).

After Iraq my story is pretty typical, years of heavy meds, hospitalisation, lost relationships, you know how it goes.

Five years ago DVA's refusal to fund a medication that actually worked led to a police apprehension. That's when I decided no other veteran or family should go through what mine did.

Based on official Australian Government data, an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 veterans are living with treatment-resistant PTSD and TBI, also impacting an estimated 500,000 plus family members.

Over the past 5 years we’ve written over 28 letters, a Royal Commission submission, a meeting with DVA's Deputy Secretary, maintained a social advocacy campaigns under Safer Veterans Australia and No More Zombie Veterans, with over 34,384 petition signatures….and now the Commonwealth Ombudsman, we’re not stopping there.

If you're a veteran or a family member affected by this — share this video. The Ombudsman needs to know how many of us there are.

Big shout out to Waves of Thinking (@waves_of_thinking) for getting into the water with me to capture this. 
Waves of Thinking is a surf therapy program based in the Illawarra of NSW,  using surfing and ice baths to support veterans and others living with mental health challenges, check them out at wavesofthinking.com.au 

#SaferVeteransAustralia #NoMoreZombieVeterans #DVA #PTSD #MedicinalCannabis #Veterans #Australia @waves_of_thinking @mattkeogh

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