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SOLDIER'S MOM SAYS SON DENIED TREATMENT FOR PTSD --

He has checked himself back into Samaritan Hospital

without authorization from the military.

 

Matthew Afuola

 

Story here... http://www.newswatch50.com/mostpopular/
story.aspx?content_id=451f5fd6-e898
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Story below:

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Soldier's mom: son denied treatment for PTSD

The mother of a Fort Drum soldier claims her son is being harassed by the military instead of being treated for the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder he developed in Afghanistan.

Among the most severe of her charges is that her son was intentionally sent into combat with an inoperable rifle.

Emily Afuola, Newark N.J., spoke to reporters Thursday at the Different Drummer Internet Cafe at Watertown's Paddock Arcade.

Also there was her attorney, Louis Font, who got national headlines as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam war.

Afuola said her son Matthew deployed to Afghanistan in early 2006 with the 10th Mountain Division.

While there he developed mental illness and asked to be sent home, she said. The request was denied.

Instead, Mrs. Afuola said, he continued to be sent into combat and at least twice was sent with a rifle that had its bolt removed and lacked any ammunition.

Matthew was sent home on leave in late 2006, was checked into Samaritan Medical Center and was diagnosed as having PTSD, she said.

Mr. Font showed NewsWatch50 an apparent doctor's diagnosis saying that Matthew did indeed suffer from the disorder.

Despite the diagnosis, Mr. Afuola and Mr. Font said, her son is being kept in quarters on Fort Drum and:

# Must check in every four hours and is reprimanded if he is late
# Is being denied a winter uniform. He left his winter uniform in Afghanistan, expecting that he would return their shortly.
# Is often being denied the escort he needs to get meals
# Is being denied any treatment for the PTSD.

"It's only a matter of time before my son commits suicide...my son is very sick," Mrs. Afuola said.

Mr. Font questioned whether there may be other soldiers sent into combat with disabled weapons.

"And that happened on at least two occasions where he went into combat even though he had mental health problems and they sent him into harm's way without a working weapon," Font said.

Mrs. Afuola speculated that higher ups disabled her son's weapon to prevent a "friendly fire" incident.

In recent days her son has checked himself back into Samaritan, without authorization from the military, she said.

NewsWatch50 submitted a list of Mrs. Afuola's allegations to Fort Drum for a response. Following is what we relayed, followed by their written reply.

Claim: That Matthew developed PTSD during his deployment to Afghanistan in 2006. Answer: We have no indication that Pfc Afuola was ever diagnosed with PTSD. He was referred for behavioral health counseling based on recommendations by medical professionals.

Claim: That he didn't get any treatment while on deployment. Answer: We are unaware of any counseling or medical treatment Pfc Afuola may have received while deployed.

Claim: That he was sent out on patrol with a non working weapon to avoid a friendly-fire incident. Answer: We have no information that Pfc. Afuola participated in military operations with an inoperable weapon. It is difficult to imagine a circumstance where a unit leader would allow such a thing to happen while in a combat zone. A Soldier suspected of being a danger to himself or others would ordinarily be restricted to an operating base or relocated to a rear position.

Claim: That he was returned to Fort Drum in November 2006 on leave and was diagnosed with PTSD at Samaritan Medical Center. Answer: Pfc. Afuola returned to Fort Drum on leave from Afghanistan in November 2006. He was retained at Fort Drum because of a potential disciplinary matter. We have no documentation indicating Pfc. Afuola was diagnosed with PTSD.

Claim: That he has not received treatment either on post or at Samaritan, which doesn't have a PTSD treatment program. Answer: Pfc. Afuola was admitted to Samaritan Medical Center for 10 days in December 2006. He was subsequently referred to participate in behavior health counseling on Fort Drum. Pfc. Afuola attended several of the initial counseling sessions, but failed to attend others as directed by his unit.

Claim: That he has been punished since his return by not being issued a winter uniform. Mom acknowledges that he left his winter uniform in Afghanistan because he thought he would be returning shortly. Answer: It is understandable that Pfc. Afuola may have left his heavy winter uniforms in Afghanistan when he returned to Fort Drum on leave. Army leaders take care of their Soldiers and ensure access to required Army-issued uniforms, and do not punish Soldiers for uniform issues beyond the Soldier's control.

Claim: That the Army seeks his discharge rather than provide him with treatment. Answer: Fort Drum is a leader in PTSD treatment and research and works in partnership with Yale University to study PTSD in active duty Soldiers. If Pfc. Afuola is discharged from the military he will be eligible for treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Larry Scott  --