Ok, so, I don't know how many of you out there reading this are vets but I feel the need to share something about calling the VA. So, today I have my monthly therapeutic appointment with a wonderful Nurse Practitioner to discuss how I'm feeling and whether or not we need to make any adjustments to the multitude of medications I devour on a daily basis. I couldn't remember the exact time and couldn't find the convenient mailing that they send out to remind me of the appointment, and for some reason I forgot to put it on my calendar, so, I decided to call the VA to get the time. So here is basically the chain of events when placing a call to the VA.
First, they tell you to listen carefully as their options have recently changed. Now, I have been calling the VA for years and they must be changing them sum bitches constantly because this little quote has been a staple of the standard recording for as long as I can remember.
Second, they tell you that if this is an emergency to please hang up and dial 911. Really? Does this mistake happen that often? "Oh shit, I'm bleeding out, let me look up the VA in my contacts and call them because it would be so much easier". Whatever.
Third, they tell you that if you need to reach the suicide hotline to please hang up and dial 1-800 whatever. Alright, now you've got somebody on the edge, they call the VA for help and are basically being told you've got the wrong number. WHAT THE FUCK!!! Are you telling me that with technology today that the VA can not offer a connection to a suicide counselor by pressing 8? I mean really, do away with the fucking Spanish version because if you are a vet you probably learned to take orders in English at some point.
Now, finally if you have manged to survive listening to all this bullshit without hanging up and dialing the suicide hotline, you do finally get to some options. Imagine my surprise when I selected my option and a live person answered the phone. I was so dumbfounded that I told the person I was not expecting to have to speak and they replied that they could hang up if I wanted, jokingly of course. So, I got my question answered and will be leaving directly after this post to get my head shrunk.
Thank you and have a nice day :-)
No comments:
Post a Comment