My name is Arthur Mills. I’m an active duty Army Warrant Officer – but for only a few more days. I’m being medically retired due to service-connected injuries (90 percent VA disability). I wish I can serve another 21 years but my body has different plans.
When I was medivaced from Afghanistan, I thought my primary career (Soldier) and my secondary career (novelist) were over. Through time, I partially recovered but not enough to remain in the Army. Nerve damage, acephalgic migraines with persistent visual and audial disturbances, neck and back pain were too much to bear.
However, I use speech recognition software to “write” my books that feature strong anti-bully and suicide awareness themes. I may not be able to serve my country with guns any longer, but I can still serve my country with my writing.
However, I'm not out of the woods yet. Civilian medical bills and late mortgage payments have piled out. I received my final foreclosure notice a few days ago. Now my family and I will be the next statistic! If I can beat four combat tours and an onslaught of medical issues, I can beat the statistics as well.
Just comes to show, where there is a will, there is a way.
Lacey, WA
