The letter for retired master corporal Kevin Clark arrived Monday at his father's home near Oromocto, N.B. Clark had been there for two weeks taking care of his mother, who is in hospital.
The Canadian Forces Ombudsman recently determined that Clark, a combat veteran, had been mistreated by DND officials and officers after he was forced from his job counselling soldiers with post-traumatic stress. After a five-year investigation Ombudsman Pierre Daigle recommended the Canadian Forces and DND apologize and help Clark, who himself suffers from PTSD. DND and the Canadian Forces have refused.
The new development in Clark's story comes as Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Steven Blaney, Minister of Veteran's Affairs, joined military leaders in Ottawa to praise how they treat soldiers with mental health issues.
"All of us, every Canadian Forces' officer, soldier, sailor, airman and airwoman, have a duty to make sure those facing mental health challenges get the help they need," Gen. Walter Natynczyk said in a statement.
Clark said he was taken aback by the DND letter. "Right now I'm trying to find a nursing home to put my mother in," he explained. "Talk about getting kicked when you're down."
Clark tried twice on Monday to call the DND official who mailed the letter,but he got only voice mail.
In an email Monday sent in response to the Ottawa Citizen's questions about this latest development, the Defence Department stated "senior leadership is hearing about this allegation for the first time. We take it seriously and we are investigating."
Clark said he would pay the DND the money because he can't take the risk his credit rating will be adversely affected. "I've built up my credit rating to a good standing so I can't afford for them to destroy it," he added.
In two separate reports, Daigle determined that managers from the Operational Stress Injury Social Support program, the organization whose job is to help soldiers suffering from mental-health issues, unfairly treated Clark and another soldier, both of whom are who are dealing with PTSD.
In a letter sent several months ago, Rear Admiral Andrew Smith, chief of military personnel, told Daigle that the Canadian Forces rejected the findings and that the ombudsman had no jurisdiction to even look into the complaints from the two combat veterans.
An official with Daigle's office says discussions are ongoing with DND but added the ombudsman has no intention of backing away from his recommendations.
Original Article
Source: windsor star
Author: David Pugliese
No comments:
Post a Comment