Greetings Merced County Residents;
As a military family and a mother and sister to veterans I understand the trials and challenges to deal with our changed family members who return home after their service. My understanding is a bit clearer as I also served as a drill instructor and understand the indoctrination that changes the spirit of a human being and the challenge to find your spirit once service is over.
As a woman veteran I understand the challenges of being a woman service member and a person of color. There are many unspoken things that occur during our service that is often times not shared to our family members. We often live with our experience in silence due to the way military injuries are viewed and addressed within our communities.
I have been an advocate for veterans for over 30 yrs. as many people assume that the V.A. takes proper care of us and notices our needs. Although many the V.A. has taken many strides to improve services many need assistance to ensure our loved ones are taken care of appropriately.
We often agree to what we are told and accept treatment they offer without question. As family members it becomes important to learn how to be a good advocate and speak up for what is needed even when it goes against their protocol.
Having to fend for myself as my own advocate after my return from Iraq, and then again for my Marine, brain injured son, I learned that the V.A. is capable of taking care of veterans in the way that is required and sometime make exceptions to rules when it is necessary.
V.A. advocates can sometimes be quick to tell you why you can’t do something instead of finding a way to make something happen. It becomes important to know the rules yourself to become that strong advocate. I continue to be an advocate when asked and answer questions.
Feel free to contact me if you have questions.
ELI PAINTEDCROW (Maya/Yaqui) Eli is from the Yaqui Nation in Tucson, Arizona. She is a retired Army Veteran, a mother of two sons, and a grandmother of eight. She currently lives in the Central Valley of California. Eli’s current work is centered on helping women remember and find their sovereignty and purpose.
- Ceremonialist, Indigenous Medicine
- Facilitator and Teacher, Women’s Sovereignty & Purpose
- Founder and Advocate for Peace, Turtle Women Rising (TWR)
- Co-Founder, Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN)
- United States Army Retired (E-7)
- Drug & Alcohol/Dual Diagnosis Counselor, Intervention Specialist
- Social Worker, Adult Protective Services (APS), Child Protective Services (CPS)
- Social Worker, Health Department in California
- Associate Director/Advocate, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault agencies
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