I was recently kicked out of the VA in Somersworth for not being able to wear a mask. It wasn’t a political statement. Due to medical reasons, primarily PTSD, I cannot wear a mask. For reasons that I’m not completely understanding, putting one on causes me great anxiety and could induce a panic attack.
I’m also an Epileptic, and any severe panic attack puts me at risk for having a seizure, something I haven’t had in many years.
It’s not that I was refusing. I cannot wear one.
I was there to see a doctor because I had recently developed symptoms that made me concerned that I might have a form of cancer. (No reason to get into further details.)
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I was a Paramedic for 20 years, and I know a little about medicine, but that doesn’t make me a doctor, which is why I was at the VA Clinic to see one. I was confronted by several staff and nurses in the lobby, and they kept trying to hand me a mask.
They showed no compassion for what I was trying to explain. Whatever happened to “Do no harm.” The doctor wouldn’t even come out to talk to me.
Ultimately, this 100% Disabled War Veteran was ordered to leave the building (or put a mask on.) This whole thing was done in the waiting room, in front of other patients. I walked out, embarrassed, nearly having a panic attack just from that, and so ashamed.
I had been going to the Somersworth VA since returning from Afghanistan in 2012, and this was the first time I was ever kicked out.
I walked to my truck in shame and wept a few tears. I was there for help, for a serious matter, and here I was, feeling broken.
I know that some of you are going to say or think that I was risking other lives. In fact, the nurse, whose name I won’t say, said, “you are risking other people’s lives.” My immediate response to him was, “if you thought that was true, you wouldn’t be wearing this piece of garbage mask; you would be wearing an N95 or N100 mask at a minimum, and so would everyone else.”
I did make a complaint all the way up to the Director of the Manchester VA, Kevin Forrest, who I understand is a good man and a decorated Veteran himself. I wanted to speak to Mr. Forrest directly, but I was told that I could not, and I understand, as he is commanding a large organization and is a busy man. Ultimately, I was told that the rules are no mask, no entry, no exceptions.
I gotta say, I’m so glad that during my 14 years as a Police Officer and over 10,000 vehicle stops, I didn’t have to ticket everyone driving above the speed limit by even 1 mile an hour. I’m so glad that I was given that great power called “discretion.” But maybe I was wrong and should have ticketed everyone, no exceptions, because you know what they say, “Speed Kills.”
But no matter what the Government ever requires of us, we will never FORCE our customers to wear ANYTHING, including a mask, to enter our shop. And if you choose to wear a mask or any appliance, we respect you, it’s your choice, and we are totally good with that!
Rob Russell is a disabled Afghanistan veteran a former Police officer, and the owner of 2A Tactical in Barrington, NH.
