VETERANS PRESS: Views from a veteran hospital waiting room

I recently spent some time in the “waiting room” for some lab work at Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Spokane, Wash., VAMC.

It was 7:58 on a Wednesday morning and I was sitting in the “lab work” waiting room. I was new to the VA medical system, but I want to get my VA Healthcare set up. This process required me to get some lab work before I was assigned a primary VA Doc.  

I had a short wait, but the moments that I sat their waiting for my name to be called gave a glimpse of a real-world cross-section of today's and yesterday's U.S. veterans.

The view I got showed me a lot. I looked around this room and I counted six walkers and three wheelchairs among the 15-20 veterans waiting for their names to be called. There were six women among this group seeking help.

The ages of the patients ranged from early 20s to a whole lot of gray hairs. 

Nobody looked happy to be there but is anyone ever very happy when visiting a medical facility. The medical staff were treating all with the dignity and respect they earned and deserved. No one waited very long.

Men and women of all ages but one thing in common: Everyone was hurting. Some had a small hurt, but many had big hurts, caused by living or serving. 

Makes you wonder, "What’s their story?" What life paths got them to this VA waiting room on this day? What choices did they make in their lives that got them into the military and did those choices lead them to this waiting room?

Whatever their choices or paths were, they were here today, looking for and getting help.

The waiting room message for me was, "Thank God and the USA we have our VA Medical Healthcare program to get them the help they need and the help they have earned."

Spend an hour in our VA waiting room and you will feel humbled and gracious for the folks that made their choices and the folks that come here every day to give them help and hope.

Thank you.