A veteran helping others

I am currently a ‘Helping Neighbor’ at the Fallbrook Healthcare Foundation. I began monthly veteran workshops last year and now run individual appointments for veteran benefits.

I did not realize I had VA benefits coming to me while I was living in the streets for four years. I was suffering from mental illness and I sustained a serious head trauma due to an auto accident.

I then received help from numerous programs: Brother Benno’s, North County Interfaith, county Medi-Cal and County Medical Services (CMS).

The one that stood out the most was the Veteran Program in Escondido, which helped me attain my benefits.

After about a year and a half at this program I was sent down to Father Joe’s Villages where, through certain screening practices, I was found eligible for Social Security. After a year of living at Father Joe’s, I began my first benefits from SS and moved up here to Fallbrook to rent my very own, first apartment.

I now have three missions in my life: helping veterans retrieve VA benefits, helping victims of domestic violence and keeping my prayer ministry.

“Disabled” carries the words “is able,” which I believe means “being able to do much more.”

Steve Lavoie