Overcoming my Depression (and how the V.A. & Schooling helped)

in #veterans5 years ago (edited)

Look, I'm a cynical guy. And sometime I come across as a person playing both sides of the field. But there has been a lot of damage done to me over the years that almost became irreversible. When you grow up in the slums of Las Vegas NV don't expect rainbows or sunshine to ever appear. You are there because you fucked up in a past life. So tough it out kid. At least that is what I tell myself everyday to justify my upbringing. Then at 17 the military provided me with the perfect escape. The only place Hate belongs in America is Sin City. You'll understand that sentence if you are a good person spending at least a year in this town. My path towards the dark side was nearly complete......

Until I came across a little program known as Vocational Rehab sponsored by the Veteran Affairs. And let's not forget to applaud the great people working at the school, University of Phoenix that voc rehab is paying for. Being able to atten the school is a load off my shoulders. Here's why: You see, when a veteran receives cash compensation benefits they are back-payed from the time waited when applied, until awarded. But back in 2013 the Veteran's Affairs made sure to pump us all up with many different pills in order to get their greedy little hands back in out pockets in whatever way possible. I was awarded my first back-pay that year. There was a second one because my disability rating started at 70%. My second back-pay went to clearing a lot of debt. But my first back-pay of over $10,000 USD was extorted by a fellow veteran named Nate Mandarich. I wasn't thinking clearly at the time being prescribed 14 meds, so of course I just let it happen. Even after I told the police. Who also just let it happen. Urgh I don't even want to mention the LVMPD. They allowed a stolen a firearm of mine to get away in 2014. Attempted to accuse me of 'Narcotic Pill cases' in 2016 (Dibs-shit's don't know I've worked close with the feds and CCHR against pills lol). Not to mention other corrupt public service members like Judge Martin D Hastings. Who likes to falsely imprison people. Stories for another time.

In distress I turned to making music. And even making an album. But that didn't turn out all to great. Open Mic crowds gave me a less that natural response. There were no paid gigs. Streams are still at an all time low. Always have been. Steemit, Choon and MINDS are the only places that show true love to my craft. And for that you all know I'm always grateful. Once the rest of the world switches to blockchain everything should be better. But when is that going to be? 10, 20, Maybe 30 years from now? I'm a white guy making hip-hop for goodness sake. Unless I stick out like a sore thumb no one outside of here seem to be into it. Ironic how that works. My style is the complete opposite. I want to become "they spy who never was." You get the picture.

So I'm broke. Career down the drain. Living paycheck to paycheck. Then here comes this little neat laptop that literally just lands on my lap. Curiosity of Voc Rehab. Hey, I like music and all don't get me wrong. And I'll still continue to make it from time to time. Must tell you my real passion is information technology. That is why I've chosen that degree path. Now, not only is this tax payed laptop going to get my through school, I can also use it to smoothly promote my album. Potently earning a steady income during my education. With another passion of mine none the less. Life is good.

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All we need is for STEEM to boom and we'll be all set :P

LV is a tough city, I have visited there to play poker over the last several years pretty regularly and it always seems to get the best of me. Too much degeneracy in one place.

no kidding huh? I'm super close to filling for bankruptcy for my house so I can just bounce out of here.