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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/25/2013 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
My son has been diagnosed with Ulceratve Colitis while in the air force academy. They are trying to discharge him and he lost his first appeal. It is totally controlled with mesalamine. He has no restrictions with his activities. Does anyone know an air force member who has UC and remained in the air force.
Posted 7/25/2013 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
There was another individually on another popular UC site that was medically discharged due to Ulcerative Colitis but his case was not under control like your son's UC seems. Someone from that other site suggested people go to the PEB forum site for resources and to ask questions there. I've never looked at that site though so I'm not sure how helpful it might be.
Posted 7/25/2013 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Sometimes the army are a bunch of hypocrites. In times of war and in other countries if they need men for the army they would take your son with open arms regardless of his condition.

Now, because of bureaucracy and rules up the ying yang even a fully capable person that WANTS to be in the army has to fight through courts to stay in the army. The world is messed up.

I was reading some rules for discharge and one I thought was funny.

"Unexplained loss of a testicle. Basically if you show up to a medical test and you're missing a testicle, that could be grounds for a discharge even if you're perfectly healthy. This is a true story."

A bunch of ****ing idiots.


Try to show up in the army with an ostomy bag or a J pouch. They'll send you packing with a quickness, regardless how fit and normal you think you are.

They want the best of the best and fittest of the fittest to run day in and day out the roads in Afghanistan, then if you're unlucky to die to an improvised road mine, well that's too bad for you. Tnank you for your service. Well guess what, a fit person with an ostomy bag or a j pouch can do the exact same thing and die for his country. But in the eyes of the army, that isn't good enough.
Posted 7/25/2013 2:13 AM (GMT 0)

Healthywish said...
My son has been diagnosed with Ulceratve Colitis while in the air force academy. They are trying to discharge him and he lost his first appeal. It is totally controlled with mesalamine. He has no restrictions with his activities. Does anyone know an air force member who has UC and remained in the air force.

Sorry to hear that. There are plenty of roles that remain on the ground. I flew 2000 hours around chicago in all weather but I was young did not have UC. Now would be fine except the start of flares would be impossible.
Posted 7/25/2013 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks. Will check out PEB forum. He still has another appeal process and am not sure how to help him approach that. A second opinion but if things look good is it because of the medication or possibly a misdiagnosis?
Posted 7/25/2013 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
I think they can discharge him for whatever reason they want, medically.

I am sorry...it's not easy to be accepted into the Academy.

It's quite an accomplishment!

Your son must be an exceptional young man.

I wonder if they will subsidize his college expenses to another school? 

Doubtful, but you should ask anyway.

 

Posted 7/25/2013 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, he worked hard to get in and had an outstanding first year.I think he gets the GI Bill if he is medically discharged but am unable to access the site. He needs to register. He has been busy finishing his survival course and jump school. He is on his way back from his hearing at Lackland AF base. I will let him know about these sites and see where it goes.
Posted 7/25/2013 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear. I think their opinion is that UC is a chronic lifelong disease with periods of flares and periods of remissions and often meds can keep you in remission for a while and then stop working. I don't think they want to deal with that. Good luck though.
Posted 7/25/2013 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. Sounds like they can discharge your son as I've seen posts like this from time-to-time. Here are a few I dug up in a search:


Can I join the military? (air force)
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=2290789

UC and the Air Force
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1535443

Air force med board?
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1317796
Posted 7/25/2013 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the search. Do second opinions with outside GI that show improvement help? He has one more appeals process and will have some time to get this done. He is asymptomatic at this time even after a very stressful first year at the USAFA.
One person offered to contact them at their email. I do not see how to get their email. Can I get it from this site?
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