February 15, 2025 • 47 mins
In this episode, PO2 Lindy Ayers-Mattingly, a vibrant and active Coast Guard veteran, saw her life drastically change after reluctantly receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in September 2021 under pressure and threats of dishonorable discharge. Soon after vaccination, Lindy experienced severe health issues, including heart palpitations, muscle tears, and debilitating symptoms that now require her to use a wheelchair and depend on her husband, PO1 Mike Mattingly, for 24/7 care, forcing him to leave his military career as well. Despite receiving 100% disability from the VA, the designation as "chronic fatigue due to residual of the vaccine" rather than vaccine injury has denied Mike caregiver benefits, leaving the couple to spend their life savings on uncovered treatments. Sustained by their faith, Mike and Lindy urge other struggling veterans to seek solace in God, while her story raises critical questions about accountability, veteran care, and societal responsibilities toward those who serve. Please join us to hear Lindy and Mike's heart wrenching story.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
There's men and women all around who fought and died
for your freedom and it's realfucked up how the government
treats them.
They just sit back and theywon't even feed them.
They lay on the ground feelingdefeated.
Lord, they paid their dues andthey beat the enemy while
they're all alone fighting PTSDBecause freedom ain't free, but
(00:24):
in reality, you entitled holesare handed everything.
We should all rise up and alljust agree the division ain't
the way that it's supposed to belord.
It's a damn shame what theworld's gotten to.
We, the people like you, and we, the people like me, should
(00:47):
just wake up and realize it'strue, cause it is oh, it is
Living in a new world With anold soul.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Hello and welcome to the Veteran's Show.
Thank you for listening.
We know you could be doinganything else on a Saturday
night, but you're sittinglistening to us and we thank you
.
I'm Jeff and I'm here with mybeautiful, wonderful wife Laura.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
Hello.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
We wanted to thank producer Michelle and WCBM for
letting us have this opportunityto do this at this time, and
then for Officer Carrie for ourbumper music.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Thank you Always providing us good music and
tailor it to the show.
So we do thank Officer Carriefor doing that, and I know she
really enjoys it.
If you are new to the VeteransShow, we open up each show with
a prayer, so, if you can, canplease bow your heads with us.
Heavenly father, all glory toyou.
(01:49):
Father, tonight I lift up.
First, I beg for peace for yourpeople, israel, and then,
second, father, I lift up all ofthe hearts out there that are
hurting, that are dealing with aheavy moment in their life.
I beg that you put your wisdominto them, your peace into them
(02:12):
and your strength.
So many people are enduring somuch.
You know what they're goingthrough.
You too have suffered so much,greater than anything we ever
could.
So, father, show us how toendure and just protect those
people and give them some relief, if it's your will.
(02:34):
Father, thank you for all youdo, and I pray all of this in
your son's name, my Lord andSavior, jesus Christ, the risen
King.
Amen.
We do thank everybody forjoining us tonight.
You know you could be doinganything on a Saturday, but
you're here with us and wereally appreciate that.
It means a lot to hear thestories that we bring to you,
(02:54):
that you take the time to dothat.
So first, we want to make surethat if you are dealing with
anything heavy right now, if youare in a dark place, we want
you to know that there's helpout there and that we beg you to
reach out for help.
One of the ways that you can dothat is you can dial 988 and
then option one, or you can text838255.
(03:18):
You can also chat online andyou can go to
wwwveteranscrisislinenet.
Those are just three of theways that you can reach out for
help.
Just never stay locked in yourown mind.
Definitely talk to people, askpeople to help you work through
whatever you're going through.
(03:38):
There's also so many othercharities out there I mean,
there's just veterans charitieseverywhere, but we've
highlighted a few veteranscharities on this show before.
Each charity that I'm about todiscuss is free to all veterans
and it helps all veteransnationwide.
We've actually looked at thesetax records, we've walked
through these charities, we'vemet with them, so we've really
(04:01):
vetted these people and theycover just about everything
veterans deal with.
So the first one that you canreach out to is Heroes Bridge.
They have the National BattleBuddy Call-In Center and what
they do is they just try to helpa veteran with whatever they
need help with.
If you need help with yard work, they can find somebody.
If you need help getting to amedical appointment, they can
(04:22):
find somebody.
They're just a great connection, source of networking, and you
can call them at 1-800-653-8387.
The next one is WarfighterAdvance and that's led by Dr
Vieten.
She deals with post-traumaticstress and helping our warriors
get through that and it's notjust for veterans.
(04:44):
First responders are alsoeligible to be in Warfighter
Advance and again, it's all free.
You do have to self-refer ifyou're dealing with
post-traumatic stress and youwant help from Warfighter
Advance.
Sorry, I can't get these wordsout of my mouth, but you can
call them at 202-239-7395.
If you know a veteran or if youare a veteran who's dealing with
(05:07):
homelessness, we recommend theBaltimore Station.
It is a year-long program andthey help veteran men Amazing,
amazing program and you cancontact them at 410-752-2254.
If you are a veteran who isdealing with financial issues
and you need some assistance,you can contact Operation First
(05:31):
Response Peggy over there isamazing, beautiful soul.
You can contact them at888-289-0280.
If you're dealing withaddiction issues, if you're
dealing with addiction issues,we highly recommend.
Either you go to AA so you cango online at wwwaaorg.
(05:55):
I've been told that you canattend an online meeting 24-7.
So you don't have to wait for ameeting.
Or there is another recovery.
It's called Celebrate Recovery.
You can go towwwcelebraterecoverycom.
That one is more of afaith-based, so I've heard
beautiful things about that oneas well.
(06:16):
But me personally, witheverything that I've ever been
through, I have been homeless, Ihave had issues with finances,
post-traumatic stress, and I'veneeded help for just with
everything.
But the thing that worked thebest for me and I recommend it
to you all is God and his son,jesus Christ.
I think there's a lot of peopleout there right now searching
(06:39):
just for purpose and searchingfor some answers in this world,
and I got to tell you theanswers that you're seeking, I
truly believe were provided byGod and Jesus, and you can read
about those in the Bible.
I recommend just pick up theBible and just read it from
cover to cover and see what itspeaks to you.
(06:59):
But if you call out to God, ifyou are in a dark place, such as
I was a few years ago, I calledout to God.
If you are in a dark place suchas I was a few years ago.
I called out to God and heanswered.
And I know if you call out tohim he will answer you as well.
Um, and he'll just change yourheart and it will be beautiful.
So highly, highly recommend um,god.
If you've just tried everythingelse and you just don't know
(07:22):
what else, just call out out togod.
But you are never, ever alone.
So many people we love you.
We love that you have air inyour lungs and that your heart
is beating and we just we knowyou're going to get through this
.
If you're in that dark spotwe've been there too there's
light always comes, so just hangin there and reach out for help
.
(07:44):
Tonight we have a prettyphenomenal guest on, and you
know I've talked about it alittle bit, but this whole show
has been a culmination of, Ithink, getting this particular
guest.
Even on the show We've had afew veterans who got out of the
service because of the vaccine,but our guest tonight she is
(08:08):
vaccine injured and I want tofeature her story.
I have such a desire to featureher story because I don't feel
as a society that we can lookaway.
We have to deal with what hasbeen done to some of these
people because of this vaccine.
(08:28):
We have to tell their storiesand as a society, we have to
help them, and we also have toensure that this is never, ever
allowed to happen again.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
But wait a second.
I thought we did that.
That was all with World War II.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
Yeah, nuremberg, mm-hmm.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
Yes, but here we are again.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Here we are again, but back then they had the same
option.
When they went to thoseconcentration camps and they saw
the horrors of what washappening, they could have put
their heads in the sand.
Our ancestors could have lookedaway, they could have buried it
, but instead they dug deep andwanted the truth.
(09:11):
They didn't want it feel as ageneration, as a society.
Now we can do the same thing,don't you agree?
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Yeah, I mean we should have, but I mean the
people that were supposed to bethere to protect and defend us
weren't no, and they failed intheir job.
They did and those are thefailed in their job.
Speaker 4 (09:45):
They did, and those are the people that need to be
held accountable.
We can't just sit here and saythey were doing their job, that
they were just following orders.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
And in fact, that's what came out.
That was part of the Nurembergtrials.
The reason why the Nazis werethe people that were oh, I was
just following orders.
Okay, that's not good enough.
Your job is to stand up forthose that cannot fight for
themselves.
Your job is to refuseunconstitutional orders, Right.
Speaker 4 (10:20):
The one time that we can disobey a direct order is
when it's unconstitutional.
The one time that we candisobey a direct order is when
it's unconstitutional.
And a lot of what was done tothese troops while they were in
to be forced to take a vaccineand not even just the veterans,
just society in itself.
Americans, you know, we weretold that.
You know you're not essential,you don't need your job unless
(10:42):
you get a vaccine.
But we can't do that to oneanother.
We have hurt a lot of peopleand those people deserve to be
heard and to ensure every singleone of those people that they
told them that their job wasunimportant.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Just told them that those people were unimportant
yeah, they did.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
And now many of those people who who gave in um, you
know, just, they had no otheroption.
They they took the vaccine.
Many of them are very, verysick and they need proper
medical care.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
But if we keep putting them to the shadows, if
we don't talk about this, and Iwould put for some form of this
is where doctors have to go backto being doctors and go back to
being researchers research andfigure out how we got in this
situation in the first place andhow they can cure us.
(11:41):
If you're a doctor and that'syour medical profession, then
that's what you should be doing,Not just sitting there getting
your licenses frompharmaceutical companies and
just handing out pills.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
You are absolutely correct.
I think it's doctors, but it'sall of us.
All of us have to start puttingmore humanity and love in our
hearts towards one another.
It's not just about us, it'sabout cohabitating on this big
blue ball together and takingcare of one another, and so
(12:15):
that's what we really need to doand that's what we want to do
by highlighting some of thesestories, and some of the stories
are hard to listen to, but youknow, we have to.
We cannot look away.
We just can't, and I'm notgoing to let people look away.
So tonight we are going tofeature a really amazing story
(12:36):
of this young woman.
We thank you for, you know,taking the time to listen to her
story, and we do beg that.
You, uh, you, you share herstory with as many people as
possible because she's one ofmany, so many and, uh, she needs
help, she needs a lot of help.
So it's, you know, she's youngand there's medical bills and,
(12:59):
uh, they're having to shoulder alot of those bills on their own
and they shouldn't have totheir their country that they
raised their hand to defend umshould fight for those or give
her those medical benefits, oneof the things that, before we go
to break.
I do want to say what wasinteresting.
One of the videos I watchedonline of our guests that's
about to come on is um, she, shestill loves her country, so
(13:24):
much that she actually renewedher oath.
She took a video and said heroath again and that hit a chord
with me that she still has thelove of the nation to do that
and the passion of this country,this beautiful country.
So with that we have to take abreak.
Speaker 6 (13:41):
We will be right back freedom was something I never
found.
Trying to find six feet on theground under the weight of all
of my sin, I thought in the factthat I couldn't.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
Okay, welcome back everybody and thank you for
listening to the veteran show.
If you're in crisis, pleasepick up the phone, dial 988,
press option one or text 838255.
Just remember you're neveralone.
There's always somebody outthere that wants to hear your
voice there absolutely is.
Speaker 4 (14:34):
Thank you, babe.
Always reach out.
Don't stay locked in your ownhead um, it's the worst place to
be.
Just always, uh, tell somebodywhat's going on and uh, it will
be worth it, I promise so.
I know people might be in adark place right now on, and it
will be worth it, I promise so.
I know people might be in adark place right now, but you
will get through it and youcould get through it so much
better if we talk about it.
(14:54):
So always reach out for help.
This evening, you know, all ofthe shows that we do each week
are kind of a culmination,bringing us to a certain point,
and the show for this evening isno exception.
We have had many of guests onthe show that you know the
(15:14):
military accountability, thedeclaration of military
accountability.
We had Commander Rob Green,colonel Brad Miller, we've had
quite a few.
We've had quite a few.
We've had Colonel Teresa Long,everybody who's been talking
about the vaccine.
But tonight we're reallyhonored to help beautiful souls
(15:35):
share their story, because thisis our first guests who are
vaccine injured, vaccine injured, and I think it is really um
appropriate for people to hearuh this, uh beautiful woman's
story, and her and her husbandas well.
So it is our honor to introduceum former coast guard petty
officer second class, lindymattingly, and her husband, also
(16:00):
coast guard veteran pettyofficer first class, mike
mattingly.
Thank you both for joining ustoday.
I really appreciate it For you.
Lindy, can you tell me a littlebit about your service?
What made you want to join theCoast Guard and what were you
(16:20):
doing prior to 2020?
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Thank you for having me on the show.
Well, I joined the Army rightout of high school and then I
was very active and did airassault and had a deployment,
and then I joined the CoastGuard so I could stay closer to
home, and then I joined theCoast Guard so I could stay
closer to home and my lifebefore 2020, I was just
(16:49):
extremely active.
I surfed, I skateboarded as apart of the youth group.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Anything I could do to just be physical, I did.
I've seen a few of your videosyou especially that one where
you jumped on your husband'sshoulders like from the back and
you didn't.
That was pretty impressive.
There I wouldn't, I woulddefinitely trip.
So, um, you're very vibrant andhealthy and just uh, the world
(17:22):
was at your fingertips prior to2020, it sounds like, and love
of your nation, love of yourhometown or where you came from.
You wanted to stay close, sothat says a lot about you.
But then, in 2020, when COVIDhappened, what happened with you
With the mandates and stufflike that?
(17:44):
Can you tell us, elaborate onthat?
Speaker 2 (17:47):
yeah.
Um, so in the coast guard theystarted rolling out vaccines
really fast and they told us wehad an option at first.
And I felt in my spirit don'tget this.
And I've gotten.
You know, I've been deployed,I've been to third world
countries.
I've gotten lots of vaccines.
(18:09):
Before you know, I've taken theantibiotics they gave me, got
the peanut butter shot and I wasfine.
But for some reason in myspirit I felt God be like, do
not get this.
And um, it just made me feelalarmed and my stepmom was like
don't get this.
(18:29):
They haven't even, you know,done a lot of studies on this
and so I chose not to get it atfirst.
And um, basically, you know mycommand, on my base in the Coast
Guard, people were just actingmean to people who didn't want
to get the vaccine.
(18:50):
They're kind of ostracizing usand making us feel like dirt
bags, you know, like sandbags,basically my E7 and my E9, like
the guy in charge of my wholerating gunners may like.
(19:10):
They sat me down in the room bymyself and they were like hey,
if you don't with paperwork.
And they're like if you don'tget this, you're going to get
kicked out of the military intwo weeks You're going to have a
dishonorable discharge or otherthan honorable.
You're going to lose yourbenefits.
It's better for you to get thevaccine, and so I got the
(19:35):
vaccine you're pretty pressuredand doing that it sounds like
very pressured.
Speaker 4 (19:42):
So people in your chain of command told you you
would lose your career if youdidn't get the vaccine.
Did they ever say, I mean, wasany doctors in with them?
Did anybody give you any kindof full informed consent of of
what could happen?
Speaker 2 (20:01):
No, they basically they had one of the doctors on
base sign me up to get thevaccine and she like called me
and she was like why aren't youhere to get the vaccine?
And I was like I never said Iwanted it and then I kind of I
didn't get in trouble but theywere like why didn't you show up
(20:24):
to your appointment?
Kind of deal.
And that's like the onlyinformed information I got about
the vaccine was like you haveto get it.
Speaker 4 (20:36):
So they told you.
They sat you down and told youall of this stuff that could
happen negatively for yourcareer, but they never went over
what could negatively happen toyour health.
That's very interesting to me.
That's very telling.
I just want the audience tojust you know if they took the
(20:58):
time to research you know thatkind of paperwork why not take
the time to research thepossible hazards of doing this?
I'm really sorry that they didthat to you.
I truly am.
On just behalf of veterans, I'msorry that they pressured you
into that.
It's not right.
(21:19):
I hear that a lot about people.
It's not right.
I hear that a lot about people.
I hear it actually a lot.
Just something in our soulstold us not to get it and I felt
the same way.
Just something told me it justwasn't the right thing to do.
I wish you'd had theopportunity to make that choice.
So you missed one appointmentfor getting the vaccine what
(21:45):
happened after that?
Speaker 2 (21:45):
um, they just were pressuring me, um, and they're
like look, you can't, you can'tgo anywhere.
Like you can't go 45 minutesaway from the base.
Um, you can't take leave to seeyour family.
Speaker 5 (22:02):
Can't go to church.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Can't go to church.
You know, they were just makingit feel impossible to do
anything and I spent like a yearof not going anywhere.
So I signed up to take thevaccine and September 21st 2021
(22:26):
is when I got my second dose.
And I remember that date morethan my wedding because my whole
life turned upside down afterthat in a bad way.
Speaker 4 (22:40):
Can you elaborate more what happened at that?
Speaker 2 (22:46):
So I started getting heart palpitations within two
weeks of my second dose and I'dbe driving to work and then my
vision would be blurry.
Um, and I'd be driving to work,and then my vision would be
(23:06):
blurry, my heart would bepounding.
I had no clue what was going on.
Um, my muscles started tearing.
I remember I was just carryingammo which is normal for me
every day carrying ammo and Itore my ACL.
And then, and then they said Ihad tennis elbow and golfer's
(23:29):
elbow.
Um, and I was like what?
I just started getting randomthings happen to me, and so I
went to the ER one time becauseI had severe pain in my stomach
and on base, they, they sent meto the ER.
They're're like, you know, look, something's going on, we don't
know.
And I went to the ER and theycouldn't really find anything
(23:53):
wrong with me.
And then, you know, I wastelling my doctors this and I
decided to get out at that point, cause I was like freaking out.
I was like what's going on?
I was like scared, and thedoctors on base were just like
you have anxiety.
And so they gave me someanxiety medicine, but I had a
allergic reaction and Iconvulsed for four hours.
(24:16):
Wow.
Then I just started having likepanic attacks all the time, and
the weirdest part for me was Iused to run three to five miles
a day, um, and I would swim atleast a thousand meters every
(24:39):
other day and for me theweirdest thing is I could barely
even run three miles anymore.
Like my chest, I was so out ofbreath.
I just felt like something waswrong.
Speaker 4 (24:56):
That's what first happened yeah, we know our
bodies pretty well.
Um, you know it, it takes a lot.
I always find it interesting,you know, we know what's going
on in our bodies long before youknow the doctors and stuff, but
it's.
We have to convince the doctorswe're sick.
So, gosh, that's a convulsingfor four hours, I'm really sorry
(25:21):
.
So you went to the ER.
You were having tears andmuscles and all they gave you
was anxiety pills.
So that's just insane to me.
That's insane.
Did they do MRIs?
Actually, did anybody ever saythat it could have been the
(25:42):
vaccine at any point?
Speaker 2 (25:45):
no.
And then the weirdest thing,like I was doing my you know, I
was getting out of the militaryand they had to do like a last
checkup and I told my doctor Iwas like my ears are ringing and
he was like why didn't you tellus that before?
Are you just trying to like getmoney or something?
(26:06):
And so at that point I justfelt like I couldn't talk to
them.
I felt like it wasn't gonnalike it wasn't safe to talk to
them because they were justgoing to dismiss what I'm
feeling and I felt like I wasgoing crazy.
Speaker 4 (26:25):
Yeah, I don't doubt it.
They had you locked downbasically on the base for an
entire year.
You couldn't go to church, yousaid.
Speaker 5 (26:36):
Well, you know, I lived 30 minutes from base, but
all I could do was go to workand come home, or what was the
because I was unvaccinated and Idon't know, maybe I don't
really know what their intentwas on it it was just a coast
(26:58):
guard wide policy for the mostpart, that, like you, couldn't
travel more than 100 miles.
It always changed too, thedistance always changed.
But then you weren't able toparticipate in any kind of group
events.
At one point they even saidthat you couldn't even go to
restaurants.
(27:18):
You couldn't do anything likethat.
It depended on your state'sguidelines.
Gyms was one of them.
So if you were unvaccinated atone point you pretty much could
stay home and go to work.
Speaker 4 (27:31):
That was it well, if the vaccine worked to protect
all these people, then why werethey so scared of you?
That doesn't make any sense tome.
It sounds to me, if theychanged it that much over and
over and they kept changingtheir policies, that was more of
a it was back that we're goingback to the whole fear and
control thing.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
Yeah, that's all they want to do is put everybody in
fear so they can controleverybody wow, what did that do?
Speaker 4 (27:58):
go ahead sorry.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
Um well, and going back, like a lot of people might
be wondering, like why I didn'tget a waiver or a religious
waiver.
You know, if I felt in myspirit and in the coast guard
particularly, I don't know Ihaven't heard one religious
waiver being approved for thevaccine and I don't think any
(28:21):
religious waiver in the coastguard got approved, and so I
heard that in, like I actuallysaw people getting denied and,
um, my boss was like you couldput it in if you want, but no
one else is getting approved forit.
Speaker 4 (28:40):
You know so on every level, over and over.
They just kept discouraging youfrom doing what was in your
heart and what was youth leadersum, so we'd go to church to see
(29:09):
the youth group and then we goto church.
We're pretty active in thechurch and we'd go hang out with
the church members a lot liketwice a week, I think and yet
the military tells you that youmight not get a religious
exemption when you have ahistory of being involved in the
church.
I don't see how they have aright to do that.
(29:33):
Isn't that infringing Hence?
Speaker 3 (29:37):
the military accountability project.
Speaker 4 (29:39):
Yeah, the declaration , military accountability.
So for the time that theylimited you and told you you
couldn't go exercise and youcouldn't go to church and stuff
like that, how did that?
What did that do to your psyche?
Speaker 2 (29:55):
well, it made me very frustrated because, like they'd
be like all right, take thetruck, the truck and go on an
eight hour trip, right, so fourhours one way, four hours back
and do some work at a differentbase.
And it was so confusing to me Ididn't understand it.
(30:16):
And this is where me and my E7had some disagreements.
E7 had some disagreements.
I was like I don't understandhow this, how I can go to a
different base, go to the gasstation, deal with all these
people on a different base but Ican't go to the gym.
Speaker 4 (30:38):
Yeah, that makes no sense.
I only have about 60 secondsleft.
I want to remind our audiencewho's listening.
No-transcript.
(31:07):
So for the people who say thatthe benefits outweighed the
costs, I would highly beg todiffer With that.
We're going to take a break andwe will be right back to buy
(31:28):
myself a chance.
Speaker 6 (31:31):
I'm like everybody else.
I got a twisted, broken story.
I could tell I paved the roadto hell with stones I laid
(31:54):
myself and I built it all toowell.
Speaker 1 (32:04):
Well, I know.
Speaker 6 (32:05):
I've done, and if judgment should come, I couldn't
face it.
Oh my.
Speaker 3 (32:15):
Hi, welcome back.
Thank you for listening to theveteran show.
If you're in crisis, pleasepick up the phone, Dial 988.
Press option one or text 838255.
Just remember you're neveralone.
There's always somebody outthere that wants to hear your
voice.
Speaker 4 (32:28):
There absolutely is.
And I thank you for giving outthat information, babe.
So we still have on the linewith us former Coast Guard Army
and Coast Guard but former CoastGuard Petty Officer Second
Class, lindyy Mattingly, and herhusband, former Petty Officer
First Class, Mike Mattingly.
I thank you guys for joining ustonight.
(32:49):
Before we get into talking toher again, there's just a few
things that I want to break up.
She does have a Give, send, go,and if you are interested in
helping her, lindy, and if youare interested in helping her
Lindy, she is trying to raisefunds for some medical treatment
that is not covered by the VAfor some reason.
And if you want to do that,just go to GoFundMe and look for
(33:13):
Health Lindy, walk Again andyou'll be able to help her out,
and I really hope people areable to help this beautiful soul
.
On a different note, jeff and Iyou and I have been going
through some emotional rollercoasters.
We lost our dog and we weregoing to do this interview with
Lindy and Mike a little whileago, a few days ago, before our
(33:37):
dog passed and you know, witheverything that she's going
through, they actually prayedover us for what we were going
through, and that's the kind ofsouls that we're talking to
right now, just really beautifulsouls that are looking out for
other people and wanting to helpother people.
And so I just I think I think,mike and Lindy, just for what
(34:01):
you did for us the other day andjust for having hope and faith
in god, still I it meant a lot.
Um, I do want to talk to you.
So you, you ended up gettingout of the coast guard on your
own volition.
You, you separated under normalcircumstances, is that correct,
lind?
Speaker 2 (34:21):
I'm sorry we lost you there for a second oh, it's
okay.
Speaker 4 (34:25):
So you ended up separating from the Coast Guard
just at your regular end ofservice, is that correct?
Speaker 2 (34:32):
Yes, I did.
Speaker 4 (34:34):
Okay, so once you got the vaccine, what all you've
been dealing with?
Medical issues now.
So what?
All of the um, what I don'tknow what you call the word I'm
looking for?
What are the medical ailmentsthat you now have to deal with?
Could you list them for us?
Speaker 2 (34:55):
yeah, I might need my husband to help me.
Um, so, so, brain fog, extremefatigue, I'm in a wheelchair, I
can't walk, I can't drive,tinnitus, vertigo, migraines,
(35:16):
muscle weakness and I havesomething called post-exertional
malaise.
And I have something calledpost-exertional malaise.
Basically, I get to asemi-conscious state sometimes
when I have flares and I can'tspeak, I can't communicate and
I'm just in pain over my wholebody.
It's only gotten to a 10,probably five times, but when it
(35:41):
does flare, it's usually aroundan eight and a half or a nine
out of 10 pain.
So, basically, for eight monthsI was in a bed and I couldn't
barely speak, but now, sinceI've been going to this
neurological neurology clinic,I've been able.
Obviously, I can speak more now.
(36:02):
I wouldn't have been able to dothis before I went to this
clinic.
Um, they've just been helpingme speak and be in less pain.
Um, so, basically, like, allthe nerves in my body felt like
they were on fire and I'm stilllearning how to walk again.
Speaker 4 (36:27):
Wow, you are Sue.
You got out.
You weren't kicked out oranything, but you got out.
But now you're 100% permanenttotal.
But there's somethinginteresting with that You're not
rated for vaccine, injury oranything of that nature or toxic
exposure.
What are you rated for?
(36:49):
What are they calling it?
Speaker 2 (36:53):
It's called chronic fatigue due to the residual of
the vaccine.
I'm 100% for that 100% for that.
Speaker 4 (37:04):
And why don't just they rate you for vaccine,
injury or hazardous materialexposure or toxic material?
Did they ever say anythingabout that?
Speaker 2 (37:14):
When I talked to the guy rating me, he was saying
like they don't have any of thatto be rated as like it's not in
the paperwork they don't have acode, the va.
Speaker 3 (37:29):
Apparently the va doesn't have a code for vaccine.
Speaker 2 (37:31):
Injuries no, they don't because they don't want to
admit it yeah, um.
Speaker 4 (37:40):
So that 100 percent permittal on the way that you're
rated.
From what I understand, it hashad a bit of an impact on your
care, because the wording um isgetting in the way, is it not
today?
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (37:57):
so, um, we filed for my husband to be my caregiver.
He actually had to get out ofthe military because I have to
have 24-7 care.
You know, I can't go get waterfor myself, I can't make food, I
can't fold laundry, becauseI'll literally pass out or I'll
(38:23):
just be in so much pain.
And we filed for him to be mycaregiver and they denied it
because the paperwork sayschooses to stay in bed.
And we showed my VA, primarycare, that and she was like I
never said you choose to stay inbed.
Speaker 4 (38:42):
You, you are in bed because you have to be so that
wording is getting in the way ofyour husband becoming and
getting paid a caregiver for youis that correct we're still in
the works, trying to figure thatout and trying to resubmit.
Speaker 2 (39:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (39:08):
Mike, would you mind telling us what you did while
you were in the service?
Speaker 5 (39:15):
Yes, I was a gunner's mate as well.
At the time I was an instructorand when Lindy got out of the
military we ended up moving,transferring, and I was an
instructor for a reserve unit inCalifornia and it got to the
(39:36):
point where I couldn't keep upmy work anymore.
I couldn't take care of theoffice and take care of my wife.
I was teleworking more than Iwas at the office.
They had to have a reservist onorders full time in order for
things to keep moving and Istill was honestly failing at my
work and failing.
(39:56):
So it just became necessary forme to get out and take care of
Lindy full time.
Speaker 4 (40:07):
So I've been thinking a lot about this.
You know, building up to thisconversation with you two the
people who sat you down and saidthat you could lose your career
, lindy, and this and this andthis would happen, and you know,
yada, yada, yada.
Instead, what actually ended uphappening is you lost your
(40:30):
career anyways and your husbandis now out of the service too.
So two amazing troops that wereon the edge of the rest of
their lives and the militaryimpacted both of your lives.
All for what that's been reallyresounding with me, or for what
(40:50):
that's been really resoundingwith me.
I just want people to know tworeally good people are no longer
in the service, and we reallyneed good people in the service.
We really do.
So you're not getting paidcaregiver status.
That's insane.
Has anybody in Congress or anyof your legislators, anybody
reached out to you to try tohelp?
Speaker 2 (41:13):
No.
Speaker 4 (41:17):
So right now you're going through a new treatment
and you're having to pay for ityourself.
Can you tell us a little bitabout this treatment and why
isn't the VA covering it?
Speaker 2 (41:34):
um, why isn't the VA covering it?
So I was a part of a long COVIDclinic.
Um, because in in Californiawith the VA, um, they said that
my symptoms were so similar tolong COVID.
That's why I was there andbasically, like all my doctors
and the VA and at Stanford theywould say things like you could
die in seven months or theywould just randomly spit out
like diseases I could have, butthey basically said there's
(41:58):
nothing they could do for me andthat I just need to stay home
and rest.
And I was praying and I waslike Lord, like I need help.
I was crying, I was like Lord,what can I do?
Like I can't live this wayanymore, like I'm in so much
pain, you know, and I'll just bepraying this to God, like when
(42:20):
I can, because, you know, I wasin my conscious a lot and I was
just Googling like places thatcan help with rare neurological
disorders, because that's what'sgoing on with me.
It's like the covid shot goespast the blood brain barrier
with the mrna, um, and what theysay with me is that it went
(42:43):
past that, and so that's what'sgoing on.
And I found this place calledsparrow in arkansas and they
help with CRPS, long COVID andrare neurological symptoms.
And we got here nine weeks agoand when I got here I was laying
in a wheelchair.
(43:04):
I couldn't speak, I couldn'topen my eyes and I was in pain
at least an eight all the time,and unfortunately it's $62,000.
For like a five month treatment.
Speaker 4 (43:25):
Sorry, out of your own pocket you're $62,000.
Speaker 2 (43:30):
Yeah, and that's basically our whole life savings
.
How old are you um?
Speaker 4 (43:38):
I'm 31 31 and I.
I asked you guys this earlier.
You guys have been married forfour years yeah, we, we got.
Speaker 2 (43:47):
I got sick six months after we got married.
Speaker 4 (43:54):
That's about like us.
Yeah, has this impacted?
I hate to ask it for such apersonal question, but has this
impacted?
If you guys have, did you guyswant children before?
Speaker 2 (44:06):
Do you still there's?
There's no way, like in mystate, that I can even think
about having a child.
Every time they ask me if I'mpregnant at the doctor, I just
laugh because I cannot havechildren at all.
Speaker 4 (44:21):
If I tried to have a child, I would die.
Did you want?
Speaker 2 (44:23):
children.
We wanted kids.
Speaker 4 (44:34):
But now I'm afraid of being in pain because of how
much pain I'm in all the time.
So the best way people can helpyou is to go to the GoFundMe
and then help Lindy walk again.
Your faith has been reallybeautiful and it seems to be
keeping you grounded.
So, with everything that you'vebeen through, is there anything
that you want to say to yourfellow veterans, to give that,
(44:56):
to show them maybe some of thehope that you have and the fight
that you're?
You have in you Any words ofwisdom?
Speaker 2 (45:05):
My words of wisdom have to come, you know, from
what God's done for me, and it'sbasically like whenever you
feel like everything's crumblingaround you and like
everything's so painful and youdon't know what to do, just talk
to God, because he'll meet youwhere you're at and know for me
(45:32):
in my darkest times, like Iwould just close my eyes and
pray to God and I would see somuch beautiful things and um,
just, he'll always be there foryou and he'll answer your
prayers you will, that's forsure.
Speaker 4 (45:51):
Amen.
Well, lindy and mike, I reallyappreciate you joining us
tonight.
Um, I uh will always be prayingfor you and if there's any way
that jeff and I can ever helpyou in any way, um, please let
us know and keep us posted onhow you're doing, and I pray
(46:12):
that the audience goes to yourGoFundMe page.
Help Lindy walk again, and Ipray they help you.
But to both of you foreverything that you've done for
us in the short time that you'veknown us and for your faith,
for your fight.
It has been an honor getting totalk to you and we wish you all
(46:32):
the best.
With that we're going to endthe show.
We pray everybody has a greatweek and we will talk to you
again next week.
Speaker 6 (46:43):
God bless you all the way is lost.
My eyes they strain to see.
I struggle forth to find afriend to light the way for me.
Oh brothers, can you hear myvoice, or am I all alone?
(47:08):
If there's no fire to guide myway, then I will start my own.
Oh, my God, we'll have our homeagain.
My God, we'll have our home.
My blood or sweat will getthere.
(47:28):
Yet, my God, we'll have ourhome.
There's men and women all around who fought and died
for your freedom and it's realfucked up how the government
treats them.
They just sit back and theywon't even feed them.
They lay on the ground feelingdefeated.
Lord, they paid their dues andthey beat the enemy while
they're all alone fighting PTSDBecause freedom ain't free, but
(00:24):
in reality, you entitled holesare handed everything.
We should all rise up and alljust agree the division ain't
the way that it's supposed to belord.
It's a damn shame what theworld's gotten to.
We, the people like you, and we, the people like me, should
(00:47):
just wake up and realize it'strue, cause it is oh, it is
Living in a new world With anold soul.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Hello and welcome to the Veteran's Show.
Thank you for listening.
We know you could be doinganything else on a Saturday
night, but you're sittinglistening to us and we thank you
.
I'm Jeff and I'm here with mybeautiful, wonderful wife Laura.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
Hello.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
We wanted to thank producer Michelle and WCBM for
letting us have this opportunityto do this at this time, and
then for Officer Carrie for ourbumper music.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Thank you Always providing us good music and
tailor it to the show.
So we do thank Officer Carriefor doing that, and I know she
really enjoys it.
If you are new to the VeteransShow, we open up each show with
a prayer, so, if you can, canplease bow your heads with us.
Heavenly father, all glory toyou.
(01:49):
Father, tonight I lift up.
First, I beg for peace for yourpeople, israel, and then,
second, father, I lift up all ofthe hearts out there that are
hurting, that are dealing with aheavy moment in their life.
I beg that you put your wisdominto them, your peace into them
(02:12):
and your strength.
So many people are enduring somuch.
You know what they're goingthrough.
You too have suffered so much,greater than anything we ever
could.
So, father, show us how toendure and just protect those
people and give them some relief, if it's your will.
(02:34):
Father, thank you for all youdo, and I pray all of this in
your son's name, my Lord andSavior, jesus Christ, the risen
King.
Amen.
We do thank everybody forjoining us tonight.
You know you could be doinganything on a Saturday, but
you're here with us and wereally appreciate that.
It means a lot to hear thestories that we bring to you,
(02:54):
that you take the time to dothat.
So first, we want to make surethat if you are dealing with
anything heavy right now, if youare in a dark place, we want
you to know that there's helpout there and that we beg you to
reach out for help.
One of the ways that you can dothat is you can dial 988 and
then option one, or you can text838255.
(03:18):
You can also chat online andyou can go to
wwwveteranscrisislinenet.
Those are just three of theways that you can reach out for
help.
Just never stay locked in yourown mind.
Definitely talk to people, askpeople to help you work through
whatever you're going through.
(03:38):
There's also so many othercharities out there I mean,
there's just veterans charitieseverywhere, but we've
highlighted a few veteranscharities on this show before.
Each charity that I'm about todiscuss is free to all veterans
and it helps all veteransnationwide.
We've actually looked at thesetax records, we've walked
through these charities, we'vemet with them, so we've really
(04:01):
vetted these people and theycover just about everything
veterans deal with.
So the first one that you canreach out to is Heroes Bridge.
They have the National BattleBuddy Call-In Center and what
they do is they just try to helpa veteran with whatever they
need help with.
If you need help with yard work, they can find somebody.
If you need help getting to amedical appointment, they can
(04:22):
find somebody.
They're just a great connection, source of networking, and you
can call them at 1-800-653-8387.
The next one is WarfighterAdvance and that's led by Dr
Vieten.
She deals with post-traumaticstress and helping our warriors
get through that and it's notjust for veterans.
(04:44):
First responders are alsoeligible to be in Warfighter
Advance and again, it's all free.
You do have to self-refer ifyou're dealing with
post-traumatic stress and youwant help from Warfighter
Advance.
Sorry, I can't get these wordsout of my mouth, but you can
call them at 202-239-7395.
If you know a veteran or if youare a veteran who's dealing with
(05:07):
homelessness, we recommend theBaltimore Station.
It is a year-long program andthey help veteran men Amazing,
amazing program and you cancontact them at 410-752-2254.
If you are a veteran who isdealing with financial issues
and you need some assistance,you can contact Operation First
(05:31):
Response Peggy over there isamazing, beautiful soul.
You can contact them at888-289-0280.
If you're dealing withaddiction issues, if you're
dealing with addiction issues,we highly recommend.
Either you go to AA so you cango online at wwwaaorg.
(05:55):
I've been told that you canattend an online meeting 24-7.
So you don't have to wait for ameeting.
Or there is another recovery.
It's called Celebrate Recovery.
You can go towwwcelebraterecoverycom.
That one is more of afaith-based, so I've heard
beautiful things about that oneas well.
(06:16):
But me personally, witheverything that I've ever been
through, I have been homeless, Ihave had issues with finances,
post-traumatic stress, and I'veneeded help for just with
everything.
But the thing that worked thebest for me and I recommend it
to you all is God and his son,jesus Christ.
I think there's a lot of peopleout there right now searching
(06:39):
just for purpose and searchingfor some answers in this world,
and I got to tell you theanswers that you're seeking, I
truly believe were provided byGod and Jesus, and you can read
about those in the Bible.
I recommend just pick up theBible and just read it from
cover to cover and see what itspeaks to you.
(06:59):
But if you call out to God, ifyou are in a dark place, such as
I was a few years ago, I calledout to God.
If you are in a dark place suchas I was a few years ago.
I called out to God and heanswered.
And I know if you call out tohim he will answer you as well.
Um, and he'll just change yourheart and it will be beautiful.
So highly, highly recommend um,god.
If you've just tried everythingelse and you just don't know
(07:22):
what else, just call out out togod.
But you are never, ever alone.
So many people we love you.
We love that you have air inyour lungs and that your heart
is beating and we just we knowyou're going to get through this
.
If you're in that dark spotwe've been there too there's
light always comes, so just hangin there and reach out for help
.
(07:44):
Tonight we have a prettyphenomenal guest on, and you
know I've talked about it alittle bit, but this whole show
has been a culmination of, Ithink, getting this particular
guest.
Even on the show We've had afew veterans who got out of the
service because of the vaccine,but our guest tonight she is
(08:08):
vaccine injured and I want tofeature her story.
I have such a desire to featureher story because I don't feel
as a society that we can lookaway.
We have to deal with what hasbeen done to some of these
people because of this vaccine.
(08:28):
We have to tell their storiesand as a society, we have to
help them, and we also have toensure that this is never, ever
allowed to happen again.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
But wait a second.
I thought we did that.
That was all with World War II.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
Yeah, nuremberg, mm-hmm.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
Yes, but here we are again.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Here we are again, but back then they had the same
option.
When they went to thoseconcentration camps and they saw
the horrors of what washappening, they could have put
their heads in the sand.
Our ancestors could have lookedaway, they could have buried it
, but instead they dug deep andwanted the truth.
(09:11):
They didn't want it feel as ageneration, as a society.
Now we can do the same thing,don't you agree?
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Yeah, I mean we should have, but I mean the
people that were supposed to bethere to protect and defend us
weren't no, and they failed intheir job.
They did and those are thefailed in their job.
Speaker 4 (09:45):
They did, and those are the people that need to be
held accountable.
We can't just sit here and saythey were doing their job, that
they were just following orders.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
And in fact, that's what came out.
That was part of the Nurembergtrials.
The reason why the Nazis werethe people that were oh, I was
just following orders.
Okay, that's not good enough.
Your job is to stand up forthose that cannot fight for
themselves.
Your job is to refuseunconstitutional orders, Right.
Speaker 4 (10:20):
The one time that we can disobey a direct order is
when it's unconstitutional.
The one time that we candisobey a direct order is when
it's unconstitutional.
And a lot of what was done tothese troops while they were in
to be forced to take a vaccineand not even just the veterans,
just society in itself.
Americans, you know, we weretold that.
You know you're not essential,you don't need your job unless
(10:42):
you get a vaccine.
But we can't do that to oneanother.
We have hurt a lot of peopleand those people deserve to be
heard and to ensure every singleone of those people that they
told them that their job wasunimportant.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Just told them that those people were unimportant
yeah, they did.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
And now many of those people who who gave in um, you
know, just, they had no otheroption.
They they took the vaccine.
Many of them are very, verysick and they need proper
medical care.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
But if we keep putting them to the shadows, if
we don't talk about this, and Iwould put for some form of this
is where doctors have to go backto being doctors and go back to
being researchers research andfigure out how we got in this
situation in the first place andhow they can cure us.
(11:41):
If you're a doctor and that'syour medical profession, then
that's what you should be doing,Not just sitting there getting
your licenses frompharmaceutical companies and
just handing out pills.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
You are absolutely correct.
I think it's doctors, but it'sall of us.
All of us have to start puttingmore humanity and love in our
hearts towards one another.
It's not just about us, it'sabout cohabitating on this big
blue ball together and takingcare of one another, and so
(12:15):
that's what we really need to doand that's what we want to do
by highlighting some of thesestories, and some of the stories
are hard to listen to, but youknow, we have to.
We cannot look away.
We just can't, and I'm notgoing to let people look away.
So tonight we are going tofeature a really amazing story
(12:36):
of this young woman.
We thank you for, you know,taking the time to listen to her
story, and we do beg that.
You, uh, you, you share herstory with as many people as
possible because she's one ofmany, so many and, uh, she needs
help, she needs a lot of help.
So it's, you know, she's youngand there's medical bills and,
(12:59):
uh, they're having to shoulder alot of those bills on their own
and they shouldn't have totheir their country that they
raised their hand to defend umshould fight for those or give
her those medical benefits, oneof the things that, before we go
to break.
I do want to say what wasinteresting.
One of the videos I watchedonline of our guests that's
about to come on is um, she, shestill loves her country, so
(13:24):
much that she actually renewedher oath.
She took a video and said heroath again and that hit a chord
with me that she still has thelove of the nation to do that
and the passion of this country,this beautiful country.
So with that we have to take abreak.
Speaker 6 (13:41):
We will be right back freedom was something I never
found.
Trying to find six feet on theground under the weight of all
of my sin, I thought in the factthat I couldn't.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
Okay, welcome back everybody and thank you for
listening to the veteran show.
If you're in crisis, pleasepick up the phone, dial 988,
press option one or text 838255.
Just remember you're neveralone.
There's always somebody outthere that wants to hear your
voice there absolutely is.
Speaker 4 (14:34):
Thank you, babe.
Always reach out.
Don't stay locked in your ownhead um, it's the worst place to
be.
Just always, uh, tell somebodywhat's going on and uh, it will
be worth it, I promise so.
I know people might be in adark place right now on, and it
will be worth it, I promise so.
I know people might be in adark place right now, but you
will get through it and youcould get through it so much
better if we talk about it.
(14:54):
So always reach out for help.
This evening, you know, all ofthe shows that we do each week
are kind of a culmination,bringing us to a certain point,
and the show for this evening isno exception.
We have had many of guests onthe show that you know the
(15:14):
military accountability, thedeclaration of military
accountability.
We had Commander Rob Green,colonel Brad Miller, we've had
quite a few.
We've had quite a few.
We've had Colonel Teresa Long,everybody who's been talking
about the vaccine.
But tonight we're reallyhonored to help beautiful souls
(15:35):
share their story, because thisis our first guests who are
vaccine injured, vaccine injured, and I think it is really um
appropriate for people to hearuh this, uh beautiful woman's
story, and her and her husbandas well.
So it is our honor to introduceum former coast guard petty
officer second class, lindymattingly, and her husband, also
(16:00):
coast guard veteran pettyofficer first class, mike
mattingly.
Thank you both for joining ustoday.
I really appreciate it For you.
Lindy, can you tell me a littlebit about your service?
What made you want to join theCoast Guard and what were you
(16:20):
doing prior to 2020?
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Thank you for having me on the show.
Well, I joined the Army rightout of high school and then I
was very active and did airassault and had a deployment,
and then I joined the CoastGuard so I could stay closer to
home, and then I joined theCoast Guard so I could stay
closer to home and my lifebefore 2020, I was just
(16:49):
extremely active.
I surfed, I skateboarded as apart of the youth group.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Anything I could do to just be physical, I did.
I've seen a few of your videosyou especially that one where
you jumped on your husband'sshoulders like from the back and
you didn't.
That was pretty impressive.
There I wouldn't, I woulddefinitely trip.
So, um, you're very vibrant andhealthy and just uh, the world
(17:22):
was at your fingertips prior to2020, it sounds like, and love
of your nation, love of yourhometown or where you came from.
You wanted to stay close, sothat says a lot about you.
But then, in 2020, when COVIDhappened, what happened with you
With the mandates and stufflike that?
(17:44):
Can you tell us, elaborate onthat?
Speaker 2 (17:47):
yeah.
Um, so in the coast guard theystarted rolling out vaccines
really fast and they told us wehad an option at first.
And I felt in my spirit don'tget this.
And I've gotten.
You know, I've been deployed,I've been to third world
countries.
I've gotten lots of vaccines.
(18:09):
Before you know, I've taken theantibiotics they gave me, got
the peanut butter shot and I wasfine.
But for some reason in myspirit I felt God be like, do
not get this.
And um, it just made me feelalarmed and my stepmom was like
don't get this.
(18:29):
They haven't even, you know,done a lot of studies on this
and so I chose not to get it atfirst.
And um, basically, you know mycommand, on my base in the Coast
Guard, people were just actingmean to people who didn't want
to get the vaccine.
(18:50):
They're kind of ostracizing usand making us feel like dirt
bags, you know, like sandbags,basically my E7 and my E9, like
the guy in charge of my wholerating gunners may like.
(19:10):
They sat me down in the room bymyself and they were like hey,
if you don't with paperwork.
And they're like if you don'tget this, you're going to get
kicked out of the military intwo weeks You're going to have a
dishonorable discharge or otherthan honorable.
You're going to lose yourbenefits.
It's better for you to get thevaccine, and so I got the
(19:35):
vaccine you're pretty pressuredand doing that it sounds like
very pressured.
Speaker 4 (19:42):
So people in your chain of command told you you
would lose your career if youdidn't get the vaccine.
Did they ever say, I mean, wasany doctors in with them?
Did anybody give you any kindof full informed consent of of
what could happen?
Speaker 2 (20:01):
No, they basically they had one of the doctors on
base sign me up to get thevaccine and she like called me
and she was like why aren't youhere to get the vaccine?
And I was like I never said Iwanted it and then I kind of I
didn't get in trouble but theywere like why didn't you show up
(20:24):
to your appointment?
Kind of deal.
And that's like the onlyinformed information I got about
the vaccine was like you haveto get it.
Speaker 4 (20:36):
So they told you.
They sat you down and told youall of this stuff that could
happen negatively for yourcareer, but they never went over
what could negatively happen toyour health.
That's very interesting to me.
That's very telling.
I just want the audience tojust you know if they took the
(20:58):
time to research you know thatkind of paperwork why not take
the time to research thepossible hazards of doing this?
I'm really sorry that they didthat to you.
I truly am.
On just behalf of veterans, I'msorry that they pressured you
into that.
It's not right.
(21:19):
I hear that a lot about people.
It's not right.
I hear that a lot about people.
I hear it actually a lot.
Just something in our soulstold us not to get it and I felt
the same way.
Just something told me it justwasn't the right thing to do.
I wish you'd had theopportunity to make that choice.
So you missed one appointmentfor getting the vaccine what
(21:45):
happened after that?
Speaker 2 (21:45):
um, they just were pressuring me, um, and they're
like look, you can't, you can'tgo anywhere.
Like you can't go 45 minutesaway from the base.
Um, you can't take leave to seeyour family.
Speaker 5 (22:02):
Can't go to church.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Can't go to church.
You know, they were just makingit feel impossible to do
anything and I spent like a yearof not going anywhere.
So I signed up to take thevaccine and September 21st 2021
(22:26):
is when I got my second dose.
And I remember that date morethan my wedding because my whole
life turned upside down afterthat in a bad way.
Speaker 4 (22:40):
Can you elaborate more what happened at that?
Speaker 2 (22:46):
So I started getting heart palpitations within two
weeks of my second dose and I'dbe driving to work and then my
vision would be blurry.
Um, and I'd be driving to work,and then my vision would be
(23:06):
blurry, my heart would bepounding.
I had no clue what was going on.
Um, my muscles started tearing.
I remember I was just carryingammo which is normal for me
every day carrying ammo and Itore my ACL.
And then, and then they said Ihad tennis elbow and golfer's
(23:29):
elbow.
Um, and I was like what?
I just started getting randomthings happen to me, and so I
went to the ER one time becauseI had severe pain in my stomach
and on base, they, they sent meto the ER.
They're're like, you know, look, something's going on, we don't
know.
And I went to the ER and theycouldn't really find anything
(23:53):
wrong with me.
And then, you know, I wastelling my doctors this and I
decided to get out at that point, cause I was like freaking out.
I was like what's going on?
I was like scared, and thedoctors on base were just like
you have anxiety.
And so they gave me someanxiety medicine, but I had a
allergic reaction and Iconvulsed for four hours.
(24:16):
Wow.
Then I just started having likepanic attacks all the time, and
the weirdest part for me was Iused to run three to five miles
a day, um, and I would swim atleast a thousand meters every
(24:39):
other day and for me theweirdest thing is I could barely
even run three miles anymore.
Like my chest, I was so out ofbreath.
I just felt like something waswrong.
Speaker 4 (24:56):
That's what first happened yeah, we know our
bodies pretty well.
Um, you know it, it takes a lot.
I always find it interesting,you know, we know what's going
on in our bodies long before youknow the doctors and stuff, but
it's.
We have to convince the doctorswe're sick.
So, gosh, that's a convulsingfor four hours, I'm really sorry
(25:21):
.
So you went to the ER.
You were having tears andmuscles and all they gave you
was anxiety pills.
So that's just insane to me.
That's insane.
Did they do MRIs?
Actually, did anybody ever saythat it could have been the
(25:42):
vaccine at any point?
Speaker 2 (25:45):
no.
And then the weirdest thing,like I was doing my you know, I
was getting out of the militaryand they had to do like a last
checkup and I told my doctor Iwas like my ears are ringing and
he was like why didn't you tellus that before?
Are you just trying to like getmoney or something?
(26:06):
And so at that point I justfelt like I couldn't talk to
them.
I felt like it wasn't gonnalike it wasn't safe to talk to
them because they were justgoing to dismiss what I'm
feeling and I felt like I wasgoing crazy.
Speaker 4 (26:25):
Yeah, I don't doubt it.
They had you locked downbasically on the base for an
entire year.
You couldn't go to church, yousaid.
Speaker 5 (26:36):
Well, you know, I lived 30 minutes from base, but
all I could do was go to workand come home, or what was the
because I was unvaccinated and Idon't know, maybe I don't
really know what their intentwas on it it was just a coast
(26:58):
guard wide policy for the mostpart, that, like you, couldn't
travel more than 100 miles.
It always changed too, thedistance always changed.
But then you weren't able toparticipate in any kind of group
events.
At one point they even saidthat you couldn't even go to
restaurants.
(27:18):
You couldn't do anything likethat.
It depended on your state'sguidelines.
Gyms was one of them.
So if you were unvaccinated atone point you pretty much could
stay home and go to work.
Speaker 4 (27:31):
That was it well, if the vaccine worked to protect
all these people, then why werethey so scared of you?
That doesn't make any sense tome.
It sounds to me, if theychanged it that much over and
over and they kept changingtheir policies, that was more of
a it was back that we're goingback to the whole fear and
control thing.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
Yeah, that's all they want to do is put everybody in
fear so they can controleverybody wow, what did that do?
Speaker 4 (27:58):
go ahead sorry.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
Um well, and going back, like a lot of people might
be wondering, like why I didn'tget a waiver or a religious
waiver.
You know, if I felt in myspirit and in the coast guard
particularly, I don't know Ihaven't heard one religious
waiver being approved for thevaccine and I don't think any
(28:21):
religious waiver in the coastguard got approved, and so I
heard that in, like I actuallysaw people getting denied and,
um, my boss was like you couldput it in if you want, but no
one else is getting approved forit.
Speaker 4 (28:40):
You know so on every level, over and over.
They just kept discouraging youfrom doing what was in your
heart and what was youth leadersum, so we'd go to church to see
(29:09):
the youth group and then we goto church.
We're pretty active in thechurch and we'd go hang out with
the church members a lot liketwice a week, I think and yet
the military tells you that youmight not get a religious
exemption when you have ahistory of being involved in the
church.
I don't see how they have aright to do that.
(29:33):
Isn't that infringing Hence?
Speaker 3 (29:37):
the military accountability project.
Speaker 4 (29:39):
Yeah, the declaration , military accountability.
So for the time that theylimited you and told you you
couldn't go exercise and youcouldn't go to church and stuff
like that, how did that?
What did that do to your psyche?
Speaker 2 (29:55):
well, it made me very frustrated because, like they'd
be like all right, take thetruck, the truck and go on an
eight hour trip, right, so fourhours one way, four hours back
and do some work at a differentbase.
And it was so confusing to me Ididn't understand it.
(30:16):
And this is where me and my E7had some disagreements.
E7 had some disagreements.
I was like I don't understandhow this, how I can go to a
different base, go to the gasstation, deal with all these
people on a different base but Ican't go to the gym.
Speaker 4 (30:38):
Yeah, that makes no sense.
I only have about 60 secondsleft.
I want to remind our audiencewho's listening.
No-transcript.
(31:07):
So for the people who say thatthe benefits outweighed the
costs, I would highly beg todiffer With that.
We're going to take a break andwe will be right back to buy
(31:28):
myself a chance.
Speaker 6 (31:31):
I'm like everybody else.
I got a twisted, broken story.
I could tell I paved the roadto hell with stones I laid
(31:54):
myself and I built it all toowell.
Speaker 1 (32:04):
Well, I know.
Speaker 6 (32:05):
I've done, and if judgment should come, I couldn't
face it.
Oh my.
Speaker 3 (32:15):
Hi, welcome back.
Thank you for listening to theveteran show.
If you're in crisis, pleasepick up the phone, Dial 988.
Press option one or text 838255.
Just remember you're neveralone.
There's always somebody outthere that wants to hear your
voice.
Speaker 4 (32:28):
There absolutely is.
And I thank you for giving outthat information, babe.
So we still have on the linewith us former Coast Guard Army
and Coast Guard but former CoastGuard Petty Officer Second
Class, lindyy Mattingly, and herhusband, former Petty Officer
First Class, Mike Mattingly.
I thank you guys for joining ustonight.
(32:49):
Before we get into talking toher again, there's just a few
things that I want to break up.
She does have a Give, send, go,and if you are interested in
helping her, lindy, and if youare interested in helping her
Lindy, she is trying to raisefunds for some medical treatment
that is not covered by the VAfor some reason.
And if you want to do that,just go to GoFundMe and look for
(33:13):
Health Lindy, walk Again andyou'll be able to help her out,
and I really hope people areable to help this beautiful soul
.
On a different note, jeff and Iyou and I have been going
through some emotional rollercoasters.
We lost our dog and we weregoing to do this interview with
Lindy and Mike a little whileago, a few days ago, before our
(33:37):
dog passed and you know, witheverything that she's going
through, they actually prayedover us for what we were going
through, and that's the kind ofsouls that we're talking to
right now, just really beautifulsouls that are looking out for
other people and wanting to helpother people.
And so I just I think I think,mike and Lindy, just for what
(34:01):
you did for us the other day andjust for having hope and faith
in god, still I it meant a lot.
Um, I do want to talk to you.
So you, you ended up gettingout of the coast guard on your
own volition.
You, you separated under normalcircumstances, is that correct,
lind?
Speaker 2 (34:21):
I'm sorry we lost you there for a second oh, it's
okay.
Speaker 4 (34:25):
So you ended up separating from the Coast Guard
just at your regular end ofservice, is that correct?
Speaker 2 (34:32):
Yes, I did.
Speaker 4 (34:34):
Okay, so once you got the vaccine, what all you've
been dealing with?
Medical issues now.
So what?
All of the um, what I don'tknow what you call the word I'm
looking for?
What are the medical ailmentsthat you now have to deal with?
Could you list them for us?
Speaker 2 (34:55):
yeah, I might need my husband to help me.
Um, so, so, brain fog, extremefatigue, I'm in a wheelchair, I
can't walk, I can't drive,tinnitus, vertigo, migraines,
(35:16):
muscle weakness and I havesomething called post-exertional
malaise.
And I have something calledpost-exertional malaise.
Basically, I get to asemi-conscious state sometimes
when I have flares and I can'tspeak, I can't communicate and
I'm just in pain over my wholebody.
It's only gotten to a 10,probably five times, but when it
(35:41):
does flare, it's usually aroundan eight and a half or a nine
out of 10 pain.
So, basically, for eight monthsI was in a bed and I couldn't
barely speak, but now, sinceI've been going to this
neurological neurology clinic,I've been able.
Obviously, I can speak more now.
(36:02):
I wouldn't have been able to dothis before I went to this
clinic.
Um, they've just been helpingme speak and be in less pain.
Um, so, basically, like, allthe nerves in my body felt like
they were on fire and I'm stilllearning how to walk again.
Speaker 4 (36:27):
Wow, you are Sue.
You got out.
You weren't kicked out oranything, but you got out.
But now you're 100% permanenttotal.
But there's somethinginteresting with that You're not
rated for vaccine, injury oranything of that nature or toxic
exposure.
What are you rated for?
(36:49):
What are they calling it?
Speaker 2 (36:53):
It's called chronic fatigue due to the residual of
the vaccine.
I'm 100% for that 100% for that.
Speaker 4 (37:04):
And why don't just they rate you for vaccine,
injury or hazardous materialexposure or toxic material?
Did they ever say anythingabout that?
Speaker 2 (37:14):
When I talked to the guy rating me, he was saying
like they don't have any of thatto be rated as like it's not in
the paperwork they don't have acode, the va.
Speaker 3 (37:29):
Apparently the va doesn't have a code for vaccine.
Speaker 2 (37:31):
Injuries no, they don't because they don't want to
admit it yeah, um.
Speaker 4 (37:40):
So that 100 percent permittal on the way that you're
rated.
From what I understand, it hashad a bit of an impact on your
care, because the wording um isgetting in the way, is it not
today?
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (37:57):
so, um, we filed for my husband to be my caregiver.
He actually had to get out ofthe military because I have to
have 24-7 care.
You know, I can't go get waterfor myself, I can't make food, I
can't fold laundry, becauseI'll literally pass out or I'll
(38:23):
just be in so much pain.
And we filed for him to be mycaregiver and they denied it
because the paperwork sayschooses to stay in bed.
And we showed my VA, primarycare, that and she was like I
never said you choose to stay inbed.
Speaker 4 (38:42):
You, you are in bed because you have to be so that
wording is getting in the way ofyour husband becoming and
getting paid a caregiver for youis that correct we're still in
the works, trying to figure thatout and trying to resubmit.
Speaker 2 (39:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (39:08):
Mike, would you mind telling us what you did while
you were in the service?
Speaker 5 (39:15):
Yes, I was a gunner's mate as well.
At the time I was an instructorand when Lindy got out of the
military we ended up moving,transferring, and I was an
instructor for a reserve unit inCalifornia and it got to the
(39:36):
point where I couldn't keep upmy work anymore.
I couldn't take care of theoffice and take care of my wife.
I was teleworking more than Iwas at the office.
They had to have a reservist onorders full time in order for
things to keep moving and Istill was honestly failing at my
work and failing.
(39:56):
So it just became necessary forme to get out and take care of
Lindy full time.
Speaker 4 (40:07):
So I've been thinking a lot about this.
You know, building up to thisconversation with you two the
people who sat you down and saidthat you could lose your career
, lindy, and this and this andthis would happen, and you know,
yada, yada, yada.
Instead, what actually ended uphappening is you lost your
(40:30):
career anyways and your husbandis now out of the service too.
So two amazing troops that wereon the edge of the rest of
their lives and the militaryimpacted both of your lives.
All for what that's been reallyresounding with me, or for what
(40:50):
that's been really resoundingwith me.
I just want people to know tworeally good people are no longer
in the service, and we reallyneed good people in the service.
We really do.
So you're not getting paidcaregiver status.
That's insane.
Has anybody in Congress or anyof your legislators, anybody
reached out to you to try tohelp?
Speaker 2 (41:13):
No.
Speaker 4 (41:17):
So right now you're going through a new treatment
and you're having to pay for ityourself.
Can you tell us a little bitabout this treatment and why
isn't the VA covering it?
Speaker 2 (41:34):
um, why isn't the VA covering it?
So I was a part of a long COVIDclinic.
Um, because in in Californiawith the VA, um, they said that
my symptoms were so similar tolong COVID.
That's why I was there andbasically, like all my doctors
and the VA and at Stanford theywould say things like you could
die in seven months or theywould just randomly spit out
like diseases I could have, butthey basically said there's
(41:58):
nothing they could do for me andthat I just need to stay home
and rest.
And I was praying and I waslike Lord, like I need help.
I was crying, I was like Lord,what can I do?
Like I can't live this wayanymore, like I'm in so much
pain, you know, and I'll just bepraying this to God, like when
(42:20):
I can, because, you know, I wasin my conscious a lot and I was
just Googling like places thatcan help with rare neurological
disorders, because that's what'sgoing on with me.
It's like the covid shot goespast the blood brain barrier
with the mrna, um, and what theysay with me is that it went
(42:43):
past that, and so that's what'sgoing on.
And I found this place calledsparrow in arkansas and they
help with CRPS, long COVID andrare neurological symptoms.
And we got here nine weeks agoand when I got here I was laying
in a wheelchair.
(43:04):
I couldn't speak, I couldn'topen my eyes and I was in pain
at least an eight all the time,and unfortunately it's $62,000.
For like a five month treatment.
Speaker 4 (43:25):
Sorry, out of your own pocket you're $62,000.
Speaker 2 (43:30):
Yeah, and that's basically our whole life savings
.
How old are you um?
Speaker 4 (43:38):
I'm 31 31 and I.
I asked you guys this earlier.
You guys have been married forfour years yeah, we, we got.
Speaker 2 (43:47):
I got sick six months after we got married.
Speaker 4 (43:54):
That's about like us.
Yeah, has this impacted?
I hate to ask it for such apersonal question, but has this
impacted?
If you guys have, did you guyswant children before?
Speaker 2 (44:06):
Do you still there's?
There's no way, like in mystate, that I can even think
about having a child.
Every time they ask me if I'mpregnant at the doctor, I just
laugh because I cannot havechildren at all.
Speaker 4 (44:21):
If I tried to have a child, I would die.
Did you want?
Speaker 2 (44:23):
children.
We wanted kids.
Speaker 4 (44:34):
But now I'm afraid of being in pain because of how
much pain I'm in all the time.
So the best way people can helpyou is to go to the GoFundMe
and then help Lindy walk again.
Your faith has been reallybeautiful and it seems to be
keeping you grounded.
So, with everything that you'vebeen through, is there anything
that you want to say to yourfellow veterans, to give that,
(44:56):
to show them maybe some of thehope that you have and the fight
that you're?
You have in you Any words ofwisdom?
Speaker 2 (45:05):
My words of wisdom have to come, you know, from
what God's done for me, and it'sbasically like whenever you
feel like everything's crumblingaround you and like
everything's so painful and youdon't know what to do, just talk
to God, because he'll meet youwhere you're at and know for me
(45:32):
in my darkest times, like Iwould just close my eyes and
pray to God and I would see somuch beautiful things and um,
just, he'll always be there foryou and he'll answer your
prayers you will, that's forsure.
Speaker 4 (45:51):
Amen.
Well, lindy and mike, I reallyappreciate you joining us
tonight.
Um, I uh will always be prayingfor you and if there's any way
that jeff and I can ever helpyou in any way, um, please let
us know and keep us posted onhow you're doing, and I pray
(46:12):
that the audience goes to yourGoFundMe page.
Help Lindy walk again, and Ipray they help you.
But to both of you foreverything that you've done for
us in the short time that you'veknown us and for your faith,
for your fight.
It has been an honor getting totalk to you and we wish you all
(46:32):
the best.
With that we're going to endthe show.
We pray everybody has a greatweek and we will talk to you
again next week.
Speaker 6 (46:43):
God bless you all the way is lost.
My eyes they strain to see.
I struggle forth to find afriend to light the way for me.
Oh brothers, can you hear myvoice, or am I all alone?
(47:08):
If there's no fire to guide myway, then I will start my own.
Oh, my God, we'll have our homeagain.
My God, we'll have our home.
My blood or sweat will getthere.
(47:28):
Yet, my God, we'll have ourhome.
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