Blast Exposure & Brain Injuries: MCPL Shane Nedohin Part IV

In this powerful continuation of my conversation with Shane Nedohin, MCPL (ret'd), we dive deeper into the challenges faced by Veterans dealing with blast-induced brain injuries. Shane recounts his call with the former Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, where he expressed his frustration over the government's lack of prioritization for Veterans' needs and wellbeing. During this conversation, ADM Steven Harris mentioned that VAC is considering moving toward a presumptive model for soldier and Veteran injuries. Shane passionately argues for diagnoses to consider injuries alongside symptomology and exposure to blast overpressure. He recalls receiving a claim denial letter stating the absence of medical research to support the facts that overpressure blasts cause brain injuries, despite allies like the Americans recognizing this connection. The Americans issued a memo from the Deputy Secretary of Defense titled "Department of Defense Requirements for Managing Brain Health Risks from Overpressure," which Shane and other Canadian veterans want VAC to adopt. Shane advocates for a complete overhaul of the VAC system, using the American model as a benchmark, to provide a national level of care for Veterans. This care would address not only traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) but all injuries specific to soldiers. He emphasizes the need for recognition of soldiers' injuries caused by service, starting with believing their experiences and holding VAC accountable for their care. We explore the overlapping symptoms of PTSD, TBI, and CTE, and how misdiagnoses can lead to improper treatment for veterans. Shane also discusses the importance of brain donation with Project Enlist Canada to fund research and enable the diagnosis of CTE in living individuals. In a deeply personal moment, Shane opens up about losing members of JTF2 to suicide, including his close friend and colleague, Pete Duff, who was his backup JTF2 breacher. We conclude by addressing the urgent need to take Veterans' mental health and suicides seriously, ensuring they receive the proper care and support they deserve before they become a statistic.