Comments | militarymamas: Yes, i'm exceptional!

simplydorei in militarymamas

Yes, i'm exceptional!

Dec 22, 2006 23:22

So, i'm wondering if anyone here has knowledge or experience of the AF's 'Exceptional Family Member Program' (EFMP) or anything similar in other branches.

Basically, they've diagnosed me with a probable auto-immune disease that needs treatment overseen by a specialist on a monthly basis...and since the interior of Alaska is literally in the middle ( Read more... )

Comments 4

nilo December 23 2006, 09:02:18 UTC

We're Army, so I'm not sure how long the AF might take to move on this. But the AF does seem to be a bit kinder to its members and families, so that's a plus.

I think your relocated placement would depend on your husband's MOS and the AF's ability to treat you. Hopefully, both could be taken care of someplace where you'd want to be, but I honestly don't know how much of a factor your desire would be.

If you require major medical attention on a monthly basis, I would think you'd most likely wind up at a larger base - like McChord or something.

Good luck and I hope you both are ok.

simplydorei December 23 2006, 20:52:50 UTC

Thanks, Nilo...i'm positive things will work out, i'm just always focused on the details of it all! :D

innocent_liar December 23 2006, 11:05:38 UTC

We're Army, but I'll tell you what our experience has been. My daughter was born while we were stationed in Italy. She has a condition called Arthrogryposis (I didn't know while I was pregnant) that causes her to need weekly occupational and physical therapy as well as visit with an orthopedic surgeon on a regular basis. Anyway...back to when she was born. We enrolled her in the EFMP program and got a 1 year compassionate reassignment from Italy to a place close to Boston. She had 2 surgeries while we were there. Our compassionate reassignment ended this last summer, and according to the EFMP program the Army can't send us somewhere where they don't have the care available to take care of her. SOMEHOW we end up in Alaska. The only orthopedic surgeon in the state does not accept TriCare. So, our only option is to be flown down to Seattle for her doctor visits. She does get OT here in Anchorage and we're working on getting PT going. It's honestly been a very annoying process. But I'm sure if you go somewhere other than ( ... )

simplydorei December 23 2006, 20:55:32 UTC

Wow. Just wow...i'm so sorry to hear that! What an ordeal.

Thanks for all the details, though. It's good to know what has happened in other cases if for no other reason than to have some sort of parameter of expectations.

And i must say...your daughter is adorable! After that story, seeing that sunshiney smile just makes you feel better. (: