Healing Heroes Network
Encyclopedia
Healing Heroes Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to veterans injured in the line of duty while in Iraq
or Afghanistan
on or after September 11, 2001. The organization uses its network of medical providers to find treatments for its "Heroes," the veterans in need of assistance, that are otherwise denied or delayed through Veterans Affairs
(VA).
with a specialty in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), noticed he frequently would get veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan in his office suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries
(TBI). These veterans chose to come to his offices instead of the VA hospitals. Because HBOT is used off-label but is not an official treatment for PTSD and TBI, it isn't usually covered by the VA.
Dr. Spiegel saw that the VA didn't always have the resources to provide the specific treatments that soldiers wanted to use. He would often treat these soldiers free of charge, but decided he wanted to do more to help these veterans." In late 200 he founded Healing Heroes Network as a national charity, headquartered in Palm Harbor, Florida
, to fill the gaps left in the VA benefits system.
In 2009, Healing Heroes received its official 501(c)3 nonprofit status.
, Massage Therapy, Chiropractic Services
, Physical Therapy
, Dental Services, and Counseling.
Healing Heroes has a list of medical providers, but applicants are free to request other doctors as long as they are pre-approved.
motorcycles, a 2011 Fat Boy Lo and a 2011 Streetglide, as well as a year's worth of gasoline. A drawing will be held on December 1, 2011, with the winner announced December 11, 2011.
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
or Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
on or after September 11, 2001. The organization uses its network of medical providers to find treatments for its "Heroes," the veterans in need of assistance, that are otherwise denied or delayed through Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs is a term of the business that deals with the relation between a government and its veteran communities, usually administered by the designated government agency. It might refer to:*Department of Veterans' Affairs...
(VA).
History
Healing Heroes Network was founded in 2008 by Dr. Allan Spiegel and his wife, Stacey Spiegel. Dr. Spiegel, a neurologistNeurologist
A neurologist is a physician who specializes in neurology, and is trained to investigate, or diagnose and treat neurological disorders.Neurology is the medical specialty related to the human nervous system. The nervous system encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. A specialist...
with a specialty in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), noticed he frequently would get veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan in his office suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Posttraumaticstress disorder is a severe anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to any event that results in psychological trauma. This event may involve the threat of death to oneself or to someone else, or to one's own or someone else's physical, sexual, or psychological integrity,...
(PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury , also known as intracranial injury, occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism , or other features...
(TBI). These veterans chose to come to his offices instead of the VA hospitals. Because HBOT is used off-label but is not an official treatment for PTSD and TBI, it isn't usually covered by the VA.
Dr. Spiegel saw that the VA didn't always have the resources to provide the specific treatments that soldiers wanted to use. He would often treat these soldiers free of charge, but decided he wanted to do more to help these veterans." In late 200 he founded Healing Heroes Network as a national charity, headquartered in Palm Harbor, Florida
Palm Harbor, Florida
Palm Harbor is a census-designated place and an unincorporated community in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 59,248.-Culture:...
, to fill the gaps left in the VA benefits system.
In 2009, Healing Heroes received its official 501(c)3 nonprofit status.
Services Provided
Healing Heroes Network doesn't provide medical services, but it does provide financial aid for medical treatments not offered or delayed by Veterans Affairs. These treatments include, but aren't limited to: HBOT, AcupunctureAcupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of solid, generally thin needles in the body....
, Massage Therapy, Chiropractic Services
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. It is generally categorized as complementary and alternative medicine...
, Physical Therapy
Physical therapy
Physical therapy , often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession. Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment/intervention,and rehabilitation...
, Dental Services, and Counseling.
Healing Heroes has a list of medical providers, but applicants are free to request other doctors as long as they are pre-approved.
Harleys for Heroes
In August 2011, Healing Heroes Network began its Harleys for Heroes Sweepstakes. Participants purchase tickets to win chances to win two Harley-DavidsonHarley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson , often abbreviated H-D or Harley, is an American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the first decade of the 20th century, it was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression...
motorcycles, a 2011 Fat Boy Lo and a 2011 Streetglide, as well as a year's worth of gasoline. A drawing will be held on December 1, 2011, with the winner announced December 11, 2011.