Rebuilding Warriors

My name is Justin Von Bargen. I am a disabled veteran from the United States Army. I currently live in California with my wife and two daughters.

I was medically discharged in 2010. My discharge includes the following disabilities: 18 degree rotated spine, intermittent paralysis to the lower extremities, slipped disks in my L7 vertebra, reduced range of motion (back, shoulder, hip, and knees), Anxiety/PTSD, insomnia, sleepwalking, and chronic pain.

I was stationed, in the Army, at Fort Lewis Washington. My MOS was 92F petroleum supply specialist and I was an E4.

I was training alongside the 1st Special Forces group (SF). We were getting ramped up to deploy to Iraq. A couple months in to working with them, we had to conduct black-out refueling operations supporting the SF vehicles. On our second fuel point, when exiting the HEMTT. I fell approximately 10 feet straight down into a hole. I was wearing a full tactical load. When I fell I rotated my spine and it is now stuck that way. I have had back issues from then on.

I have a permanently rotated spine at 18 degrees off center, narrowing of the spinal canal, intermittent paralysis to both my legs, knee issues, hip issue, and shoulder issue.

I also suffer from social Anxiety/PTSD (don't know what the psych has me down for) from getting mugged then robbed for $40 at an ATM on post. A week later the guy was caught off guard when he tried doing the same thing to an off duty MP. Now I just try to make sure I'm not in any kind of situation where this could happen again. I stay home when I'm not at work.

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My daughters are the loves of my life. LeeAnna is two years old and is holding her baby sister, Olivia. I look forward to coming home to both of them every single day.

I would like to be able to take my family to places like Disneyland, but my anxiety gets the best of me. With treatment from my psychologist and psychiatrist my anxiety has been a bit more manageable. They feel a service animal would benefit me greatly in my struggle. My physician also believes a service animal will help me physically with my daily activities and aid me when I drop items, or need a little help getting up.

Thank you Rebuilding Warriors for your support to all the veterans you have helped, are helping, and will help in the future.

Justin Von Bargen

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Jeff Anderson
CEO/Founder, Rebuilding Warriors