PRLog (Press Release) -
Mar. 1, 2013 - 26 February 2013, Tuesday – Calgary, Canada - In 2008 at the age of 38, Mr. Gieschen had 16 years of experience; 8 years managing, developing and selling security products, 4 years in fraud investigation, consulting and prevention, and 4 years as the Director of a global intelligence agency. He published hundreds of intelligence reports which were used by governments and agencies around the globe, but wanted a change. “Having worked with intelligence agencies and branches within law enforcement, customs, and the military I developed a great respect for those who worked in the public service. I enjoy a challenge was very fit and had at least 3 tours worth of Intel experience so I applied to and was accepted into the Canadian Forces as an Intelligence Officer. In total I spent 16 consecutive months away from my family, was trained for 7 months and provided intelligence training to personnel and advised senior staff for 23 months. I endured basic and advanced warfare training before being asked to join the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM). I was posted to LFWA in Edmonton for 9 months where I used my previous experience to train Intelligence Officers before being transferred to Calgary for 9 months as the G2, or head of military intelligence, for 41 Canadian Brigade Group. Overall it was a great experience until I was injected with a substance called AREPANRIX or the H1N1 vaccine. I had a life-threatening reaction to the vaccine and retired, in the words of the Commanding Officer of LFWA, as one of the most over qualified Second Lieutenants in the CF. I applied to Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) but was denied rehabilitation and disability benefits. In a letter following a complaint to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of PEI the veteran received an apology from the VAC Physician. Dr. David Ashby, a prominent General Surgeon employed by VAC, claimed one of the veterans illnesses, Multiple Sclerosis, had no medical treatment, a claim vigorously disputed by the veterans neurologist. “There is a large body of medical literature that demonstrates that disease-modifying therapies in MS do reduce the recurrence of MS attacks”. In 2012 two physicians from the Canadian Forces, the head of the Department of Medical Policy and the Area Surgeon for LFWA investigated the veterans injury, a severe reaction to the H1N1 vaccine AREPANRIX, concluding it was a service related injury which aggravated his MS and caused permanent life-threatening cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. VAC personnel verbally admitted the department made grave errors when it initially evaluated the injury. They finally approved the applications, but officially deny any negligence on its part and the Minister of Veterans Affairs refuses to apologize to the veteran. Mr. Gieschen said “it feels good to finally have an apology from the doctor, the department is clearly at fault and needs to take responsibility for itself. I am also very concerned that many of my colleagues in the CF may encounter the same problem if VAC does not investigate and implement improved screening and testing of physicians. Because of the severity of this error in my mind it casts doubt over the credibility of the entire department and makes me wonder how many other veterans may have been denied or given substantially reduced rehabilitation or disability awards. I hope this has not occurred.”
