Kathleen Fitpatrick, a veteran with multiple sclerosis (MS), shares her journey back to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system after years of managing her condition through private insurance. Initially uneasy in a VA medical center in 1988, she stepped away from military life and health care entirely. Her MS diagnosis came in 2001 after an incident during a pedicure triggered an attack, leading to a long struggle with the disease. In 2020, seeking a COVID-19 vaccine, Fitpatrick returned to the VA, where she found a transformed health care system that offered advanced MS treatments and comprehensive care, including cognitive rehabilitation.

Fitpatrick is now actively involved with veteran organizations, serving as the President of the Colonial Paralyzed Veterans of America Chapter and volunteering with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She encourages veterans with MS to seek VA care, highlighting the modern, specialized services available. The VA provides resources such as regional specialty programs, telehealth services, mental health support, and medication management, all tailored to veterans’ needs. Fitpatrick emphasizes that returning to the VA can lead to access to excellent care and a supportive community for veterans living with chronic illnesses.