Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to the committee for inviting me.
Thank you, Sean, for such an incredible opening statement.
I'm Louise Richard. I'm a retired medical officer and a lieutenant navy registered nurse. I served in the first Gulf War, the 1991 Persian Gulf War.
As Sean stated, I've been an advocate for way longer than I ever thought I would have to be, and the last place I thought I'd be today was here. This has taken a toll that no one here can understand.
Today, even with all the advocacy I've done through the years, my illnesses, my exhaustion with this country, National Defence and Veterans Affairs and every level of government we've had to deal with have exhausted me, and when I speak of me, I mean us.
I'm wearing red today, but not for any political affiliation or Canadian political party. I'm wearing the blood our Canadian men and women have shed on every Canadian's behalf—not just the blood, but the limbs, the wounds, the exposures, the invisible injuries and the trauma; it goes beyond the words that I can even express today.
I wasn't able to even write an opening statement for today because I've had COVID twice. The last time, I was positive for over two and a half months, and dealing with long COVID over and above everything else I'm dealing with was very difficult, so even being here today is a huge effort on my part, and I have Sean to thank for that.
You're incredible. Thank you.
When I went to the Persian Gulf War, I was 29 years old. I'm 63 now. I was a young officer and a keen triathlete. I had just completed postgraduate studies in mental health. I had just been posted here to Ottawa at the National Defence Medical Centre hospital we had at the time, and I was one of the few nurses chosen to go. I was very proud of that, but that pride soon dissipated to where I'm no longer proud. I'm proud of what I've done and of every person who is brave and courageous enough to join and wear the uniform. That has dwindled away for me.
I never chose to become an advocate. I became an advocate because I became ill very quickly, and in working at National Defence Medical Centre, I was witnessing directly the aftermath of our war, seeing casualties walk into that hospital and the abhorrent attitude that was offered to them.
I guess I'll leave it at that. Should I continue my little.... I don't know how much time I have for an opening.