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Laura Bumpus
In 2006, Laura founded Gulf War Chemicals, an educational foundation. Gulf War Chemicals (GWC) primary mission is to assist active service men and women, veterans, civilian government employees and their families who are suffering serious health issues due to chemical exposure which occurred during their time of service in Iraq and Afghanistan. In October 2009, Laura was invited to Washington D.C., with co-founder Stacy Pennington, to present a report on the effects of chemical exposure to veterans and their families to the Senate Committee of Veteran Affairs.
Laura's work with GWC and the need for a new livelihood led her back to college in August 2009. Laura currently attends Sierra College, Rocklin, California and is enrolled in their “Virtual Office Program” with an emphasis on web design. Laura was invited to be one of the guest speakers at the Sierra College Fall 2010 Connvocation and she was featured in the Sierra College Alumni Spotlight in October 2010.
Laura Bumpus has been an active veteran’s advocate for several years. She currently serves on the Board Of Directors and as the Virtual Program Director of Veterans, Immigrants, Refuges Trauma Institute of Sacramento (VIRTIS).
In 2009, Laura founded Veterans Portfolios, an organization dedicated to providing active service members and veterans with well crafted, high-quality, professional profiles showcasing both their civilian and military accomplishments. Using a multi-media format, which can include the use of images and video, an e-portfolio is an innovative and professional addition to the standard resume. Currently, Laura is working with the California Department of Veterans Affairs as they are looking at implementing this program (or a similar program) for our California veterans.
Veterans Portfolios, is a direct result of being exposed to the new world of "social media" as a college student. In January, 2010, she attended an e-Seminar sponsored by Monterey State University and Adobe.com. After the seminar, it occurred to her that the use of e-portfolios would provide a tremendous advantage to anyone in today’s competitive job market. She then, asked herself, “What if we could use this for veterans?” The concept for “Veterans Portfolios” was born with that question and has moved forward from there at a breath-taking pace.
Ms. Bumpus’ business background includes being a Public Safety Communicator and Public Safety Training Officer for ten years with specialized national, state and local training in critical incidents and crisis. After a vehicle accident in 2006 Ms. Bumpus had to leave her position as a Public Safety Communicator and Training Officer and has since focused on her work as a veterans advocate and as student of web design and multi-media.
Some friends gave me a lapel button that sums up how I sometimes feel when dealing with this issue: “Don’t Make Me Use My Crabby Mommy Powers”.
Dealing with the VA brings out the Crabby Mommy in me. It starts with the raised eye-brow and the look – that says: “I know what you’re doing and I am NOT impressed.” The foot taps, once or twice and both hands are on the hips, “Now, it may be that you have been so busy you haven’t been able to pay attention to everything. But this is something you must and will pay attention to right now. To do otherwise is irresponsible and unacceptable, people are suffering.” And mama is not going to stop nagging, lecturing and if need be smacking you upside the head (metaphorically speaking, of course) until you pay attention and get it right.
I have to say I feel those Crabby Mommy powers surge when I think of some politicians, lobbyists, and others who are so focused on which team they are playing on that they forget they all serve one people – the citizens of these United States. This is an issue that is a national issue, not a party issue. This is an issue that I think should make each of us stand up and say “No! This is not acceptable!” and do what we can to change it. I say this because I want to urge you to join me in using your version of the “Crabby Mommy Powers” and notify your representatives (if you can all of them, irregardless of party) that you, too, want to see outdated VA rulings reviewed and the plight of these active service members and veterans looked into and the treatment they are receiving from the VA reviewed and hopefully changed to better reflect the tremendous sacrifice these veterans and their families have paid.