| Freelance Articles by Mary King |
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| America's young soldiers are returning home with horrific war injuries. Parents, and even grandparents, are stepping into the role of full-time caregiver. |
Disabled American soldiers deserve the best treatment and rehabilitation that medicine has to offer.
Many are facing another kind of battle – a life filled with daily needs and unending challenges. Many of
these young men and women can't make it on their own without some kind of caregiver assistance. Who
is going to care for them?
Caregivers for America's Disabled Military Men and Women
Who cares for the seriously-injured young soldier once he's home? Who picks up the pieces of a
soldier's shattered life? How does a mother or father cope when a traumatically-injured son or daughter
returns home from war with a diagnosis that could last a lifetime? It's time for America to wake up and
recognize these injured soldiers and the unsung heroes of war – the mothers, fathers and other family
relatives who answer the call of caregiver.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has already started spreading the word
concerning the dilemma faced by thousands of military soldiers and their caregiver families. To help
support the effort, journalist and television anchor, Jane Pauley, took part in a video broadcast, titled,
"Picking up the Pieces: When Wounded Vets Come Home" (May 2008). The video gives viewers a
chance to see what takes place when Johnny comes marching home with a debilitating war injury that
could last months, years or even a lifetime.
Pauley interviews two parents; each suddenly finds herself in the role of caregiver for an adult child who
was wounded in the war. At the beginning of the video, Pauley states that as many as 10,000 recently
wounded soldiers must now rely on their parents for long-term care. She also interviews ABC News
anchor Bob Woodruff and his wife Lee, who share their personal story of recovery and healing.*
*Bob Woodruff is the ABC News correspondent that was nearly killed by a roadside bomb on Jan. 29,
2006, in Iraq. He suffered a severe brain injury and was in a coma for over a month. His recovery has
been a long and difficult journey – and a phenomenal victory, to say the least.
Challenges Faced by Parent Caregivers of Wounded Soldiers
What happens when a traumatically-injured soldier comes home? At the very least, both parents might
have well-established careers. Which parent will have to sacrifice his job (and its benefits) to care for the
wounded son or daughter? In most cases it's the mother who gives up her employment.
Suddenly the family's life is turned upside-down; decisions have to be made quickly and there is little
room for error. The questions seem never-ending. What about modifications to the home? Does Mom
have the physical and emotional strength it's going to take to care for a special-needs adult 24/7? Some
questions can't be answered right away:
Many are facing another kind of battle – a life filled with daily needs and unending challenges. Many of
these young men and women can't make it on their own without some kind of caregiver assistance. Who
is going to care for them?
Caregivers for America's Disabled Military Men and Women
Who cares for the seriously-injured young soldier once he's home? Who picks up the pieces of a
soldier's shattered life? How does a mother or father cope when a traumatically-injured son or daughter
returns home from war with a diagnosis that could last a lifetime? It's time for America to wake up and
recognize these injured soldiers and the unsung heroes of war – the mothers, fathers and other family
relatives who answer the call of caregiver.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has already started spreading the word
concerning the dilemma faced by thousands of military soldiers and their caregiver families. To help
support the effort, journalist and television anchor, Jane Pauley, took part in a video broadcast, titled,
"Picking up the Pieces: When Wounded Vets Come Home" (May 2008). The video gives viewers a
chance to see what takes place when Johnny comes marching home with a debilitating war injury that
could last months, years or even a lifetime.
Pauley interviews two parents; each suddenly finds herself in the role of caregiver for an adult child who
was wounded in the war. At the beginning of the video, Pauley states that as many as 10,000 recently
wounded soldiers must now rely on their parents for long-term care. She also interviews ABC News
anchor Bob Woodruff and his wife Lee, who share their personal story of recovery and healing.*
*Bob Woodruff is the ABC News correspondent that was nearly killed by a roadside bomb on Jan. 29,
2006, in Iraq. He suffered a severe brain injury and was in a coma for over a month. His recovery has
been a long and difficult journey – and a phenomenal victory, to say the least.
Challenges Faced by Parent Caregivers of Wounded Soldiers
What happens when a traumatically-injured soldier comes home? At the very least, both parents might
have well-established careers. Which parent will have to sacrifice his job (and its benefits) to care for the
wounded son or daughter? In most cases it's the mother who gives up her employment.
Suddenly the family's life is turned upside-down; decisions have to be made quickly and there is little
room for error. The questions seem never-ending. What about modifications to the home? Does Mom
have the physical and emotional strength it's going to take to care for a special-needs adult 24/7? Some
questions can't be answered right away:
- Will the family have to relocate to make living easier for the injured son or daughter?
- Will both parents be able to learn and administer complicated care?
- What will a single parent do for financial support when she (or he) has to leave work indefinitely to
care for her injured adult child? - Are there any sources for services and support for parents of injured vets?
- How will younger family members cope with household changes and the disruption to their lives?
- What's going to happen to the veteran child when the parent(s) are no longer physically able to
provide care? - Will the family adjust to the lack of privacy that often comes with constant visits from therapists,
social workers and other team specialists that provide care? - Are there any extended family members that are willing to help with care, even if it's only respite
for a few hours a week? - Can the caregiver parent carry out her (or his) role in such a manner as to preserve the dignity of
the injured adult child? - Will the parent of the man or woman child have the courage to ask for help from the community?
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| Disabled Veterans Forced to Rely on Parents for Caregiver Duties |
February 22, 2012
Supporting Wounded Soldiers and Their Families
Many veterans never fully recover from their injuries. Many more
don't require hospitalization, but still need care. A number of
veterans end up homeless, living on the street. How many? In the
video mentioned above, Lee Woodruff shares the shocking
statistics: "One out of every four homeless persons is a
vet."
How can Americans help injured soldiers and their
families?
Volunteer to help and support community events and fund-raisers
for vets. Use your talent or skills to make life a little easier for our
soldiers – build a wheelchair ramp, offer transportation or advocate
for better accessibility in your community. Offer a few hours a week
to a VA hospital. There are more ways to help:
American citizens can make things right for injured vets and their
families. As awareness of the problem spreads, more and more
people are becoming involved. Make the commitment now to help
veterans and their families get through the hard times. Those who
lend their hands today will be part of tomorrow's solution.
Many veterans never fully recover from their injuries. Many more
don't require hospitalization, but still need care. A number of
veterans end up homeless, living on the street. How many? In the
video mentioned above, Lee Woodruff shares the shocking
statistics: "One out of every four homeless persons is a
vet."
How can Americans help injured soldiers and their
families?
Volunteer to help and support community events and fund-raisers
for vets. Use your talent or skills to make life a little easier for our
soldiers – build a wheelchair ramp, offer transportation or advocate
for better accessibility in your community. Offer a few hours a week
to a VA hospital. There are more ways to help:
- Inform anyone who will listen that injured vets and their
families need the help of volunteers and others involved in
community affairs. - Consult the community's VFW, church or community center to
see what help is needed. - Teachers can set a positive example by encouraging children
to show support for American troops. Parents can help by
continuing recognition and support when a vet returns home
to the community. The injured veterans – adult children of
friends and neighbors – need everyone's help.
American citizens can make things right for injured vets and their
families. As awareness of the problem spreads, more and more
people are becoming involved. Make the commitment now to help
veterans and their families get through the hard times. Those who
lend their hands today will be part of tomorrow's solution.
