Since the onset of The Global War on Terrorism, 3.7 million veterans have answered the call to serve. The Department of Veteran Affairs projects that the Post 9/11 veteran population will increase by 32 percent by 2043 (US Cong, 2015). For those 3.7 million veterans and their families, the two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been accompanied by many difficult demands upon their families.
This projection signifies the importance of the narration of my story. Embodied within this projection our spouses who with their vows, will also become military caregivers. It is estimated that there are approximately 5.5 million military caregivers within the U.S. Of those, some 19.6 percent or 1.1 million are like myself caring for veterans who served post the events of Sept. 11, 2001 (Ramchand, R.., 2014).
Post 9/11 caregivers are younger, ranging from 18 to 30 years of age and 53 percent have no caregiving network (Ramchand, R.., 2014). Providing care for ones loved one is a demanding and difficult duty. Often times, this duty is particularly demanding for the Post 9/11 caregivers who like myself find ourselves juggling care duties associated with family life and career aspirations.
Results show, that caregivers pay a price for their devotion. Military caregivers regularly encounter greater health outcomes, strains in family relationships, and workplace problems than non-caregivers. In addition, for post-9/11 military caregivers such as myself, results show that we fare worst in these areas (Ramchand, R.., 2014). It is statistics such as these that call for the sharing of my narrative in an attempt to educate, empower and encourage communities to learn about the challenges our families face each day. In addition, I hope to empower community leaders to develop policies, procedures and programs that will serve as support mechanisms in alleviating those challenges.
Twenty-five years ago while staring at the ribbons upon the chest of my warrior, echoing the words “I do,” I envisioned a life of service. With my vow, I earned a pair of combat boots that over the years have become worn and tattered. Today I wear my boots while I walk alongside him through the halls of both the VA and community hospitals, doctor office and while standing behind podiums sharing our story. A story that serves as my mission to educate, empower, and inspire others to share their story.
I challenge each of you to find your story and find ways to use it to inspire others. Through the sharing we can be a force of empowerment that will raise awareness to and inspire change within our communities. Change that can lead to making the balancing of caregiving, family and career more manageable.
References
Ramchand, R., Tanielian, T., Fisher, M. P., Vaughan, C. A., Trail, T. E., Epley, C., & … Ghosh-Dastidar, B. (2014). Hidden Heroes: America’s Military Caregivers.
U.S.Cong., Joint Economic Committee. (2015). 10 Key Facts about Veterans of the Post-9/11 Era [Cong. Doc.].
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