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SAN ANTONIO - While the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program staff welcomed a new intake of recovering service members, one couple welcomed a new take on life.
Wounded Warrior caregivers devote their hearts, bodies and minds to improving the lives of the service members they watch over and care for.
“A caregiver is an unsung hero,” said Tonya McGaugh, Air Force Wounded Warriors caregivers program manager. “Their jobs are to take care of their service members, to give back, to show love patience and kindness.”
According to McGaugh, the caregiver program is designed to be flexible as no two injuries or people are the same. Caregivers prepare themselves to provide the utmost support for their service member.
Jeff Harper used to be a loadmaster and was fresh out of training to continue his duties on a new airframe when his accident occurred.
After multiple surgeries, doctor visits and traveling to receive the medical attention he required, he was told he would never be able to run again.
“You’re learning along the way,” said wife and caregiver Joanie Marie Harper. “There are situations where you're withdrawn somewhat from society, however when you're speaking with the people that are involved with the program everyone can relate to one thing in everyone else's life.”
Additional obstacles occasionally present themselves as well mentioned Joanie, and at times wounded warriors and their caregivers may share a sense of reluctance.
“I felt like I didn't deserve this opportunity,” said Jeff Harper. “I didn’t want to take a spot from anybody that was wounded during combat, and I believed I was robbing someone of that opportunity.”
The Harper’s shared that clearing the self-imposed mental hurdles barring those from joining is the first step in recovery for many.
“There are people that are ahead of you in the recovery process and then you see the hope, the chance for you to get there,” said Joanie Harper. “It’s encouraging and the thing is since they've been where you were they can cheer you on.
“As for my husband, today he thanked me for us coming here and I had to ask him, ‘why are you thanking me’,” said Joanie. “He told me he actually did this for me and now I see a spark in my husband’s eyes I haven't seen in a long time.”
| Date Taken: | 01.28.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.28.2015 16:20 |
| Story ID: | 152967 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO RANDOLPH, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 164 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Overcoming the fear, how a couple moved forward, by TSgt Jordan Castelan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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