Injured veterans contribute to the growing global crisis of limb amputations that experts at the WHO and other international organizations say are steadily increasing. Right now, there are probably close to 2 million or more amputees in the United States alone and more than 32 million worldwide. Many are sitting in what they call an “epidemic” of amputees.
In addition to earthquakes, illness, and accidents, many of our youngest American amputees are the result of the continuing war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Why is that? The answer has multiple reasons. First, not as many of our soldiers are dying from their wounds. World War II saw a mortality rate of 30%. Vietnam saw a 24% rate, while Iraq/Afghanistan’s death rate dropped to a staggering 10%. More soldiers are surviving, so we see an increase in complications from their original injuries, often resulting in amputations. Second, IEDs are the largest contributor in this Purple Heart population. Our best armor in both machine and clothing protects vital body parts, but not necessarily all body parts. Limbs remain at risk.
Recovery, recovery, and rehabilitation can stress the wounded soldier, the family, and the military support system itself. Once the veteran is finally ready to go home, what additional assistance will be needed? Depending on which limbs have been lost, the answer could range from minimal to major. If one or both legs have been amputated, home renovations may be needed. Are the doors big enough? Are there stairs leading into or out of the house, as well as inside the house? Are the bathrooms big enough? Is there space for adaptive equipment and handrails?
Although VA provides the most needed supplies, who pays for home renovations? Who builds and pays for a wheelchair ramp (if needed)? Who pays for the extension of the doors and the kitchen and/or the bathroom? Uncle Sam is not going to take care of those accounts. Unfortunately, those costs are left to the family or others who want to help. And how are families supposed to pay for all these necessary renovations and modifications to their homes? Well, that is exactly the right question.
There are various groups trying to help our wounded veterans in any way they can. There’s a wonderful article on PBS with lots of supporting websites. It can be found at http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/remembrance/wounds.html
Other groups found are:
* Freedom is Not Free: Helps wounded service members and their families with travel expenses, mortgage and utility bills, and special beds for burn victims.
* Building Homes for Heroes: Committed to supporting these extraordinary men and women, with the goal of building homes for families in dire need.
* Heroes at Home – A program that Sears Holdings has created in partnership with Rebuilding Together is committed to providing warmth, security and accessibility to homeowners who may not have the financial or physical resources to complete needed home repairs and other improvements.
* Troop Housing – Collects donations of money, building materials, and professional labor and coordinates the process of building a home that provides maximum freedom of movement and the ability to live more independently at no cost to the veteran or his family.
* Project HERO – to improve the lives of disabled veterans in the United States by combining the volunteer spirit and expertise of the International Code Council (ICC) and the International Code Council Foundation (ICCF) with the home rehabilitation expertise of Rebuilding Together and its dedicated veterans. Department of Services.
If you are interested in helping the organizations listed, please contact them to do so. If you want to make a more personal contribution to a specific veteran or his or her family, you can do that too. It’s possible to help support these injured heroes and earn them residual income at the same time. That way, your support will last for many years.