The men and women of the Armed Forces have been providing an example of service, to their country, for over 200 years.  Many families have watched and supported their loved one as they head off to fulfill the missions assigned to them.  Unfortunately, in the process of fulfilling those missions, not all loved ones return home as they left.  The need has presented itself, to assist in supporting the service of the family member, whose chosen mission is to care for and provide a quality of life to their loved one that has been seriously injured while in service to their country. 

I thank the Committee for allowing me the opportunity to respectfully submit this testimony for the record and I strongly support this direly needed legislation.  My name is Anna Frese and I currently am working with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) as a Family Outreach Coordinator for Brain Injury.   My understanding for the urgent need of H.R. 3051 does not just come from working with the Wounded Warrior Project, but also what I witness daily as sister of Retired Army Sergeant Eric Edmundson, who was seriously injured in Iraq in October of 2005, and is currently living at home receiving 24/7 total care from our father, Edgar Edmundson.   

Our family made the decision to bring Eric home and care for him.  This decision was made knowing that it was what Eric would want.  As our father says, “My son went to war, he honored himself, he honored his family, and he honored his nation.  He went to war, did his duty and got injured.  As a parent, Eric, in my eyes is not a handicapped person, he is not a 100% disabled Veteran; Eric in my eyes is a 28 year old husband, a father and a young man with a whole life ahead of him.  I as a parent need to honor him, and see to it that his needs are met.” 

It is important for Eric's young family that Eric be home, and be an active part in daily life.  Eric is not only dealing with medical or rehab issues, he needs to be home to help deal with everyday issues so that he is meeting his responsibilities and being included, involved and helping to keep his small family intact.  Anyone can be trained to take care of medical needs, but when you are 28 years old, a husband and father with responsibilities and a desire to get your life back - it goes a lot deeper than pills and therapy.   You need to be around people that know you, understand you, and are willing and able to be there for you. 

Our father sees it as his duty to ensure not only that Eric's short term goals are met but that a focus remains on his long term goals as well.  He focuses on helping Eric in maintaining a high morale and self-esteem which is paramount in the achievement of reaching his goals.  Some long term goals to getting his life back include his hobbies of hunting and fishing – and our family sees that there is no reason that he can't have those as a regular part of his life.  

The decision to bring Eric home came with sacrifice and changes on many levels.  Ours is just one of many families that have adapted to the “new normal” with changes in family infrastructure, in relationships with friends and extended family, in finances, in hopes, plans and goals for the future.  Upon learning of Eric’s life long challenges, our father resigned his position at work, in order to provide Eric the full-time care that was needed.   This decision did leave him and our mother with one less income, and in times of need they had to dissolve their personal and retirement savings.  Just as importantly, now at 53 years old my father is no longer is covered by health insurance. 

The financial and emotional stress of not having the ability to maintain ones physical health is not only reflected in our family, but again in many of the families caring for their severely injured Veteran.  By the Committee supporting H.R. 3051, family caregivers will have the option of receiving training by the VA, certifying them to receive compensation for the care they are providing their Veteran.  This compensation will possibly allow some to better manage their own lives and health, so that they will be there for their loved one in the future.  

One constant statement that I hear not only from my father, but other family caregivers who have made the same decision as ours, is that they are grateful.  They are grateful to have the opportunity to spend time and enjoy the life of their loved one.  So many Service Member and Veterans have persevered through immeasurable odds, and families see it as their time to persevere and provide as much joy and quality of life as possible.    

The family caregivers of these returning wounded warriors appreciate the concern, and acknowledge the recommendations that are trying to provide for the many others caring for their loved one.  These warriors need someone at their side who know them, understands them, and someone who is willing to be there for them and speak for them, in order for him to fully recover - or recover as much as possible.  Families just wish it to be known they are committed to being by their Veterans side no matter what; the need is just too urgent. This legislation will allow family caregivers to follow through on that commitment.