Fighting for wounded warriors: CNN helps save funding for caregivers for our nation’s wounded

Hartswick, an Army senior combat medic, lost both his legs after an improvised explosive device detonated under him in Zhari Province, Afghanistan, in 2013.

“Not only did my son lose his legs … but then financially if you got to worry about — is my house going to be here when I get back from tending to my son, that’s a double whammy,” Hummel said.

The Department of Defense reimbursement allowed Hummel to leave her job to care for her son, “and not worry that I couldn’t pay my mortgage when I came back.”

The Pentagon classifies caregivers such as Hummel as NMAs, or “non-medical attendants.” They are sometimes family, or friends, or others, who work with troops who have been severely wounded, often with missing limbs or debilitating brain injuries. They treat their wounds, help them re-learn how to stand, or walk, or speak, and nurse them to as much independence as they can achieve.

“Having your mom there is important,” Hartswick said. “And having my dad there to, you know, wake me up in the middle of the night and keep me calm, that was vital to my recovery.”

Hartswick has made great strides in regaining his independence. He is now out of the hospital, and even dating.

Now, with these funds restored, families like Hartswick’s will be able to continue the journey back from battle, together.

CNN