Website design By BotEap.comWounded veterans contribute to the growing global crisis of limb amputations, which experts from 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.

Website design By BotEap.comIn addition to earthquakes, disease, 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 survive, 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 on both machine and clothing protects vital parts of the body, but not necessarily all parts of the body. Limbs are still at risk.

Website design By BotEap.comRecovery, recuperation, and rehabilitation can stress the wounded soldier, 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 were lost, the answer could be from minimal to major. If one or both legs have been amputated, the home may need renovations. Are the doors big enough? Are there stairs going in or out of the house, as well as inside the house? Are the bathrooms big enough? Is there space for adaptive equipment and handrails?

Website design By BotEap.comEven though 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 bathroom? Uncle Sam is not going to take care of those accounts. Unfortunately, those costs are left to the family or others who wish to help. And how are families supposed to pay for all these necessary renovations and modifications to their homes? Well, that’s exactly the right question.

Website design By BotEap.comThere are various groups that try to help our wounded veterans in any way that they can. There’s a wonderful article on PBS with a bunch of supporting websites. It can be found at http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/remembrance/wounds.html

Website design By BotEap.comOther groups found are:

Website design By BotEap.com* Freedom is Not Free – Helps injured service members and their families with travel expenses, mortgage and utility bills and special beds for burn victims.

Website design By BotEap.com* Building Homes for Heroes: Committed to supporting these extraordinary men and women, with the goal of building homes for families in dire need.

Website design By BotEap.com* Heroes at Home – A program that Sears Holdings has created in partnership with Rebuilding Together is committed to providing warmth, safety and accessibility to homeowners who do not have the financial or physical resources to complete home repairs and other necessary improvements.

Website design By BotEap.com* Homes for the Troops: 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 your family.

Website design By BotEap.com* 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. Services Department.

Website design By BotEap.comIf 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 their family, you can do that too. It is possible to help support these wounded heroes and generate a residual income for them at the same time. That way, your support will last for many years.