By the Numbers: 14 April 2025
2.3 Million
The number of children in America who "are living with a disabled veteran in their home—a number researchers said is likely an undercount," according to an article in The War Horse, an online publication -- The Hidden Costs of Caregiving: Meet the Kids Taking Care of Wounded Veterans.
These injured service members and veterans are often called wounded warriors; their caregivers more recently earned the nickname hidden heroes.
And their children? The ones who babysit siblings during VA appointments; the ones who comfort their parents, saying everything will be OK; the ones who clean the house or tiptoe around it while someone is sleeping, or medicated, or in a PTSD-triggered rage—they are what the Elizabeth Dole Foundation calls “hidden helpers.”
Despite their numbers, military caregiving kids are often left out of the conversation on how our country takes care of those who served. They are rarely studied and often excluded from support programs. There are few platforms designed to connect or inform them.
2.3 Million
The number of children in America who "are living with a disabled veteran in their home—a number researchers said is likely an undercount," according to an article in The War Horse, an online publication -- The Hidden Costs of Caregiving: Meet the Kids Taking Care of Wounded Veterans.
These injured service members and veterans are often called wounded warriors; their caregivers more recently earned the nickname hidden heroes.
And their children? The ones who babysit siblings during VA appointments; the ones who comfort their parents, saying everything will be OK; the ones who clean the house or tiptoe around it while someone is sleeping, or medicated, or in a PTSD-triggered rage—they are what the Elizabeth Dole Foundation calls “hidden helpers.”
Despite their numbers, military caregiving kids are often left out of the conversation on how our country takes care of those who served. They are rarely studied and often excluded from support programs. There are few platforms designed to connect or inform them.