Arizona resident to advocate for the 5.5 million Hidden Heroes caring for wounded, ill, and injured veterans
Photo Courtesy of 2023 Dole Caregiver Fellow Susan Graham
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation announced Susan Graham of Prescott, Arizona will join its 2023 class of Dole Caregiver Fellows—fourteen military and veteran caregivers who have been carefully selected from across the country to bring attention to the tremendous challenges facing America’s 5.5 million hidden heroes – the spouses, parents, family members, and other loved ones who provide more than $14 billion in voluntary care for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans every year.
As a Dole Caregiver Fellow, Graham will serve as a leader, community organizer, and advocate for military caregivers and their families in their states and nationwide. They are trained by the Foundation and empowered to share their stories directly with national leaders in the White House, Congress, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and other government agencies, as well as decision makers in the business, entertainment, faith, and nonprofit communities. The Fellows guide the Foundation, its coalition partners, and government and community leaders on the most pressing issues concerning military caregivers and influence positive change on behalf of these hidden heroes.
“With this class of fellows, we are hearing about a wider range of struggles that military and veteran caregivers face, including from those caring for someone who served before the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “The Fellows are the heart and soul of our work, and we are committed to providing the training, tools, and support these hidden heroes need to not only continue to advocate for their veterans but for their peer caregivers too.”
Graham serves as a caregiver for her husband Arnie who was exposed to Agent Orange and lost his eyesight. Her story is linked here and is pasted below.
Senator Elizabeth Dole created the Dole Caregiver Fellows program in 2012 to directly engage military and veteran caregivers in the Foundation’s mission. The 2023 class represents 11 states and includes a retired military chaplain caring for his wife who lost her hearing in Afghanistan and now helps her advocate for active duty service members and veterans; a reverend caring for her aunt who was one of the first black women to serve in the Air Force during the Korean War; and a son who dropped out of the workforce eight months into his new career at age 28 to move cross country and care for his father whose cancer was caused by toxic exposure during his Naval service.
About Susan Graham
Susan met her husband Arnie, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, at her mother’s senior living facility in Richmond, Virginia. After getting to know each other casually around the facility, they began dating in 2013 after Arnie’s first wife, Ruth, passed away.
Arnie had served in the Marines for 23 years, first as a private and working his way up to Major. After returning from his second tour in Vietnam, where he was exposed to Agent Orange, Arnie began experiencing retinal tears and underwent numerous surgeries on both eyes, ultimately ending in almost total loss of sight in 2018. Exposure to Agent Orange also caused prostate cancer and coronary artery disease, and his wartime experiences led to hearing loss and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
When Arnie lost his eyesight, he lost his independence, hobbies, friends, and self-esteem. Susan also lost her independence, hobbies, and friends since she was now a full-time caregiver for Arnie. Together, they have had to rebuild their lives and adjust to a new normal with the help of special training and transitioning programs. It has only been possible with a lot of counseling, perseverance, determination, and love.
Susan guides Arnie wherever they go, monitors his diet and medications, advocates for his mental and physical healthcare, drives him to all his appointments, meets with his doctors, manages all household chores, and handles all of Arnie’s finances. Susan has to remain diligent at all times to keep Arnie safe since he cannot recognize the dangers around him.
Despite Arnie’s inability to live independently, Susan feels that some organizations don’t consider blindness a disability because of the rehab blind people receive. Susan hopes to advocate for caregivers in the VA system to help them receive their benefits. Before becoming Arnie’s caregiver, Susan had retired from Ernst & Young as a Certified Public Accountant. Susan had also attained the designations of Certified Financial Planner, Certified Fraud Examiner and Registered Investment Advisor and is a published author. Susan volunteers with AARP’s Tax-Aide, serves on the Prescott Planning and Zoning Commission, is Treasurer of their church, and serves on the Finance Committee for Habitat for Humanity. She also hopes to be able to help caregivers during tax season and assist them in achieving financial wellness.
About the Elizabeth Dole Foundation & Hidden Heroes
Elizabeth Dole Foundation is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation’s 5.5 million military caregivers – the spouses, parents, family members, and friends — who care for America’s wounded, ill, or injured service members and veterans at home. Founded by Senator Elizabeth Dole in 2012, the Foundation adopts a comprehensive approach in its support and advocacy, working with leaders in the public, private, nonprofit, and faith communities to recognize military caregivers’ service and promote their well-being. The Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Campaign brings vital attention to the untold stories of military caregivers and provides a network for military caregivers to connect with their peers and access carefully vetted resources. Visit hiddenheroes.org for more information.
