Mom Fights For Military Families With Complex Medical Needs

WASHINGTON - May 7, 2022 - PRLog -- CBS Evening News featured military spouse Austin Carrigg on May 6th, 2022 featured military spouse Austin Carrigg on May 6th, 2022. In the piece that aired, Austin Carrigg stated: "I know that my husband has said that he would give his life for our country, but we never thought they'd ask for our daughter's." This statement has resonated with many military families, both those with disabilities and those without. She hopes the nonprofit she founded, Exceptional Families of the Military, will be her daughter Melanie's legacy, that no family will have to pay the price that's being asked of hers.

"Beneficiaries like Melanie should not have to endure a devastating decline in health in order for their loved ones to serve this great nation," says Holly Duncan, Government Affairs and Family Advocacy Director.

A 2021 Defense Primer notes that as of  2020, there were 146,824 military dependents (9% of all military dependents) utilizing the Exceptional Family Member Program. If the processes and programs are not updated to reflect the needs of these families, the military is likely to lose some of its most resilient service members. After all, a service member can not be prepared for a fight if they are worried about what is happening at home.

Founded in 2020, Exceptional Families of the Military (EFM) is a non-profit organization specializing in helping Military families enrolled in EFMP. EFM is comprised of an all-volunteer staff with ties to the military and EFMP. EFM works on Government Policy and Legislative Priorities on behalf of EFMP-enrolled families. We are part of the EFMP coalition, the largest group representing EFMP families. Across our social media platforms, we have nearly 14,000 followers. Our 16 online Peer-to-Peer Support groups serve 9,400+ EFMP families across the DoD. When peer-to-peer support is not sufficient, we provide 1:1 direct family support.

CBS Report: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/military-families-health-car...
PressKit: https://bit.ly/EFM_Press_Folder