Here at Helping Hands For Freedom (Colorado), our mission is to serve military families of the fallen, wounded, and deployed. The word military calls to mind men and women in uniform, those who are today serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is not hard to imagine the sacrifices that these men and women make. But the images that are too often forgotten are those of wives, husbands, children who stay
behind. Their commitment to our country lies in the sacrifices they have to make while supporting the family member who serves. Over 2 million children have a parent who is in the military. Over 48,000 have a parent that has been wounded or killed during the current conflict. The period before and during deployment can be quite stressful for a young child. The fear of a parent being injured or even killed can be an ongoing worry. Other difficulties include separation anxiety and the adjustments that must be made when only one parent is home such as additional responsibilities with household chores or helping to care for siblings. When parents return from deployment, they are not always the same. Major injuries, such as the loss ofa limb, Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are life-altering and children oftenhave a hard time understanding the reason for a significant change in the appearance, personality or behavior of a parent.
