“Hidden Helpers”: The Kids Caring for America’s Wounded Warriors and Vets

Each instance of Kylie Briest’s father choking on his food was a harrowing experience. Each emergency call, every Heimlich maneuver her mother executed—every instance was laden with uncertainty. Would her father make it through another night? Was she able to shield her little brother from seeing it?

Kylie was only three years old when a roadside bomb in Iraq severely injured her father, Corey. He has always struggled to walk independently, see clearly, or swallow correctly. For Kylie, this is the sole version of him she has ever encountered.

She spent her childhood by his side, giving him medications, pushing his wheelchair, and adjusting her life to accommodate his needs. As a college student, she ensured he felt included—assisting in carrying his wheelchair up the stairs of her sorority house during parent visitation day.

She is not by herself. Approximately 2.3 million children in the United States reside with a disabled veteran, although experts suggest that the actual figure may be even more significant. Although wounded warriors and their caregivers have received acknowledgment, their children—the often unnoticed supporters—continue to be disregarded. They care for siblings during VA appointments, tidy the home to support PTSD symptoms, and provide comfort to parents in distress.

Despite their sacrifices, these children seldom receive recognition in national discussions regarding veteran care. With President Donald Trump’s proposed cuts to federal spending, there is growing concern that the already limited support for families of disabled veterans may diminish even more.

The War Horse is elevating their voices. Kylie’s family in South Dakota, sisters Kimmy Fix and Delany White in North Carolina, and the five siblings of another veteran family in Northern Virginia are sharing their stories to raise awareness, foster community, and advocate for those who will follow.

“The only thing we can do,” Kylie states, “is keep striving to ensure our stories and voices are recognized.”

** Excerpts of this article first appeared in The War Horse newsletter in the advocacy of expanding awareness of military service.