By MAGGIE MCMURRAY
Moapa Valley Progress
Veterans and their caregivers may soon be able to receive emotional help on a local level instead of having to travel to Vegas for support services.
Local residents Elaine Williams and Joe Perez are active advocates for veterans and their caregivers and have been working with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes program and the Las Vegas Life After Active Duty (LAAD) program. The two are working to start a local program to help both veterans and their caregivers.
Williams said that she is heavily invested in the veteran community. So many people in her life are veterans and she wants to help and serve them, she said.
Williams’ father served in the Navy and so did two of her brothers. Another brother served in the marines. In addition, she currently has a sister in Afghanistan. Her son also served in the marines in Somalia and returned with PTSD and Williams has been part of his caregiver circle.
While veterans’ problems are well-known and there are organizations out there to provide help, Williams said that their caregivers are often overlooked. These caregivers are often referred to as “hidden heroes.”
Williams relates a story that Elizabeth Dole was at her husband Robert’s side in the hospital after a stroke. She saw veterans coming and going. She noticed that their caregivers appeared tired and stressed. It was then that Dole realized that these “hidden heroes” had needs that were not being met.
“My eyes were opened to the tremendous challenges facing the loved ones caring for our wounded, ill, and injured warriors,” Dole said of the experience.
Following this experience, Dole established the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to help raise awareness and seek solutions for military caregivers.
Williams and Perez got the idea to start a local chapter when they worked to help expand the LAAD program in Las Vegas. Earlier this month, the program launched its main office at The Learning Center at 777 North Rainbow Blvd, Suite 150, with a satellite office on West Lake Mead.
Although local veterans and their caregivers are eligible and welcome to use the support services offered here, it requires a trip to Vegas which can be difficult for some, Williams said.
As she worked on the project, Williams wondered why she couldn’t start a chapter in Moapa Valley. After speaking with Perez, the two decided to go forward. Williams volunteered to be the point person for the Moapa Valley area.
Williams is still working to finalize details but is hoping to start offering services as soon as this fall. Some of the services offered will include teaching life skills to caregivers and families including emotional freedom techniques and thought-field therapy (sometimes called tapping). Williams has been teaching these skills and others for over 25 years and believes they have great value. She is also a licensed massage therapist and trained in holistic modalities.
Williams is excited for the opportunities this sort of program will bring to local veterans and their families.
“Learning to care for themselves will help make caregivers that much better at caring for their vets,” she said. “Studies have shown that vets are much more likely to get the help that they need when their caregivers are getting help as well.”
If you are interested in participating in the Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes program and/or a weekly “Caregivers Empowerment Circle” contact Elaine Williams as (702) 845-1368 or elaine@momserve.com. Names of interested individuals are being put on a contact list for when services start.
