OUR STORY
Heroes With Handicaps was formed because of our family’s painful journey fighting systems that have no compassion for Special Needs Children. On behalf of our children Anastasia and Alexei, please permit me to share our personal journey as to why I formed Heroes With Handicaps.
Anastasia and Alexei are diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (a form of Autism), Bipolar disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). Due to several years of emotional and physical abuse at Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Germany, they also acquired severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They medically require a therapeutic day treatment school because of their severe PTSD.
While stationed in Hawaii, an excellent day treatment school provided for their medical and educational needs. This school was paid for by the Hawaii Department of Education because the public school system did not have a therapeutic day treatment program.
After returning from a 14-month deployment in Iraq, my husband received orders from the Army moving our family to Texas. Ignoring numerous psychiatrists and psychologists who emphatically stated that our children medically needed to stabilize in Hawaii, the Army moved us to Texas.
The Army refuses to assist families in Special Education issues, claiming it is the State’s responsibility. TRICARE (military insurance) also refuses to pay for any mental health services in an educational setting. The State of Texas (and many other States) refuses to pay for mental health services in an educational setting. Families are left on our own to bear the financial burden of meeting our children’s needs.
There are THOUSANDS of families who are enduring a similar journey. I formed Heroes With Handicaps in the hopes of relieving some of the financial burden that Special Needs families endure due to the needs of the military. Special Needs children are the true Heroes!
"Our slogan is 'Heroes NOW!' because these children need treatment and services NOW, not when a cure is found."
Laurilee Etterbeek
NOW
After painful diligence and financial burden, many, many hours of research and communication with military and numerous educational facilities, Anastasia and Alexei are currently receiving emotional and educational therapeutic day treatment in a private school that is internationally recognized for their mission of "Shaping lives from the inside out".
Our beautiful Heroes are emerging "to be all they can be" NOW
