It’s one thing to lose one arm or one leg, but Dave Riley, a former member of the Coast Guard and rescue swimmer suffered a bacterial infection causing him to lose both of his arms and both of his legs. The bacterial infection did not just take away his limbs though it also affected a number of his internal organs. However, despite his traumatic loss, and the overwhelming grief from losing his limbs he found a renewed purpose. He is the National Commander of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and he recently got to meet President Donald j. Trump.
Dave Riley wrote of what it meant to him to meet the President and shake “hands” with him:
As a former Coast Guard rescue swimmer, I am all too familiar with adrenaline-pumping experiences. Though quite a bit different than plunging from a helicopter into icy waters to perform an emergency rescue, shaking hands with the President of the United States was still a surreal, unforgettable moment in my life.
I was proud to represent DAV as President Trump recently authorized the creation of the VA Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection.
I was even more proud to have my wife, Yvonne, standing by my side.
As a quadruple amputee, a lot of people ask about and thank me for my service. No one ever stops to thank my wife for the decades of service she’s selflessly given as my caregiver.
One of the things Dave Riley is trying to bring attention to is the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. As the program currently stands it only applies to veterans injured after September 11, 2001. Dave’s wife Yvonne cares for Dave every day. She is critical to his survival but it’s hard work. My father was an injured vet and my mother had to care for him. It’s expensive, time consuming and draining. The extra financial assistance would provide a MAJOR benefit to Dave and his wife.
Shaking hands with Donald Trump reminded Dave of how important it is to have a caregiver at his side and also serves as a reminder of how much Trump does care about our vets!
If you find this to be an inspiring story, please be sure to share it with others. More stories like this need to be told and the government should do all it can to protect and aid our veterans!
Source: IJ Review