An Army veteran and his wife contemplate divorce as a last resort to secure adequate healthcare for their daughter with a rare medical condition.
Jake Grey, an Army veteran, and his wife Maria face a heart-wrenching decision that could change their family’s lives forever. Despite nine years of a happy marriage and two beautiful daughters, Brighton, age 6, and Fairen, age 2, the couple is considering divorce. However, unlike many other couples, their reason for considering divorce is not due to a lack of love, but rather the health and well-being of their eldest daughter, Brighton.
Brighton was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a condition that leaves her with the mental capacity of a newborn baby. Her medical needs are extensive and require around-the-clock care. Unfortunately, the government health care available to Jake, a veteran who risked his life for the country, does not provide sufficient coverage for Brighton’s needs.
The family’s financial struggles are a constant burden. Each month, they find it challenging to make ends meet and are always on the verge of falling behind on bills. They applied for Medicaid, but their application was denied because Jake earns $40,000 more than the qualifying limit. Desperate for help, Jake appealed to the government but received no assistance or adequate response.
Left with no other options, Jake and Maria consider divorce as their last resort. If they were to divorce, Maria, as a single mother, could potentially qualify for health care assistance. This drastic measure is driven by the couple’s unwavering love for their daughter and their desire to ensure she receives the care she deserves.
Although Jake has private health insurance as a veteran, he is forced to pay $15,000 out of pocket each year to keep Brighton alive and well. The financial strain is overwhelming. Jake shared his distress, saying, “It’s drowning us to try to keep up with her medical expenses. We’ve done everything we can do to try to keep her afloat, and we’re going to reach a point where we can’t do it, and we won’t have another option. We don’t know what to do.”
The Greys’ story highlights the struggle many American families face, particularly veterans, in accessing adequate health care. The government’s inability to provide sufficient support forces this loving family to contemplate breaking apart to secure the necessary care for their child.
As they grapple with this painful decision, Jake and Maria turn to their faith for guidance, praying that their choice will ultimately save their family. The prospect of losing their beloved daughter due to inadequate health care coverage, despite Jake’s sacrifices as a veteran, is a sobering reminder of the challenges many American families face every day.
This story is a call to action for the government and society to reevaluate the current healthcare system and explore ways to better support families like the Greys. No family should have to consider divorce to secure the necessary care for their child, and veterans who have served their country deserve better support for their families well-being.
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Source: AWM