EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE: The Military Caregiver

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The role of a caregiver is vital. They are often a life line for someone who is disabled. Military caregivers are considered an unpaid workforce who work full time for people they love. It could be a husband or wife. Maybe a son or daughter. They put a loved one’s well-being before their own. Mary Ward is a military caregiver in the Cape Fear. She’s also our Extraordinary Person of the Week.

Mary Ward leads a fascinating life. “I teach for NC virtual public school,” she said.

Her classroom sits on top of a fascinating desk. “There’s little league ones here,” she said of a glass top desk on top of enough baseballs to create an American flag.

Some of those baseballs came from major league teams. She’s even a photographer and author. But her biggest role?

“In June of 2010,” she said, “Tom was diagnosed with ALS, he’s exceeded expectations in terms of his disease progression.”

Her biggest role is helping Tom, her husband of more than 35 years. Tom Ward is a veteran. He is a Marine. And what Mary continues to do for him led to her being selected to represent North Carolina as a 2016 Elizabeth Dole Foundation Caregiver Fellow.

Photo: Mary and Tom/Elizabeth Dole Foundation

“I hope that I can provide some advocacy for caregivers of veterans with ALS,” Mary said. “ALS is a tough disease, so the more we canget out and share about our experiences the easier life is for us.”

Her experience helps empower other military and veteran caregivers. She’ll soon be helping raise awareness as well about the critical needs caregivers face every day.

“For somebody who is 24-25 years old,” Mary explained of the challenges,”to think of their life as being a care giver, it’s a tough place to be, so I’m hoping I can in part some of the the things I’ve learned along the way to help them out.”

And though she’s just getting started as an advocate for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and military and veteran caregivers, her husband knows she’ll help veterans and their families around the world.

“You need somebody with the kind of experience, Mary in particular, but peole like her(have),” Tom said. “I know some of the other caregivers at the Elizabeth Dole foundation and some have a ton of experience that they can let go and teach some of the younger people how to navigate the system and maybe change the system, or enhance the system.”

From the classroom to the living room, Mary Ward, you are Extraordinary!

Photo: Penney and Jesus/Elizabeth Dole Foundation

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!  One other caregiver was selected this year from North Carolina. Penney Vasquez of Rocky Point. She has a wonder mission as well!

Click here to read all about it and for more on the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.