Description: Caregiving is not a new idea but it desperately needs to be modernized. People assume, when they are not in that position, that programs and services are easily accessible for all. Only to find out, once in the position, that their assumption was completely wrong.
Military caregivers are the most understudied group in the caregiver world. Military caregivers experience more health problems, face more strain in family relationships, and have more workplace issues than non-caregivers.
I became a military caregiver to my catastrophically injured veteran husband at 29 years old, and I’m here to tell you that changes are needed to aid caregivers and help them make plans.
Bio: I’m a proud wife and mama to two boys, Blayne and Maks. I’m a passionate philanthropist, an advocate for trauma survivors and fellow military caregivers, a special-needs mama, and (sometimes) love dogs more than humans! I traded my corporate career to become a caregiver for my family to ensure their mental and physical health.
On March 15, 2005, my husband, United States Army Specialist Douglas Kinard was critically injured on his tour of duty in Iraq by an IED (improvised explosive device) while on convoy security, resulting in a severe traumatic brain injury that left him in a coma for three days. On September 15, 2010, he retired from the United States Army, and I became his full-time caregiver and advocate at 29. In 2010, our first son Blayne was born and later diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Then our second son Maks was born in 2012, and in 2013 Gunner, our beloved service dog, joined the family. Service dog Gunner improved our lives, supporting my husband with mobility and his PTSD and TBI diagnosis. However, it was a long arduous road to get our service dog approved by the VA. In June of 2014, I founded the SD Gunner Fund, a nonprofit organization with the mission to assist veterans, children with disabilities, and first responders while inspiring disability awareness through public education and advocacy.
I formed Britnee Kinard, LLC, in 2022, where I consult with and speak to companies and organizations nationwide to educate and inspire, showing how critical courage is to live a life of impact and purpose while raising awareness about military caregivers as well as how to turn trauma into triumph. In addition to speaking engagements, I offer programs to companies and organizations that feature business compliance, education, training, and resources on service dog laws, ADA service dog regulations, and HUD/FH service dog and emotional support animal laws.
Just going with the flow? Our midnight blue draped shirt is the way to go. This slightly fitted at the bottom shirt gives you an easy going look.
