She was in her mid-20s
raising two small children when her husband Navy Corpsman Tim Bleigh returned
from Afghanistan in 2011 injured.
“It put almost the
entire load on her, which doesn’t register while it’s going on, but I look back
and think about everything she did. I was like third or fourth kid,” he said.
Jessica Bleigh
admitted the rollercoaster of emotions she has being the main provider of her
family.
“You just have to go
with the flow and just not pull your hair out and go crazy when you’re having a
bad day,” she said. “You call up your best girlfriend and she just makes you
feel better.”
Tim Bleigh was working
with the Marines when his Humvee exploded from an IED in March 2011. He broke
several bones, vertebrae and suffered a traumatic brain injury. He was in the
ICU for a month and in the hospital for several more.
“It happened so sudden
it didn’t register right away,” he said. “All of a sudden so much force is upon
you. You can’t see, you can’t do anything really except realize it hurts.”
Certainly, there are
husbands who are also taking care of their wives who are injured overseas, but
military statistics show women are the majority who bare the care-giver
responsibility.
The wives of wounded
warriors don’t often receive recognition, but that is starting to change.
Four years ago, Barbara McNally started a support group specifically for women who had
become caretakers for their spouse.
“I don’t pretend to
understand,” she said. “I’m just there to provide a place for encouragement.”
“Empty Your Cup” is a
quarterly meeting that allows women to relax with programs like yoga, as well
as share their stories. McNally hosts a spa day at the Hotel Del Coronado.
For two years, she
footed the bill. Then she joined forces with the Wounded Warrior Project and
the Armed Services YMCA. The partnership allows for more
gatherings and therapy programs.
“I would say they’re
the silent strength behind our soldiers. We send our soldiers out and they come
back with medals and flags. The silent heroes are the wives who wait for them
and are there when they’re injured,” said McNally. “I remember I card I got
from one woman. She said I the first person who ever recognized her.”
The US Navy Southwest
region in San Diego has several support programs for family in its Fleet and
Family Support Center, but nothing specifically that caters to women of wounded
sailors and marines.
Many are wondering how
San Diego’s military will be affected with the current talks of sequestration
cuts in Congress. If lawmakers can’t come up with a deal, $1.2 trillion in cuts
will automatically take effect on March 1. About half a trillion will affect
the Department of Defense.
Late last year,
lawmakers on both sides agreed not to cut programs supporting, physically and
mentally, the returning injured troops and the spouses. Many anticipate
sequestration cuts to affect defense contractors in San Diego and military
size, rather than the support programs.
“It’s hard, it’s not
easy and it was really challenging, but I’m glad he came home. I think it’s
better than the alternative,” said Jessica.
The Beligh’s now cycle
together through a rehabilitation program through the Naval Medical Center.
Tim’s injuries have almost healed, though he continues a physical therapy
regimen.
Click here for more information on how to get involved with Barbara
McNally’s and Armed Services YMCA “Empty your Cup.”
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