Hi, my name is Heather Underwood, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my husband, Tony, a proud Air Force veteran who sustained a traumatic brain injury while serving in 2015. Not long after, Tony began having seizures and serious memory issues. For years, he pushed through it all — working hard, supporting our family, and doing everything he could to keep moving forward despite his invisible wounds.

Thankfully, with medication, Tony’s seizures were under control for nearly eight years. But this past April, they returned suddenly and severely. Since then, Tony hasn’t been able to work, and our family of four has been struggling to stay afloat.

We’ve been fighting for years to get Tony the support he deserves through the VA. Incredibly, they’ve only given him a 30% disability rating for his TBI and seizures — far below what’s fair for the life-changing conditions he’s endured. We filed an appeal in August 2023 and have been waiting on a decision from a VA judge in Washington ever since. The wait is agonizing, and we are down to the last of our savings and are unsure of how we will be paying our bills next month.

I’m working as much as I can, but with two young kids to care for — and Tony needing daily help and supervision — it’s a constant balancing act. I also have to take a lot of time off work to get Tony to his many doctor appointments, which has made our financial situation even more difficult. We’ve always done our best to stay independent and strong, but now we’re asking for help.

We’re humbly asking for any support you can give — whether it’s $5, $50, or just a share of our story. Donations will help us cover basic needs like our mortgage, groceries, and utilities until we (hopefully) hear back from the VA.

Tony served his country. Now, he just wants to be here for his family and heal in peace. Thank you for reading and for helping if you can.

With love and gratitude,

The Underwood family