Washington, D.C. (CLARKSVILLENOW) — The Elizabeth Dole Foundation announced Mari Linfoot of Adams, Tennessee, will join its 2020 class of Dole Caregiver Fellows.
Linfoot joins 30 military and veteran caregivers who have been carefully selected from across the country to represent those Americans caring for a wounded, ill, or injured service member or veteran at home. “The role of these Fellows has never been more important as caregivers are under unprecedented stress due to the threat of the coronavirus,” the Foundation said in a statement.
In 2008, Gary Linfoot, Mari’s husband, was a special operations helicopter pilot on his 20th deployment to Iraq when a mechanical failure caused a hard landing that left him paralyzed below the waist.
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After receiving the initial phone call about Gary’s injury, Mari left her teenage children at their home in Adams, and met Gary at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland. Mari learned from medical staff how to care for Gary and prepare him for how his injuries impacted and changed his body. Within a few weeks, she was providing nearly all his nursing care under the supervision of the staff. During the years that followed, she also helped Gary through the dark emotional moments of adjusting to their new lifestyle.
Mari and Gary relied on mobility assistance equipment to restore some of Gary’s independence.
When they discovered that the right mobility equipment was a key factor to a more independent and fulfilling life, they worked with several nonprofit veteran organizations to help get the equipment to other veterans. Later on they realized many civilians lacked the same access to this life changing equipment and began their own nonprofit, American Mobility Project, to bring mobility assistance equipment to those civilians in need.
Today, Mari assists Gary with the things that he cannot do in his wheelchair and transports their mobility equipment when they are traveling. She has also had to learn how to be a caregiver while requiring her own care while undergoing multiple surgeries and treating a nerve disorder.
In addition to their nonprofit, Mari has spent countless hours volunteering for many organizations such as Infinite Hero Foundation, Tribute to Valor, American Airlines Veterans Initiatives Program and Air Power Foundation. After 25 years, she retired her real estate license to devote her time to caregiving, American Mobility Project, and other nonprofits.
As a Dole Caregiver Fellow, Linfoot will serve as a leader, community organizer, and advocate for the nation’s 5.5 million military caregivers – the spouses, parents, family members, and friends who provide more than $14 billion in voluntary care annually to someone who served. They will join the 225 past and present Fellows who are trained by the Foundation and empowered to share their stories and perspectives directly with national leaders in the White House, Congress, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and other government agencies, as well as decision makers in the business, entertainment, faith, and nonprofit sectors. The Fellows will provide feedback to the Foundation, its coalition partners, and government and community leaders on the most pressing issues concerning military caregivers and influence positive change on behalf of these hidden heroes.
“Our eighth class of Dole Caregiver Fellows is bringing a new set of unique voices to our mission, but all share similar stories of strength, resilience, and hope in caring for their wounded warriors,” said Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “As they care for their veteran, we are grateful for their experiences, wisdom, and willingness to come together and advocate for their fellow hidden heroes. They are the heart and soul of our work.”
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