From Recognition to Relief: Supporting a Navajo Veteran
In August, Diné Naazbaa Partnership (DNP) attended a Navajo Code Talker event at the Fairgrounds in Window Rock, Arizona. The event was an opportunity to honor the legacy and service of Native American veterans while connecting with veterans and their families in the community.
Among those attending was Billy, a veteran who arrived in a wheelchair accompanied by his daughter. DNP Outreach Specialist Lenora Dez immediately noticed that Billy’s wheelchair appeared to be a concern and recognized an opportunity to offer support. Lenora spoke with Billy and his daughter about signing up for assistance and made plans to follow up with them the following week.
Billy’s family was not initially aware that support could be available to help him obtain a wheelchair. After his daughter signed him in at the event, Lenora followed up and quickly referred his case to a DNP Support Advocate. The team contacted the family and learned that Billy was in Farmington, New Mexico, staying with his son, Alexander, who would be serving as his caregiver moving forward.
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For Alexander, becoming his father’s caregiver was a new responsibility. He was learning how to navigate the process of requesting assistance and understanding what his father would need to remain safe and comfortable at home. DNP stayed connected with Alexander, helping him navigate available resources and advocating for the equipment his father needed.
The opportunity to help grew even further when Lenora traveled to Lakeside, Arizona, where she was able to pick up additional donated equipment. Among the items available were a wheelchair and a Hoyer lift, an important piece of equipment that would make a significant difference for Billy and his son.
Alexander was surprised and grateful to learn that a Hoyer lift was also available. As Billy became increasingly difficult for his son to lift safely on his own, the equipment would provide much-needed support and make caregiving more manageable.
DNP continued communicating with Alexander throughout the process to ensure he knew what assistance was coming and what to expect. In September, the wheelchair and Hoyer lift were delivered to the family.
Before leaving, Lenora made sure the Hoyer lift was functioning properly and confirmed that everything was working as it should. What began with a simple conversation at a community event turned into tangible support for a veteran and his caregiver.
Billy received the wheelchair he needed, while Alexander gained equipment that would help him care for his father more safely and confidently.
This story is a powerful example of what can happen when outreach, advocacy, and community partnerships come together. Through the collaboration of the Diné Naazbaa Partnership, Fishers of Men, and NAIV (National American Indian Veterans), a need was recognized, a connection was made, and support was delivered directly to a veteran’s home.
For Billy and Alexander, the result was simple but meaningful: a veteran with the equipment he needed, and a son with the support to continue caring for his father.
Do you Know a Vet? Tell a Vet!® about Dine Naazbaa Partnership today by registering to be a Champion for veterans across the nation. We can’t reach every veteran alone, but with your help, veterans and their families will be supported.
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