Local Vet, Wife To Get Help From Pro Organizers

ATHENS, GA — An Athens-area Army veteran and his wife will be getting some help from 11 professional organizers next week.

Josh and Valerie Dickey live in Bogart. And they've struggled with the fallout of injuries Josh received during his tour of duty in Iraq in 2003.

Josh, 34, sustained a brain injury through blast exposure and lives with post-traumatic stress disorder. His injury also has caused short-term memory loss, balance issues, depression, anxiety and other physical ailments.

Valerie was forced to quit her job and is now a full-time caregiver for Josh.

"I worry every time I leave the house," said Valerie, 31, in a written release. "His balance is affected, so he often injures himself while trying to do basic household chores."

Josh is no longer able to drive safely, so relies on Valerie to get him to the many doctor’s appointments and therapy sessions that are now a constant in their lives.

The Georgia chapter of National Association of Professional Organizers became aware of the Dickeys' situation through a counselor at Shepherd Center in Atlanta who has been working with the family.

On Monday, the team of organizers will tackle the Dickey's house, helping to re-establish a comfortable order there.

Valerie said keeping up with the house has become overwhelming, especially after their home sustained severe water damage during heavy rains last year.

"Your home should be your sanctuary, your place to find peace, relax and regenerate to face the difficulties of daily life," said Kristin Diver, Georgia chapter president of the National Association of Professional Organizers. "We help people sort through the clutter, come up with systems and strategies to help them stay organized.

"It’s a great responsibility and stress to take care of the person you love, living with a disability. If we can help just one veteran by making their home a little more comfortable, it’s a great way for us to say thank you for their service."

Recently, the heavy burden to caregivers of veterans and active-duty military personnel became the focus of a Capitol Hill campaign launched by actor Tom Hanks and former senator Elizabeth Dole called the Hidden Heroes Campaign.

Photo courtesy NAPO Georgia