Fund set up to aid soldier’s recovery

published 11.27.07

    A special fund has been set up to accept donations on behalf of Army Spc. Evan Mettie, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in the Iraq war two years ago.   

    Money raised will be used to build an addition onto the Selah home of his parents, Denise and Dave Mettie, so they can better care for their son. Donations can be made at any U.S. Bank in the county under the name of Evan Mettie.

    Mettie, 24, arrived last week at Garden Village, a skilled-care facility in Yakima, from a private rehabilitation hospital in New Jersey. He had been shuttled between military hospitals and Veterans Administration facilities since a suicide bomber struck his patrol vehicle outside Mosul.

    Sara Earthdove-Tinker, a Selah resident who until recently didn't know the Metties, decided to set up the fund after reading about their son's injuries. Her son-in-law is serving in Iraq.

    "My hope is to really get the word out so that the community is aware of this new fund for soldier Mettie," Earthdove-Tinker said in an e-mail. "Whatever we do for our brothers and sisters, we do for ourselves."

    The Metties have been critical of the government's handling of soldiers who suffer traumatic brain injuries. But they believe that their son, along with other victims, has raised the profile on what has become the Iraq war's signature injury.

    Denise Mettie said the family is applying for grants from the Veterans Administration, but that such grants are capped and don't cover all the costs. For example, the cost of modifying a vehicle to accommodate a wheelchair is about $20,000. But the VA grant is limited to $11,000, she said.

    The Metties are in the process of getting construction estimates on the new addition. Denise said the final bill likely will significantly exceed a VA grant program capped at $50,000. They want the addition to include a bathroom and space for physical therapy.

    Denise Mettie chronicles her family's daily life with her son at www.caringbridge.com. Search under his name.

by Leah Beth Ward