A Disabled Military Spouse? What?

Hi, everyone!

My name is Amanda Krieger, and I am the newest Experience Contributor for Army Wife Network.

I am an Army wife of four years, and it’s been quite the journey to get here.

I was born in Charleston, South Carolina, the first of four kids. As a result of some medical error and forceps, I had an intracranial bleed and needed a shunt placed. I have since had a few surgeries for partial replacement. I also have a mild case of cerebral palsy.

My childhood was filled with doctor appointments, accommodations, and adaptive activities. I tried everything I could: tee-ball, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, ballet, and horseback riding. Each of these made me feel free. I could be active and disabled. I could be myself.

Despite my high activity level, I wasn’t expected to graduate high school, much less college or grad school. Cerebral palsy brought some learning challenges with it. I overcame the “you’re not going to be able to do that” attitude of my doctors by studying hard and forcing myself to ask for help (as well as a few medical procedures, but those are another story). I now hold a BA in Theology from Ave Maria University, an MA in Theology and Christian Ministry from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, and an MA in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University.

l am currently a stay-at-home mom here on Fort Drum. I spend my days taking care of myself (learning how to best fuel my body and exercise) and my family. One more thing you should know about me, as it has shaped my military life experience and what I will share with you in my posts on AWN: I can’t drive.

You may be asking yourself at this point, “Well, how in earth does she do this life, then?”

Patience, dear friends. I look forward to sharing that huge element of my life with you next time.