After five years with no income, wife of disabled vet finally receives financial support through new legislation for caregivers

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

For nearly five years without income, Aimee Zmysly relied on love and charity as she cared full time for her severely disabled husband, Afghanistan and Iraq Marine veteran Yuriy Zmysly. (The couple is pictured.)

Now -- thanks to a new act passed with bipartisan support and signed by President Obama -- the government's finally helping out with cash.

The Zmyslys, whose story was featured in the Chicago Sun-Times last month, traveled from their Oak Lawn home Sunday to join Sen. Dick Durbin in downtown Chicago and welcome passage of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act. It extends veterans' medical benefits and grants stipends of up to $35,000 a year to family members who give full-time, around-the-clock care to veterans.

"This will really help -- it's been so hard because I can't get a job," said Aimee Zmysly. She was refused government help after routine surgery at a military hospital went wrong in 2005, leaving Yuriy with severe brain injuries.

Now, in addition to the stipend payments, the Zmyslys should be eligible for 30 days of respite care, allowing Aimee to take a break.

Durbin, who cited the Zmyslys' situation when pushing for the bill last year, said he expects about 2,000 caregivers nationwide to benefit.

"They were in a heartbreaking situation," he said. "The stipend is not huge, but it should make a big difference."