Tiffany Andrews claims the Biden-Harris administration overlooked her family's struggle following her son's injuries in the Kabul terrorist attack.
The Daily Caller reported that Marine Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews, son of Tiffany Andrews, was severely injured during the U.S. evacuation from Kabul on August 26, 2021. The attack left him with life-altering injuries, including the loss of his right arm and left leg.
Following the tragedy, Tiffany Andrews relocated to Walter Reed Hospital to be closer to Tyler, pausing her life and business. Her dedication was initially met with support from high-ranking officials.
During the early days of Tyler's recovery, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited him at Walter Reed. This personal touch was a significant gesture for the Andrews family.
The First Lady, involved in the Joining Forces initiative for military families, also made a personal call to Tiffany Andrews, expressing support and gratitude for her son's service.
However, as the weeks turned into months, the responsiveness from the administration began to wane. Tiffany felt that her family's ongoing struggles were being ignored.
Tiffany Andrews described the initial support as encouraging, but soon, the communication from the First Lady’s office and other administration contacts diminished.
"That’s all...I received from the Biden-Harris administration in the three years since my son was severely wounded in the Kabul terrorist attack," Tiffany lamented about the lack of continued engagement.
This perceived neglect led her to advocate for better support systems for caregivers of injured service members.
Despite feeling neglected by current policy measures, Tiffany Andrews has been inspired to push for legislative changes to better support families like hers.
"My naivety, right? I’m thinking the government’s going to swoop in and take care of us. Oh, God, was I so wrong," she expressed, recounting her initial expectations.
The executive order signed by President Biden aimed to enhance support for military families, yet Tiffany found it inadequate for the complexities her family faced.
Financially, the Andrews family found some relief through non-profits and a GoFundMe campaign set up to assist with their needs.
Moreover, Tyler’s determination to engage with President Biden during his hospital visit, despite his pain, highlights the family’s resilience. "Tyler stopped all his medication because he wanted to be cognitive... he wanted to have a present conversation with the president," Tiffany shared.
This strong desire for meaningful interaction, however, did not culminate in the support they had hoped for.
"The Biden administration just blew [my mom off when she reached out]. They just wrote her off. They didn’t care," Tyler Vargas-Andrews said, echoing his mother’s feelings of abandonment.
Tiffany continues to work tirelessly, advocating for legislative changes and supporting child abuse prevention. "I’ve learned as a leader that sometimes you have to navigate your direction... I have a list right now, and every day I work a little bit on that list," she said.
The journey of the Andrews family is far from over, as they navigate the aftermath of a personal tragedy while pushing for systemic changes to support others in similar situations.
