Austin Carrigg’s journey with the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) began soon after her husband enlisted in 2002. Their oldest son was enrolled in the program due to respiratory issues, which canceled their orders to Germany and instead sent them to Fort Campbell, where her husband deployed shortly after.
Their second child, born after that deployment, had even greater medical needs.
“That kiddo had a lot more going on medically than our first one,” Carrigg told We Are The Mighty. “And somewhere along the way, things just kept piling on medically to the point where we ended up at Fort Benning, and our medical team there was like, ‘Look, your child is in real danger.’”
Their son’s more complex medical needs–severe allergic reactions without exposure meant a lot of ambulance rides and time in the ER – and eventually, reassignment to Boston for specialized care, separating her husband from a traditional infantry path.
“And we worried, you know, everybody says it’s going to ruin your career,” Carrigg said.
Fearing their son’s genetic condition might affect future biological children, the Carriggs chose to adopt a child with special needs. They brought home a baby girl with Down Syndrome, deafness, and a heart defect.
“I thought, okay, we can handle this,” she said.
Within weeks, she underwent open-heart surgery and nearly died.
“We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, and I’m glad, because she is the greatest thing that’s happened to us, but that was the moment where we realized that life was going to be very, very different for us.”
Orders soon moved them from Boston to Washington State, but their daughter wasn’t yet enrolled in EFMP because she hadn’t been seen at a military treatment facility. Upon arrival, doctors said she shouldn’t have been sent there at all.
“We were told our only choices were to follow orders or my husband could get out of the Army,” she recalled.
Carrigg fought for two years before securing a move to the Washington, D.C. area.
There, she became active in defending Medicaid coverage when proposed ACA changes threatened access to critical surgeries that Tricare wouldn’t cover.
“Our daughter would have died without Medicaid,” she said, recalling how a hospital required a deposit for her open-heart surgery.
In 2020, Carrigg testified before Congress about EFMP challenges. Messages poured in from families across the country, seeking help, sharing similar experiences, and inquiring about how to create change. Realizing no organization existed solely for EFMP families, she began building a nonprofit.
Exceptional Families of the Military’s nonprofit status was approved in 2021. It launched with three core missions: peer-to-peer support, legislative and policy advocacy, and direct family assistance. Her initial advocacy Facebook group has grown to over 15,000 members across all branches of service. Legislative wins include changing Tricare policy so primary caregivers with nursing support can work or attend school.
The nonprofit also runs a micro-grant program, offering $30 for expenses such as hospital parking, gas, or food during long medical appointments—small amounts that have proven life-changing for families who often must choose between therapy travel and basic groceries.
“No one should have to make that choice, especially not these families who are already dealing with so much.”
Although she never received formal training to run a nonprofit, Carrigg taught herself through research, networking, and advice from volunteers. Her husband’s words, “No one knows you don’t belong unless you act like you don’t belong,” helped her walk into rooms with decision-makers and advocate for change.
Looking ahead, she’s applying for grants to expand assistance, including portable safety equipment for medically fragile children during PCS moves. Her hope: that one day, military systems will fill these gaps, allowing her nonprofit to focus solely on community building.
Through two decades of marriage, three children with significant needs, and countless relocations, EFMP has reshaped the Carriggs’ path—but not ended opportunity in the military. Her husband, now a Sergeant Major, has achieved career milestones despite an unconventional route. Together, they’ve built a legacy ensuring EFMP families are seen, heard, and supported.
