Lucie Piper

Lucienne Piper understands how to deliver support to families and individuals in crisis. Before her husband required her full-time care, Lucienne was a social worker who served as the Assistant Director of Prevention Services at an area crisis center. After caregiving forced her to leave the demanding role, she has continued helping those who served and their loved ones both professionally and in volunteer positions through organizations such as Wounded Warrior Project, Blue Star Families, and Donor Outreach for Veterans.  

In 2009, Lucienne’s husband Brendan enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was trained as a Low Altitude Air Defense Gunner and deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. After he returned home, Brendan developed PTSD, chronic pain, and a substance use disorder. He also experienced signs of the kidney disease that would worsen after his 2017 discharge. Brendan has since gone into kidney failure.

Lucienne has spent nearly a decade managing and monitoring his symptoms, though her journey became more challenging after a sudden downturn in his kidney health in 2024. She said her husband went from being the primary financial contributor, a highly engaged veteran support specialist, and an involved father to nearly bedridden, seemingly overnight.  

During her caregiving experience, Lucienne has observed how veteran dependents are often overlooked by support systems. The lack of resources and recognition has inspired her to pursue a PhD on veteran family support. Through it all, she has focused on her own family’s wellbeing too, saying, “We prioritize honest, developmentally appropriate conversations, emotional support, and advocacy to ensure our children feel seen, supported, and empowered rather than defined by illness.”