Micha Kohl
As a Dole Caregiver Fellow, Micha Kohl is ready to make sure her elected officials understand how much America relies on military and veteran caregivers. She says, “Caregivers are the frontline first responders in the care of our veterans. They see their veterans at their best and at their worst. I am my veteran’s mental health coach, cook, maid, nurse, chauffeur, personal shopper, banker, and IT support person.”
Micha’s son Jonathon served as a U.S. Army officer in the wars following the attacks on September 11, 2001. He was trained as an Army Aviator and deployed to Afghanistan in December 2012. Four months into his deployment, Jonathon was injured in a helicopter crash. He sustained a fractured skull, traumatic brain injury (TBI), multiple spinal cord injuries and broken bones, and impact wounds to his heart. Today, he lives with mobility limitations, chronic pain, visual agnosia, and memory issues.
Following Jonathon’s injury, Micha moved to Maryland, so Jonathon could receive ongoing medical treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Her husband and Jonathon's father, Paul, a former Army officer who served on active duty before transitioning to the reserves and a 30-year career in the defense industry, spends much of his time with them. The family now splits their time between two states to support Jonathon’s care while maintaining their past home life.
In 2019, Micha resigned from her job to provide full-time care for Jonathon. Micha has navigated complex medical systems, advocating tirelessly for her son’s rehabilitation and well-being. She has also built strong connections with veteran service organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project, and Semper Fi and America’s Fund, hosting monthly caregiver support gatherings at Walter Reed and sharing resources based on her personal experience.
Micha’s caregiving journey is rooted in resilience and unwavering dedication. Since Jonathon’s injury, he has improved from being fully reliant on a wheelchair to walking with a cane. She also ensures Jonathon remains engaged in enriching social activities including adaptive cycling, golf, drone building and flying, and training service dogs.